Ferguson v. Exide Technologies, Inc.
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The Supreme Court reversed the order of the district court denying Defendants' motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on Plaintiff's claim for the common law tort of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy and affirmed the district court's rulings on Plaintiff's wrongful discharge claim based in a violation of Iowa Code 730.5, holding that a common law wrongful discharge claim was not available.
Plaintiff brought a claim under section 730.5, which provides civil remedies against employers for violating the workplace drug-testing provisions, and further asserted a claim for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing that the common law claim was preempted by the civil case of action provided under the statute. The district court denied the motion and granted summary judgment for Plaintiff. After a trial on the common law wrongful discharge claim the jury awarded Plaintiff damages. The Supreme Court reversed in part, holding (1) the civil cause of action provided by section 730.5 is the exclusive remedy for a violation of section 730.5; and (2) the portions of the jury's award that would be available under section 730.5 are upheld.
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