PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Donovan Searles, LLC announces a $78,468,415 verdict following a six-week class action jury trial against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). The verdict was entered in favor of a class of approximately 186,000 Pennsylvania hourly employees at Wal-Mart stores throughout the state.
The 12 members of the Philadelphia jury had earlier found on liability in favor of the plaintiffs on their claims that the employees had not been paid for time spent working off-the-clock or for missed 15-minute rest breaks. The jury also found that Wal-Mart did not have a good-faith contest or dispute when it failed to compensate the class members for the off-the-clock work and the missed rest breaks. Following the determination of liability, the jury then considered the question of damages.
Still remaining for consideration by the trial court, the Honorable Mark I. Bernstein, is the plaintiffs' motion for additional, liquidated damages which, under the Pennsylvania wage law, are valued at the greater of $500, or 25% of the total amount of wages due, for each employee. A decision on the motion is not expected for at least twenty days.
Trial counsel for plaintiffs and the class of employees were Michael D. Donovan, Esq. of the Philadelphia law firm of Donovan Searles, LLC, Judith L. Spanier, Esq. of the New York law firm of Abbey Spanier Rodd Abrams & Paradis, LLP, and Rodney P. Bridgers, Esq. of the Colorado law firm of Azar & Associates, P.C.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca
Please contact Michael D. Donovan at Donovan Searles, LLC, 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103; phone: (215)-732-6067 or (800) 619-1677 toll free; e-mail: mdonovan@donovansearles.com.