In 2016, plaintiff Andrew Rudnicki, 63, an attorney, was terminated by his employer, Farmers Insurance Exchange. Rudnicki was senior vice president of claims litigation. Rudnicki had been a potential witness in a class-action lawsuit that alleged gender-based workplace discrimination at Farmers. Rudnicki had also claimed that he had been subjected to discrimination based on his age and a cardiovascular condition. Rudnicki’s termination occurred shortly after Farmers had settled the class-action suit. Rudnicki sued Farmers Insurance Exchange; its parent organizations, Farmers Group Inc. and Farmers Insurance Group; and several related entities, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Zurich, Zurich Insurance, Zurich Insurance Co. and Zurich North America. The lawsuit alleged that Rudnicki was subjected to discrimination, retaliatory acts and a wrongful termination. Farmers Insurance Group, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, Zurich, Zurich Insurance, Zurich Insurance Co. and Zurich North America were dismissed. The matter proceeded to a trial against Farmers Group and Farmers Insurance Exchange. Rudnicki claimed that Farmers blamed him for the class-action lawsuit and that Farmers anticipated that he would reveal the company’s pay practices if he testified. The defense contended that Rudnicki was terminated for inappropriate comments and conduct with female co-workers, and for using poor judgment., Rudnicki worked for Farmers for 37 years prior to his termination. He claimed that he suffered emotional distress. He sought recovery of damages for past and future loss of earnings, damages for emotional suffering, and punitive damages.