On Feb. 11, 2013, plaintiff Marta Motamedi, 57, a certified ophthalmic technician at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, was terminated from her employment for improperly accepting free samples of a medication. Her supervisor, Donna Hurt, stated in a termination letter that Motamedi was fired for “gross misconduct.” Motamedi claimed that she was terminated in retaliation for taking medical leave, and for complaining of harassment and discrimination based on her age and disability. She also claimed that Hurt defamed her in the termination letter. Motamedi sued her employer, the Regents of the University of California; her former supervisor, Hurt; Julie Limfueco; Kathy Stanger; and Lyndsey Aldridge. Motamedi alleged that she was discriminated against because of her age and disability caused by physical and mental stress and that the Regents failed to prevent this discrimination. She also alleged that she was retaliated against her for taking medical leave from Aug. 24, 2012 to Sept. 27, 2012, and for complaining of harassment and discrimination based on her age and disability. Motamedi further alleged that the Regents and Hurt defamed her by using the term “gross misconduct” in her termination letter to describe the incident for which she was being terminated. In addition, Motamedi alleged that Limfueco, Stanger, and Aldridge harassed her. Defense counsel moved for summary adjudication, and it was granted in regards to the harassment claims against Limfueco, Stanger, and Aldridge. As a result, Limfueco, Stanger, and Aldridge were let out of the case, and matter only continued against the Regents and Hurt. Defense counsel denied all of Motamedi’s claims, and contended that all of the actions taken by the Regents and Hurt were based on legitimate, nondiscriminatory, and non-retaliatory reasons. Counsel also contended that the statements made about Motamedi were believed to be true, and were privileged and made without malice., Motamedi claimed that she suffered from emotional distress as a result of her treatment at work. The plaintiff’s psychology expert opined that Motamedi suffered from adjustment disorder with anxiety and major depressive disorder and that the condition was “caused by work.” Motamedi subsequently continued to see her therapist after she was released from employment with UC Irvine Medical Center. Motamedi worked as a certified ophthalmic technician at the UC Irvine Medical Center from 1999 to 2013. She claimed that as a result of her termination, she suffered $489,357 in past and future lost earnings. She also sought recovery of approximately $5,000 in past and future medical expenses, and $3 million in damages for her past and future emotional-distress damages. In addition, Motamedi sought recovery of punitive damages in regards to her defamation claim against the Regents and Hurt. Defense counsel disputed the extent of Motamedi’s alleged emotional distress. Counsel contended that Motamedi had previously been to counseling for issues unrelated to work and that Motamedi continued to see this therapist after she was terminated.