A jury has ordered the University of Texas at San Antonio to pay $175,000 to one of its professors for failing to give him proper notice before destroying his property during a laboratory cleanup endeavor.
Chemistry professor Philip Stotter claimed he lost research samples, notes and documentation, as well as a chemical library and equipment purchased with his own funds, when the university overhauled his lab in 2001. He said he was given no time to remove his items, noting that he didn't receive notice until the day of the cleanup.
The university argued Stotter had been repeatedly told to remediate safety problems in the lab and that he was informed of the cleanup date nearly two months ahead. In addition, it contended the chemicals and equipment were university property.
The jury compensated Stotter for his lost research material, but not the other items.
The jury issued its verdict on Feb. 12
