Sometimes our judicial system gives us legal outcomes that just make you laugh…or cry, depending on your point of view. This case illustrates one such example.
About two years ago, activists who were part of the Occupy movement at the University of California, were caught on video being pepper sprayed by Lt. John Pike of the UC Davis campus police after they had sat down and refused orders by offices to leave the area.
The video of Davis pepper spraying the Occupy members went viral, causing Davis to receive more than 17,000 threatening emails and over 10,000 similar texts as well as letters accosting him for his conduct. As a result, Davis filed a Worker’s Compensation claim with his employer, seeking benefits for what he classified as a “psychiatric injury” that he had suffered from receiving all of these angry and threatening communications. Call him crazy, but Davis won.
Recently, Davis was awarded $38,000 in worker’s compensation benefits by the University. What is particularly enlightening about this award was that it was more than what the individual demonstrators received from the University, the same ones who were pepper sprayed by Davis. Indeed, after attorney fees and costs, it is estimated that the individual Occupy members who were pepper sprayed by Davis each received about $30,000.
Something to take away from this blog is that you never know what legal rights you may be entitled to so if you are an employee who has suffered from what you consider to be wrongful workplace behavior or conduct, never hesitate to call the right attorney at 866-797-6040 to schedule a free and confidential consultation and learn more about your rights.
If you have been fired, discriminated against, denied wages, or even think that you might need an employment lawyer, then it would be best to call the right attorney to schedule a free and confidential consultation at 866-797-6040. Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm and its attorneys are experienced and dedicated to protecting employees’ rights and solving employment disputes.
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The materials available at the top of this page and at this employment law website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. It would be best for to contact an Ohio attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular employment law issue or problem. Use and access to this employment law website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The legal opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual lawyer and may not reflect the opinions of Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm, Brian Spitz, or any individual attorney.