Law Office of Renia Zadourian and Diversity Law Group Secure $10.26 Million Federal Jury Verdict in California Employment Retaliation Case
# Law Office of Renia Zadourian and Diversity Law Group Secure $10.26 Million Federal Jury Verdict in California Employment Retaliation Case
**LOS ANGELES, CA — September 2026** — A federal jury in Los Angeles awarded **$10,260,080** to Daniel Stein, a former Waymo roadside assistant employed by Transdev Alternative Services, Inc., after finding that the company retaliated against him after he reported serious workplace and public-safety concerns.
The verdict, returned on **September 11, 2026**, included **$260,080 in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages**.
The case, *Daniel Stein v. Transdev Alternative Services, Inc., et al.*, Case No. 2:25-cv-05236-MWC-MAR, was tried in the **U.S. District Court for the Central District of California**.
Stein was represented by **Renia Zadourian of the Law Office of Renia Zadourian APC and Larry W. Lee of Diversity Law Group PC, serving as co-counsel**.
## Workplace Safety Complaint Leads to Retaliation Claim
The case arose from an incident on January 15, 2024, when Stein was working as a roadside assistant supporting Waymo autonomous vehicles.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Stein and a co-worker were following company-mandated GPS directions when the navigation system directed them into a downtown Los Angeles street takeover.
The incident involved approximately 200 parked vehicles, pedestrians, cars performing donuts, fireworks, bonfires and a significant police presence. The activity prevented the crew from safely exiting the area.
Stein notified management by company phone and walkie-talkie that he and his co-worker were surrounded, could not safely move, and would temporarily go offline. He also briefly exited the vehicle to document the situation and sent photographs to management.
The evidence at trial established that Stein subsequently faced disciplinary action and was placed on administrative leave. He was terminated two days later.
Stein contended that the company's stated reason for his termination — cellphone use while the vehicle was allegedly not in park — was a pretext for retaliation based on his safety-related complaints and protected activity.
## Jury Finds for Plaintiff on Every Liability Question
The jury found in Stein's favor on **every liability question**.
Jurors found that Stein reported suspected violations involving public safety standards, traffic laws and occupational safety regulations to an authorized Transdev employee, and that his disclosures contributed to his termination.
The jury also found that Stein's complaint regarding unsafe conditions was substantially motivating in his termination and that Transdev fired him for refusing work that would violate an occupational safety standard and create a real and apparent hazard, as well as for disclosing information concerning working conditions.
The verdict found Transdev liable under **four California Labor Code whistleblower provisions**.
The jury further determined that one or more Transdev officers, directors or managing agents acted with **malice, oppression or fraud**, supporting the $10 million punitive damages award.
## Two Trials Before the $10.26 Million Verdict
The case proceeded through two federal trials.
The first trial ended in a mistrial in August 2026 after the jury reportedly split **6–2 in Stein's favor**. A second trial began shortly after Labor Day and resulted in the September 11 verdict awarding $10,260,080.
Following the verdict, co-counsel Larry W. Lee stated that the legal team was pleased that the second jury recognized the significance of Stein's conduct and the evidence presented at trial.
Zadourian, who represents employees in California employment matters, emphasized the importance of protecting employees who raise legitimate workplace safety concerns.
> “Employees should not have to choose between following their employer's directives and raising legitimate safety concerns,” said Zadourian. “We are grateful that the jury carefully considered the evidence and recognized the significance of what happened to Mr. Stein.”
## About the Attorneys
**Renia Zadourian** is the founder of the **Law Office of Renia Zadourian APC**, a California plaintiff-side employment law practice representing employees in workplace matters, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and other employment-related disputes.
**Larry W. Lee** is an attorney with **Diversity Law Group PC** and served as co-counsel for Stein in the matter.
The verdict remains subject to any applicable post-trial proceedings and appellate review.