Trial Errors Nix Dental Device Worker’s $31 Million Age Bias Win

Danaher Corp. and four related companies convinced a California appeals court to overturn a former employee’s more than $31 million jury verdict for alleged age harassment and discrimination based on the improper exclusion of evidence challenging the “me too” testimony of other older workers.

Codie Rael sued Sybron Dental Specialties Inc., KaVo Kerr Group, Kerr Corp., Ormco Corp., and Danaher under California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act. She and her two fellow materials buyers in the companies’ SybronEndo division, who were also 40 years old or older, were pushed out by the boss and replaced with younger, less expensive workers, ...