Donelson v. DuPont Chambers Works, A-2028-08T1; Appellate Division; opinion by Baxter, J.A.D.; decided and approved for publication February 24, 2010. Before Judges Lisa, Baxter and Coburn. On appeal from the Law Division, Salem County, L-37-05. [Sat below: Judge Farrell.] DDS No. 25-2-6906 [26 pp.]
This is an appeal by defendant DuPont Chambers Works from the denial of its post-trial motions after a jury awarded DuPont’s former employee, plaintiff John Seddon, $724,000 as compensatory damages and $500,000 as punitive damages, based on the jury’s finding of a violation of plaintiff’s rights under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA). The entire amount of the jury’s award of compensatory damages was for plaintiff’s economic loss. The jury awarded nothing for his emotional pain and suffering. Defendant also appeals from the trial judge’s award of attorneys’ fees to plaintiff of $523,289.
