Updated June 26, 2026
Setyan Law Secures Unanimous Federal Jury Verdict
A federal jury has delivered a resounding victory for employee rights, unanimously finding Costco Wholesale Corporation liable for disability discrimination and awarding $200,000 in damages to a former employee represented by Setyan Law.
The 12-0 verdict, returned in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, marks another significant courtroom success for employment trial attorney Sam Setyan of Setyan Law, APC.
A Case Centered on Disability Rights
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of former Costco employee Aaron Talamantes, who alleged that Costco discriminated against him after he disclosed multiple disabilities and requested reasonable workplace accommodations.
According to public reporting, Mr. Talamantes informed Costco management that he suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and physical limitations resulting from a prior ankle injury. He requested accommodations that included temporary lifting restrictions and brief breaks during PTSD-related panic attacks.
Rather than engaging in the interactive process required under California and federal law, Costco allegedly misinterpreted his medical restrictions, placed him on unpaid leave, and ultimately terminated his employment.
A Unanimous Jury Speaks
Following trial, the jury returned a 12-0 verdict in favor of Mr. Talamantes. The case also positions Costco to face substantial additional liability through an award of attorneys’ fees under applicable employment discrimination statutes.
The verdict reinforces an important legal principle: employers cannot ignore disability accommodation requests or avoid their obligation to engage employees in a meaningful, good-faith interactive process.
A Team Effort That Delivered Results
This successful outcome was achieved through the collaborative efforts of experienced trial lawyers committed to protecting employee rights.
Sam Setyan, founder of Setyan Law, to present the case before a federal jury.
Together, the trial team successfully demonstrated that the evidence supported Mr. Talamantes’ claims and persuaded every member of the jury that Costco violated the law.
Why This Verdict Matters
Disability discrimination cases often involve subtle workplace conduct rather than explicit admissions of wrongdoing. Employers may deny knowledge of disabilities, overlook accommodation requests, or fail to communicate with employees after receiving medical documentation.
This case demonstrates that juries carefully evaluate whether employers genuinely fulfilled their legal obligations—not simply whether policies existed on paper.
For California employers, the verdict serves as a reminder that disability accommodation laws require:
- Prompt engagement in the interactive process.
- Good-faith consideration of reasonable accommodations.
- Individualized assessment of medical restrictions.
- Fair treatment of employees requesting protected accommodations.
When employers fail to meet these obligations, they may face significant legal consequences.
Advocating for California Employees
Setyan Law remains committed to representing employees whose workplace rights have been violated.
Whether the issue involves disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, retaliation, wrongful termination, or other employment law violations, the firm’s mission remains the same: holding employers accountable and helping workers obtain justice.
The successful verdict in Talamantes v. Costco Wholesale Corporation is another example of that commitment in action and underscores the value of experienced trial advocacy when employers fail to comply with the law.
References
https://setyanlaw.com/victories/Talamantes.pdf
Call Setyan Law at (213)-618-3655 to schedule a free consultation.
