Teal v. Behave'n Day Center

Filing 61

PRETRIAL ORDER - estimated length of trial is 4 days; Jury Trial set for 3/14/2016 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 3, Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse, 111 South 18th Plaza, Omaha, NE before Senior Judge Joseph F. Bataillon. Ordered by Magistrate Judge F.A. Gossett. (GJG)

Fl LED

US DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
BRITTANY L. TEAL,

)

FEB I 9 2016

OFFICE OFTiiE CLERK
Case No. 8:14-CV-161

)

Plaintiff,

)
)

v.

)

ORDER ON FINAL
PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

)

BEHAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC.,
A Nebraska Corporation,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)

A final pretrial conference was held on the 19th day of February, 2016.
Appearing for the parties as counsel were:
Patrick M. Flood and Michael R. Peterson for Plaintiff.
Kathryn A. Dittrick and Rhianna A. Kittrell for Defendant.
(A) Exhibits. See attached Exhibit List and Designations of Deposition
Testimony and Discovery Responses.
Caution: Upon express approval of the judge holding the pretrial conference
for good cause shown, the parties may be authorized to defer listing of
exhibits or objections until a later date to be specified by the judge holding
the pretrial conference. The mere listing of an exhibit on an exhibit list by a
party does not mean it can be offered into evidence by the adverse party
without all necessary evidentiary prerequisites being met.
(B) Uncontroverted Facts. The parties have agreed that the following
may be accepted as established facts for purposes of this case only:

1.
2.

Plaintiff, Brittany L. Teal ("Plaintiff'), is a resident of the State of
Nebraska.
Defendant, Behave'n Day Center, Inc. ("Defendant"), is a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Its principal place
of business is located in the State ofNebraska.

1

•

3.

4.
5.

6.
7.

8.

Defendant operates a mental health day treatment program for
children with moderate to severe behavioral issues and also provides
therapy for families and children on an outpatient basis.
Defendant utilizes time-out rooms and barrier rooms as part of its
discipline policies for children attending the treatment program.
Plaintiff, a female, worked at Defendant's facility in Omaha from
April of 2011 until June 28, 2013, when her employment with
Defendant was terminated.
From November, 2012 through the date of her termination, Plaintiff
worked as the Program Coordinator at Defendant's Omaha facility.
Beginning in October of 2012, Gail Williams ("Williams") served as
Defendant's Clinical Director of the Omaha facility and was also
Plaintiffs supervisor.
Plaintiff was approximately five (5) months pregnant at the time of
her termination on June 28, 2013.

(C) Controverted and Unresolved Issues. The issues remaining to be
determined and unresolved matters for the court's attention are:
1.
Whether Plaintiff was meeting Defendant's legitimate job
expectations.
2.
Whether Defendant's termination of Plaintiffs employment constitutes
discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and/or related medical
conditions in violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
and amendments thereto.
3.
Whether Defendant's termination of Plaintiffs employment constitutes
discrimination on the basis of her sex and pregnancy related medical
conditions in violation of the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act.
4.
Whether Defendant's termination of Plaintiffs employment·
constituted unlawful retaliation in violation of the Nebraska Fair
Employment Practice Act.
5.
Whether Plaintiff engaged in a protected activity under the Nebraska
Fair Employment Practice Act.
2

6.

Whether there exists a causal connection between any protected
activity and the tennination of Plaintiffs employment.

7.

Whether Defendant's reason for tenninating Plaintiffs employment
was pretext for a discriminatory or retaliatory reason.

8.

Whether Defendant acted with malice and reckless indifference to
Plaintiffs federally protected rights.

9.

The nature and extent of damages Plaintiff suffered, if any, as a direct
and proximate result of Defendant's conduct.

10.

Whether Plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages, and if so, in what
amount.

11.

Whether Plaintiff is entitled to attorney's fees and costs, and if so, in
what amount.

12.

Whether Plaintiff was terminated for legitimate, non-discriminatory
reasons unrelated to her pregnant condition.

13.

Whether Plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages.

