AGE DISCRIMINATION

PINELLAS CIRCUIT COURT

A jury awarded $2.36 million to a 71-year-old man who was fired because of his age.

On Aug. 27, 2013, Walter Randolph Samples was formally terminated. Plaintiffs counsel claimed the CEO of Insurance Administrative Solutions LLC told Samples' younger replacement that Samples was retiring even though the CEO knew Samples had no desire to retire. Counsel also claimed the CEO introduced Samples' replacement at a meeting as a “young man” and said Samples “isn't getting any younger.”

Defense counsel claimed Samples was fired because he was responsible for a decline in revenues and earnings. After a reduction in a punitive damages award, Samples should recover $2.1 million.

Case: Samples v. Insurance Administrative Solutions

Case No.: 14-002913-CI

Plaintiffs attorneys: Kendra D. Presswood and David S. Shankman, Shankman Leone, Tampa

Defense attorneys: Brett Owens and Marion F. Walker, Fisher & Phillips, Atlanta; Donald V. Watkins, Donald V. Watkins P.C., Birmingham, Alabama; Delos Harley Yancey IV, Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis, Rome, Georgia