A California appeals court has ruled that Nicollette Sheridan [photos] wasn't wrongfully terminated from 'Desperate Housewives'.
The court ruled that Sheridan wasn't fired from the ABC show for complaining creator Marc Cherry struck her on the head, as she claimed, instead the network simply decided not to pick up her contract.
"A cause of action for wrongful termination in violation of public policy does not lie if an employer decides simply not to exercise an option to renew a contract," said the judge. "In that instance, there is no termination of employment but, instead, an expiration of a fixed-term contract."
The 48-year-old Sheridan's lawyer had contended that she was "fired mid-season, mid-contract" and that was "the same as a termination."
However, the court said: "Contrary to what she claims, she was not fired, discharged or terminated. Instead, Touchstone chose only not to exercise its option to renew her contract for the next season."
"She continued to work through Season 5 and was compensated as required by contract. All of the evidence shows that Ms. Sheridan was not terminated but her employment came to a natural end when her contract was not renewed."
But despite the obvious setback, Sheridan's lawyer said they hoped to have some resolution in the her favor.
"We will prosecute Touchstone to the fullest extent of the law under Labor Code Section 6310," he said.
A California appeals court has ruled that 