Pending Motions:

2.
(D)

Witnesses. All witnesses, including rebuttal witnesses, expected to be

called to testify by plaintiff, except those who may be called for impeachment
purposes as defined in NECivR 16.2(c) only, are:
1.
Plaintiff, Brittany L. Teal;
2.
Roger Peterson, Behave'n Kids Daycare, 20275 Honeysuckle Dr.,
Suite 103, Elkhorn, NE 68022;
3.
Gail Williams, Behave'n Kids Daycare, 8922 Cuming Street, Omaha,
NE 68114;
4.
Justin Nicola, 3524 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE 68105;
5.
KatyBowen,2011 S.152ndStreet,Omaha,NE68144;
6.
Lindsay Stehno, 4314 N. 169th Street, Omaha, NE 68116;
7.
Jessica Wachtler, 15138 Monroe Street, Omaha, NE 68137;

3

8.

Mark D. Carlson, M.D., Methodist Physicians Clinic, 8901 West
Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68114.

Plaintiff may also call the following witnesses, ifthe need arises:
1.

Janie Peterson, Behave'n Kids Daycare, 20275 Honeysuckle Dr.,
Suite 103, Elkhorn, NE 68022;
2.
Ashley Rose, 2622 N. 10th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68164;
3.
Carrie Rowell, Behave'n Kids Daycare, 20275 Honeysuckle Drive,
Suite 103, Elkhorn, NE 68022;
4.
Emily Deyke, Behave'n Kids Daycare, 8922 Cuming Street, Omaha,
NE 68114;
5,:.r,,; Kevin Schuller, 3410 8th Street, Columbus, NE 68601;
""'C"
lfofl'UM,H 3"1>r,.J,f I
6.
All witnesses 10entified by Defendant;
7.
Any witness for the purpose of impeachment or rebuttal; and
8.
Any witness required to lay foundation for any exhibit.
[List names and complete addresses of all persons who will testify in person
only. Such list shall identify those witnesses the party expects to be present
and those witnesses the party may call if the need arises, and shall also
identify, by placing an "(F)" following the name, each witness whose only
testimony is intended to establish foundation for an exhibit for which
foundation has not been waived.]
All witnesses expected to be called to testify by defendant, except those who
may be called for impeachment purposes as defined in NECivR 16.2(c) only, are:
1.

Plaintiff, Brittany L. Teal;

2.

Roger Peterson, Behave'n Day Center, 20275 Honeysuckle Drive,
Suite 103, Elkhorn, NE 68022; and

3.

Gail Williams, 2103 Dana Lane, Papillion, NE 68133.

4

Defendant may also call the following witnesses, ifthe need arises:
1.

Ashley Rose, 2522 North 109th Plaza, Apt. 204, Omaha, NE 68164;

2.

Carrie Rowell, 4613 North 160th Street, Omaha, NE 68116;

3.

Andrea Berry, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94934, Lincoln,
NE68509;

4.

All witnesses identified by Plaintiff;

5.

Any witness for the purpose of impeachment or rebuttal; and

6.

Any witness required to lay foundation for any exhibit.

It is understood that, except upon a showing of good cause, no witness
whose name and address does not appear herein shall be permitted to testify over

objection for any purpose except impeachment. A witness whose only testimony is
intended to establish foundation for an exhibit for which foundation has not been
waived shall not be permitted to testify for any other purpose, over objection,
unless such witness has been disclosed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
26(a)(3). A witness appearing on any party's witness list may be called by any
other party.
(E)

Expert Witnesses' Qualifications. Experts to be called by plaintiff

and their qualifications are:
None.
Experts to be called by defendant and their qualifications are:
None.

5

Voir Dire. Counsel have reviewed Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
47(a) and NECivR 47.2(a) and suggest the following with regard to the conduct of
juror examination:
(F)

The parties request that each side be given thirty (30) minutes to
question potential jurors.
(G) Number of Jurors. Counsel have reviewed Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 48 and NECivR 48.l and suggest that this matter be tried to a jury
composed of 12 members.
(H) Verdict. The parties will stipulate to a less-than-unanimous verdict.
The parties' stipulation is as follows: If the jurors are not able to reach a

unanimous verdict after eight (8) hours of deliberation, the parties stipulate to a
verdict agreed to by ten (I 0) of the jurors.

Briefs, Instructions, and Proposed Findings.
Counsel have
reviewed NECivR 39.2(a), 51.l(a), and 52.1, and suggest the following schedule
for filing trial briefs, proposed jury instructions, and proposed findings of fact, as
applicable:
(I)

Deadline to submit trial briefs and proposed jury instructions:
Monday, March 7, 2014.
(J) Length of Trial. Counsel estimate the length of trial will consume
not less than 2 day(s) and not more than 4 day(s).

