Panic Disorder

...ba href=/panic disorder/a/b prohibited him from face-to-face contact with his clients.

The six men and six women on the jury deliberated five days after a five-week trial before ruling in favor of 52-year-old George Alberigi, a Medi-Cal eligibility case worker with the county's Human Services Department.

Sonoma County Counsel Steve Woodside said the county will ask the judge to reduce the amount and can request a new trial or appeal the verdict.

Alberigi started work with the county in 1980 and despite his fear of crowds and face-to-face contact with people he was able to do his job because his contact with clients was by phone, his attorney Stephen Murphy said.

Alberigi asked for a promotion in 2001 but was informed he would have to meet clients in person, Murphy said.

Alberigi was offered other positions at his current pay rate but he wanted to remain a case eligibility worker and the other positions also entailed some face-to-face contact, Murphy said.

Alberigi then filed for disability in 2004, Murphy said.

He filed the suit in 2003.

"His job wasn't just a pay check.

It was his social life.

His life basically has been living in his apartment all day,'' Murphy said.

Woodside said the county was "shocked'' by the amount of the verdict and will be "equally shocked if it isn't reduced.'' Woodside said Alberigi was offered other work consistent with his doctor's recommended limitations at as his same salary.

The county believed it was following the law on the issue, Woodsid...

...ba href=/panic disorder/a/b prohibited him from face-to-face contact with his clients.

The six men and six women on the jury deliberated five days after a five-week trial before finding in favor of 52-year-old George Alberigi, a Medi-Cal eligibility case worker with the county's Human Services Department, on Tuesday.

Alberigi started work with the county in 1980 and despite his fear of crowds and face-to-face contact with people, he was able to do his job because his contact with clients was by phone, his attorney Stephen Murphy said.

Alberigi asked for a promotion in 2001 but was informed he would have to meet clients in person, Murphy said.

Alberigi was offered other positions at his current pay rate but he wanted to remain an eligibility case worker and the other positions also entailed some face-to-face contact, Murphy said.

Alberigi then filed for disability in 2004, Murphy said.

He filed the suit in 2003.

"His job wasn't just a paycheck.

It was his social life.

His life basically has been living in his apartment all day,'' Murphy said.

Sonoma County can either appeal the verdict or within 10 days request a new trial.

County Counsel Steve Woodside was not immediately available for comment today.

The jury awarded $1.5 million for lost wages and $5 million for pain and suffering.

It is believed to be the largest award by a civil jury in the county's history.

Alberigi's attorneys have the right to apply to the court for fees which will be in "the mid-six-figure range,'...

...ba href=/panic disorder/a/b prohibited him from face-to-face contact with his clients.

The six men and six women on the jury deliberated five days after a five-week trial before finding in favor of 52-year-old George Alberigi, a Medi-Cal eligibility case worker with the county's Human Services Department, on Tuesday.

Alberigi started work with the county in 1980 and despite his fear of crowds and face-to-face contact with people, he was able to do his job because his contact with clients was by phone, his attorney Stephen Murphy said.

Alberigi asked for a promotion in 2001 but was informed he would have to meet clients in person, Murphy said.

Alberigi was offered other positions at his current pay rate but he wanted to remain an eligibility case worker and the other positions also entailed some face-to-face contact, Murphy said.

Alberigi then filed for disability in 2004, Murphy said.

He filed the suit in 2003.

``His job wasn't just a paycheck.

It was his social life.

His life basically has been living in his apartment all day,'' Murphy said.

Sonoma County can either appeal the verdict or within 10 days request a new trial.

County Counsel Steve Woodside was not immediately available for comment today.

The jury awarded $1.5 million for lost wages and $5 million for pain and suffering.

It is believed to be the largest award by a civil jury in the county's history.

Alberigi's attorneys have the right to apply to the court for fees, which will be in ``the mid-six-figure range,'' Murphy said.

...