Jury Awarded $1 million to Police Sergeant in Retaliation Case
Tennessee employees as well as employees all across the country work hard for their money and they deserve to work in a safe and friendly work environment. They also should be able to by law report problems with their workplace without fear of retaliation or being terminated if they do so. Unfortunately, Tennessee whistle blower claims are on the rise. According to a recent lawsuit, Sergeant James Abbate claims he was targeted for retaliation after he reported that his superior Captain Ruben De La Torre had avoided tolls for months during this commute to work. Abbate claimed that he was told by another officer that Captain De La Torre put duct tape on his rear license plate in order to avoid toll road cameras. In the lawsuit, Torre claimed that his grandchildren had placed it on the plate. Also, according to the lawsuit after Abbate voiced his concerns, he was switched from evening to day shifts making it hard for him to take care of his mother. Abbate also received two complaints claiming that he was neglecting his duties. Abbate was cleared of any wrong doing however; De La Torre changed the evidence for the complaints so that they would still stand. De La Torre resigned last year following an investigation.
The jury awarded Abbate $1 million for emotional damages as well as for future lost wages. Abbate had been with the police department for thirty years and stated that he did not expect this verdict to affect his performance and duties at the police department.
Unfortunately, cases just like this one occur all too often to employees all across the country and even right here to the employees of Tennessee. If you feel that you or someone you work with has been retaliated against or terminated after reporting a concern or problem, then we strongly suggest that you contact one of our experienced and compassionate Tennessee labor lawyers. We care about our clients and will work with you to see to it that you receive the compensation you are entitled to by law.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