6

(K)

Trial Date. Trial is set for Monday, March 14, 2016.

BY:~~(:a

Kathryn A. Di"ji3m
Rhianna A. Kittrell, #25366
FRASER STRYKER PC LLO
500 Energy Plaza
409 South 17th Street
Omaha, NE 68102-2663
[phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Attorneys for Defendant

Pa · M. Flood,
Michael R. Peterson, #23 44
Pansing Hogan Ernst & Bachman LLP
10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300
Omaha, NE 68114
[phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Attorneys for Plaintiff

F.A. Goss tt,
United States Magistrate Judge

7

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
BRITTANY L. TEAL,
Plaintiff,

v.
BEHAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC., A
Nebraska Corporation,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 8:14-CV-161

JOINT

EXHIBIT LIST

COMES NOW the Plaintiff, Brittany L. Teal, and Defendant, Behave'n Day Center, Inc.,
by and through their counsel of record and, pursuant to

~4(c)

of the Second Amended Order

Setting Final Schedule for Progression of Case (Filing No. 36), sets forth the following list of
exhibits which Plaintiff and Defendant expect to introduce during the trial of this matter:
PLF

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

DF

DESCRIPTION

OFF

Job Description for Program
Coordinator signed and dated
12/17/12 (Depo. Ex. 11;
Behave'n to Teal 0001)
Behaven policy for timeouts
(Depo. Ex. 19; Behave'n to
Teal 0070-0072)
Behaven training information
(Depo. Ex. 21; Behave'n to
Teal 0265-0266)
Behaven policy for approved
methods of discipline (Depo.
Ex. 18; Behave'n to Teal 0073)
Regulatory Requirements
applicable to Defendant
(Behave'n to Teal 0067)
Final Letter of Warning dated
6/14/13) (Depo. Ex. 2;
Behave'n to Teal 0361)
Incident Report dated 6/26/13
(Behave'n to Teal 0061 and
0062)
1

OBJ

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

PLF

8

9

10

11

12
13
14
15
16
17

18

DF

DESCRIPTION

OFF

Text messages between
Plaintiff and Ashley Rose
(Deno. Ex. 35; Teal 15)
Text messages between
Plaintiff and Emily Deyke
<Deoo. Ex. 38; Teal 24-26)
Plaintiffs comments and
concerns re: Behaven policies
with handwritten notes (Depo.
Ex. 4; Behave'n to Teal 02680271)
Investigation documents into
Plaintiffs complaint including
disciplinary action taken
(Deoo. Ex. 5)
Dr. Mark D. Carlson Note
dated 6/3/13 (Deoo. Ex. 10)
2013 W-2 from Behaven (Teal
No. 52)
Wage information from Gass
Schools, Inc. (Teal 55-57)
Wage information from DHHS
(Teal No. 58-60)
Defendant's Answers to
Interrogatories
Designated pages from the
Deposition of Gail Williams
dated July 17, 2015
Designated pages from
Deposition of Roger Peterson
dated July 8, 2015
Plaintiff reserves the right to
offer any and all additional
exhibits necessary to establish
foundation.
Plaintiff reserves the right to
offer any and all exhibits listed
or offered by Defendant not
objected to by Plaintiff.

OBJ

H,R

H,R

See Ex.A
See Ex.A

See Ex. A

2

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

PLF

DF

DESCRIPTION

101

Receipt and Acknowledgement
of Employee Handbook and
Policies (Behave'n to Teal
0075-0076)

102

Policy for Use of Seclusion
and Restraint (Behave'n to Teal
0074)

103

Medication Aide Job
Description (Behave'n to Teal
0002-0003)

104

Medication Manager Job
Description (Behave'n to Teal
0004-0005)

105

Salary/Position Adjustment
Record dated 12/17/12
(Behave'n to Teal 0006)

106

Plaintiff's Performance
Evaluations (Behave'n to Teal
0007-0013)

107

90 Day/ Quarterly Reviews
(Behave'n to Teal 0014-0018)

108

January 2013 Employment
Performance Evaluation
(Behave'n to Teal 0019-0022)

