February 05, 2009 : Wendi D. Barish Prevails in Negligent Hiring/Supervision Trial

Partner Wendi D. Barish secured a defense verdict on behalf of a home healthcare company after a jury trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The trial involved claims of negligent hiring, negligent supervision, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.

 

Ms. Barish represented a home-healthcare agency that employed a worker who pled guilty to charges of access device fraud.  The plaintiff was a woman who suffered a debilitating stroke at a young age, and required the assistance of a home healthcare worker.  The worker was alleged to have manipulated and abused the plaintiff.  The plaintiff sought to hold the employer accountable for the actions of the employee under a variety of theories.  After two-and-one-half weeks of trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of all defendants. Plaintiff’s counsel filed post-trial motions that were denied by the Court of Common Pleas.