Berg v. Consolidated Freightways, Inc.的案件
Employee filed action in trespass for slander against former employer. The Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, Civil Division, No. 3327 January 1975, Ross, J., entered judgment on a jury verdict in favor of the employee, and denied employer's motions for a new trial and for judgment n. o. v. Appeal was taken. The Superior Court, Nos. 291 and 331 April Term, 1979, Hester, J., held that: (1) where employee was forced to resign amidst an investigation for theft, along with the actual thieves, and employer made communications to others reflecting upon employee's character and reputation, which were proved to be untrue, employee could maintain action against employer for slander, and issue of whether injury to employee's reputation was caused by employer's actions was question for jury; (2) the trial court's charge as to the qualified privilege of the employer was correct; and (3) award of $40,600 to the employee who lost approximately ten months wages following his discharge, plus another year due to employer's conduct, and who suffered anxiety, humiliation and damage to his reputation was not out of line