109

Supervision Meeting Notes
dated 12/10/12 (Behave'n to
Teal 0027)

110

Staff Development Plan dated
January- March 2013
(Behave'n to Teal 0030, 0031)

111

Supervision Meeting Notes
dated 2/25/13 (Behave'n to
Teal 0039)

OFF

3

OBJ

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

PLF

DF

DESCRIPTION

112

Supervision Meeting Notes
dated 3/21/13 (Behave'n to
Teal 0041)

113

Supervision Meeting Notes
dated 4115/13 (Behave'n to
Teal 0043)

114

Supervision Meeting Notes
dated 5/13/13 (Behave'n to
Teal 0046)

115

Verbal Warning dated 11/9/11
(Behave'n to Teal 0052)

116

Letter of Warning dated
6/19/12 (Behave'n to Teal
0053-0054)

117

Employee Coaching/Warning
Form dated 11/6/12 (Behave'n
to Teal 0055-0056)

118

Letter of Warning dated
2/12/13 (Behave'n to Teal
0057)

119

Letter of Warning dated
2/18/13 (Behave'n to Teal
0058)

120

Email to Gail Williams
(Behave'n to Teal 0060)

121

Employee Coaching/Warning
Form terminating Plaintiff's
employment dated 6/28/13
(Behave'n to Teal 0063)

122

Statement of Ashley Rose
regarding PTO 0079

123

OFF

Complaint from Plaintiff
(Behave'n to Teal 0080 - 0082)

OBJ

F,H, 0
(Not Best
Evidence)

H, F, 0
(Not Best
Evidence

4

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

PLF

DF

124

125
126

127

128

DESCRIPTION

OFF

Charge of Discrimination filed
by Plaintiff with the NEOC
(Behave'n to Teal 0091-0092)
NEOC Rebuttal Interview
(Behave'n to Teal 0095-0098)
Text messages between
Courtney Peterson and Plaintiff
(Behave'n to Teal 0102)
Termination document of
Diane Pehrson, Ex. 4-A to
Defendant's Motion for
Summary Judgment
Statement of Diane Pehrson,
Ex. 4-C to Defendant's Motion
for Summary Judgment

OBJ

H, R, F

R

H,F, 0
(Not Best
Evidence)

129

Program Coordinator Training
dated 12/21112 (Behave'n to
Teal 0191)

130

Affidavit of Ashley Rose
(Behave'n to Teal 0413-0414)

H,F, 0
(Not Best
Evidence)

131

Affidavit of Carrie Rowell
(Behave'n to Teal 0415-0416)

H,F,O
(Not Best
Evidence)

132

Postnatal Depression Scale
(Teal/Carlson 00070)

R

133

Postnatal Depression Scale
(Teal/Carlson 00127)
Medical records of Dr.
Carlson, responsive to
subpoena
Medical records of Dr.
Rosenquist, responsive to
subpoena
Medical records of Dr. Quinn,
responsive to subpoena

R

134

135

136

F,H,R

F,H,R

F,H,R

5

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

PLF

OF

DESCRIPTION

OFF

137

Demonstrative exhibits
consisting of enlargements of
any of the exhibits listed
herein.

Reserved

138

Demonstrative exhibit timeline

Reserved

Defendant reserves the right to
offer any and all additional
exhibits necessary to establish
foundation.

Reserved

Defendant reserves the right to
offer any and all exhibits listed
or offered by Plaintiff not
objected to by Defendant.

Reserved

Defendant reserves the right to
offer any and all additional
exhibits necessary for rebuttal
or impeachment.

Reserved

Defendant reserves the right to
offer additional exhibits
obtained prior to trial
including, but not limited to,
additional records not yet
received.

Reserved

Designated pages from the
Deposition of Brittany Teal
taken August 18, 2015

See Ex. B

Plaintiff's Answers to
Interrogatory Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 7
through 14.

See Ex. B

Plaintiff's Responses to
Defendant's Requests for
Production of Documents in its
entirety

SeeEx.B

6

OBJ

RCVD

NOT
RCVD

DATE

OBJECTIONS
R: Relevancy
H: Hearsay
A: Authenticity

F:Foundation
0: Other (specify)

BRITTANY L. TEAL, Plaintiff

By: s/Patrick M. Flood
Patrick M. Flood, #19042
Michael R. Peterson, #23444
PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP
10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300
Omaha,NE68114
[phone]
[phone] (Facsimile)

ATTORNEYSFORPLAINTIFF
and
BERAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC., a Nebraska
corporation, Defendant.

