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$106,500 Awarded to Whistle Blowing FL Jail Nurse
A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, entered a verdict in favor of Angela
Wilson, who claimed that she was fired as an employee of the Palm Beach
County Health Department for revealing illegal activities at her job.
Wilson, who was fired on August 11, 2002, filed a complaint to the Chief
Inspector of the Executive Office of the Governor, alleging issues of
confidential patient information on HIV positive states was released to
third parties without the patients' approval. In addition, one of Wilson's
fellow employees, with a supervisor's knowledge, was falsely reporting she
was providing counseling services to Palm Beach County Jail prisoners that
never occurred.
Wilson attempted to resolve her concerns internally. Shortly after filing
her complaint with the Inspector General, she was terminated. The jury
found Wilson made a good faith complaint of violations that created a
substantial and specific damper to the public's health, safety or welfare.
Its May 3, 2005, verdict found that the termination decision was not
completely unrelated to protected activity, awarding Wilson $62,500 back
pay; $9,000 in benefits; and $35,000 compensatory damages. The trial Court
also ordered Wilson's employment reinstated.
See: Wilson v. Palm Beach County Health Department, Palm Beach County
Circuit Court, Case No. 03-8006 AE.
Wilson, who claimed that she was fired as an employee of the Palm Beach
County Health Department for revealing illegal activities at her job.
Wilson, who was fired on August 11, 2002, filed a complaint to the Chief
Inspector of the Executive Office of the Governor, alleging issues of
confidential patient information on HIV positive states was released to
third parties without the patients' approval. In addition, one of Wilson's
fellow employees, with a supervisor's knowledge, was falsely reporting she
was providing counseling services to Palm Beach County Jail prisoners that
never occurred.
Wilson attempted to resolve her concerns internally. Shortly after filing
her complaint with the Inspector General, she was terminated. The jury
found Wilson made a good faith complaint of violations that created a
substantial and specific damper to the public's health, safety or welfare.
Its May 3, 2005, verdict found that the termination decision was not
completely unrelated to protected activity, awarding Wilson $62,500 back
pay; $9,000 in benefits; and $35,000 compensatory damages. The trial Court
also ordered Wilson's employment reinstated.
See: Wilson v. Palm Beach County Health Department, Palm Beach County
Circuit Court, Case No. 03-8006 AE.
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Related legal case
Wilson v. Palm Beach County Health Department
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Case No. 03-8006 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 106500 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |