A bank employee who was dismissed from her job after her branch manager falsely accused her of assault has won a $500,000 defamation verdict against the manager and the bank that formerly employed them.
The employee, Lydia Cook, had reported several complaints about manager Robyn Clevinger to upper management. Clevinger retaliated by filing a report with the bank’s human resources officer claiming that Cook had injured her by “hugging” her so hard that it bruised her arms and hurt her neck. Their employer, Regions Bank, ultimately fired Cook for violating the bank’s zero tolerance policy against workplace violence.
Cook sued for defamation in Hampton County court, claiming that Clevinger had damaged her reputation by falsely accusing her of the crime of assault and battery. After the four-day trial, the jury was out for only an hour before returning a $500,000 verdict against Clevinger and Regions Bank on Jan. 16—awarding Cook $375,000 in actual damages and $125,000 in punitive damages.
John E. Parker of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth, & Detrick in Hampton, one of Cook’s attorneys, said her case was bolstered by a letter provided by her physician stating that it would have been physically impossible for Cook to have injured Clevinger as was alleged because of Cook’s arthritic condition.
But Parker said that even without the helpful medical evidence, Cook still would have had a strong case because the suit hinged on Clevinger’s credibility, and there was much evidence to show that she had made similar claims in the past. Additionally, Clevinger herself was terminated by the bank for engaging in deceptive and untruthful conduct related to removing documents from the branch.
Parker said Cook was out of work for about 18 months after the bank terminated her employment. Cook presented testimony at trial from doctor her family members that the unemployment caused her a significant amount of emotional distress.
William F. Barnes III of Peters Murdaugh also represented Cook. John H. Tiller and Amy F. Bower of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Charleston represented Regions Bank. Mitch Griffith of Griffith Sadler & Sharp in Beaufort represented Clevinger.
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VERDICT REPORT: DEFAMATION
Case name: Lydia Cook v. Regions Bank and Robyn Clevinger
Case number: 2011-CP-25-343
Court: Hampton County Court of Common Pleas
Judge: Brooks P. Goldsmith
Amount: $500,000 ($375,000 in actual damages; $125,000 in punitive damages)
Date of verdict: Jan. 16
Attorneys for plaintiffs: John E. Parker and William F. Barnes III (Hampton)
Attorneys for defendants: John H. Tiller and Amy F. Bower (Charleston); Mitch Griffith (Beaufort)