By: s/Katbryn A. Dittrick
Kathryn A. Dittrick, #23513
Rhianna A. Kittrell, #25366
FRASER STRYKER PC LLO
500 Energy Plaza
409 South 17th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
[phone]
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT

7

EXHIBIT A
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA

BRITTANY L. TEAL,
Plaintiff,

v.
BEHAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC., A
Nebraska Corporation,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 8:14-CV-161

EXHIBIT A TO JOINT EXHIBIT LIST,
DEFENDANT'S OBJECTIONS TO
PLAINTIFF'S DEPOSITION AND
OTHER DISCOVERY DESIGNATIONS

Defendant generally objects to Plaintiff's deposition designations of Gail Williams
and Roger Peterson on the basis that these individuals will be available to testify at trial
to the matters contained in their depositions.

Defendant also makes the following

specific objections to Plaintiff's designations:

I.

DEPOSITION TESTIMONY.

GAIL WILLIAMS JULY 17. 2015 DEPOSITION
Page and Lines
(Objection to entire deposition - witness available}
4:11-12
11 :22-12:2
13:3-10
32:9-34:8
- F. R
36:24c37:11
39:1-22
41:17-42:6
47:9-48:9
60:23-61:1
62:14-20
69:15-71:12 - F. R

8

.,

ROGER PETERSON JULY 8. 2015 DEPOSITION
Page and Lines

(Objection to entire deposition - witness available)

4:15-16
40:3-6
46:8-47:4
50:7-20
- 0 (mischaracterizes prior testimony)
51:19-52:14
54:5-21
-F
69:5-9
69:19-70:6
71 :8-19
73:10-14
87:7-90:23 - F. H. R
91:11-23
101 :21-23
II.

DISCOVERY RESPONSES
Defendant's Answer to Interrogatory Nos. 7, 14

BEHAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC.,
Defendant,

BY:

/s/ Kathrvn A. Dittrick.
Kathryn A. Dittrick, #23513
Rhianna A. Kittrell, #25366
FRASER STRYKER PC LLO
500 Energy Plaza
409 South 17th Street
Omaha, NE 68102

[phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT

9

EXHIBIT "B"
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
BRITTANY L. TEAL,
Plaintiff,

v.
BERAVE'N DAY CENTER, INC., A
Nebraska Corporation,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 8:14-CV-161

PLAINTIFF'S OBJECTIONS TO
DEFENDANT'S DESIGNATIONS

Plaintiff generally objects to Defendant's designations of Plaintiff, Brittany L. Teal on the
basis that Plaintiff will be available to testify at trial to the matters contained in her deposition.
Plaintiff also makes the following specific objections to Defendant's designations:
Name
Brittany Teal

Deposition Testimony
9:13-24
10:10-12
11:21-12:2
15:8-20
16:14-18
16:22-17:2
18:3-10
19:7-11
22:16-25
24:24-25:2
25:13-15
30:6-10
32:19-33:3
35:11-24
36:3-24
38:11-23
40:24-25
42:17-19
45:1-4
46:21-25
10

Ob.iection

Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancv; Completeness

50:2-14
52:7-53:8
54:16-19
56:12-19
58:4-11
59:14-19
62:9-17
66:4-21
69:3-7
72:9-11
74:3-75:1
75:24-76:3
82:11-19
83:3-4
84:10-15
84:21-85:1
88:22-89:4
92:4-10
94:2-14
94:21-22
95:15-21
100:4-16
121 :7-13

Plaintiffs Answers to
Defendant's Interrogatories
Plaintiffs Responses to
Defendant's Requests for
Production of Documents

Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness

Relevancy; Completeness

Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness
Relevancy; Completeness

Discovery Responses
Answers to Interrogatory Nos.
1, 2, 5 and 7 throu!!h 14
Plaintiffs Responses to
Defendant's Requests for
Production of Documents in
its entirety
BRITTANY L. TEAL, Plaintiff
By: s/Patrick M. Flood
PatrickM. Flood, #19042
Michael R. Peterson, #23444
PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP
10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300
Omaha, Nebraska 68114
[phone]
[phone] (facsimile)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
11