Pasadena Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Reasons to File a Wrongful Termination Claim

California law protects workers from being terminated for several different reasons. Contact a wrongful termination attorney from Pasadena today if your employment has been terminated under any of the following circumstances:

Discrimination

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it illegal for an employer to fire you because of your race, color, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If you believe your firing was discriminatory, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Retaliation

It’s also illegal for your employer to fire you in an act of retaliation against you for engaging in a protected activity. Protected activities include the following:

• Complaining to your employer about something they did that you reasonably believe to be unlawful
• Participating in an investigation that involved your employer or workplace
• Refusing a request from your employer to do something illegal
• Reporting unlawful harassment or discrimination to your employer or a third-party 
• Requesting disability accommodations
• Taking protected family, medical, or pregnancy disability leave

You Filed a Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you suffered an injury or illness at your place of work and sought compensation from your employer’s insurance carrier, you shouldn’t be punished. If your employer fired you because you were injured at work, you have the right to hold them accountable for wrongful termination.

How a Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Pasadena Can Help You

If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated, an attorney from our Pasadena team can provide several services geared toward obtaining the compensation and justice you deserve. Here’s how a lawyer can help you:

Determine If You Have Grounds for a Claim

Sometimes, employees are discharged for reasons that may seem unreasonable but are actually completely legal. An attorney can assess your situation and determine if the reason you were fired was unlawful. If they find that you have grounds for a claim, they’ll proceed with the legal process.

Analyze Evidence

To hold your employer liable for wrongful termination, you’ll need to prove that your firing was against the law. For example, if you were discharged because of your protected class, you’ll need evidence that proves your employer fired you because of your race, gender identity, or another protected category.

If you have any paperwork, emails, or other documents that show your discharge was discriminatory, retaliatory, or illegal for another reason, hand the evidence over to your attorney. They can review the records you provide and use them to support your claim.

Your Pasadena wrongful termination lawyer may also use testimony from another employee from your company to bolster your claim. If you know someone from the company who knows the reason for your discharge, pass that information on to your lawyer.

Help You Submit a Complaint

Depending on your claim, you may need to exhaust your administrative remedies by lodging a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). An attorney can file the claim on your behalf in order to obtain a right-to-sue letter so that you can proceed with a case in civil court.  The attorney will ensure your complaint contains the correct information.

Pursue Compensation on Your Behalf

Before filing a lawsuit, your lawyer can attempt to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If your attorney succeeds in negotiating a fair payment, you’ll receive money to compensate you for the losses and hardships you’ve endured as a result of your wrongful termination.

However, if your employer and their lawyer refuse to settle, your attorney will have to take further action. Depending on your circumstances, your attorney will either seek damages via a lawsuit or arbitration. 

Ensure Your Claim Is Filed on Time