South Pasadena Wrongful Termination Lawyer Here to Protect Your Rights
California is an at-will state, which means your employer can terminate you for almost any reason, provided the reason is not illegal. There are several laws that protect you from being fired for specific illegal reasons. If you believe you’ve been fired for a reason that’s prohibited by California law, you may have grounds for a claim against your former employer.
A California Wrongful Termination Lawyer at Domb & Rauchwerger can help you understand your rights and determine if you’re eligible to take action against your former employer. If a South Pasadena wrongful termination lawyer from our firm finds that you’re entitled to remedies, they’ll begin building a strong case against your former employer.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer serving South Pasadena, call 213-537-9225
Forms of Wrongful Termination that Might Warrant a Claim
Unfortunately, employers are not required to provide an employee with an explanation of why the employee is being terminated. Even if an employer gives a reason for terminating an employee, it can be difficult to know if the reason provided by the employer is the real motivation behind an employee’s termination.
There are many reasons for termination that are perfectly legal, such as poor performance, excessive unexcused absences, a personality conflict between two employees, or the company simply deciding they want to go in a different direction with the position.
However, to the extent an employer offers a reason for termination, the key question is whether there is an alternative illegal reason for why an employee is fired that the employer is trying to hide by using a seemingly legitimate reason.
You should reach out to a wrongful termination lawyer from South Pasadena if you believe your firing involved any of the following:
Retaliation
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes an adverse action against you, like terminating your employment, because you engaged in a certain protected behavior. You might have grounds for a claim if you were fired for:
- Taking a protected leave of absence, such as pregnancy, medical, or family leave
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability
- Refusing to do something for your employer that is against the law
- Complaining to your employer that you believe something they are doing is against the law.
- Participating in an outside investigation that involved your company or employer
- Reporting sexual harassment or another form of workplace harassment to your employer or a government agency
- Reporting discrimination to your employer or a government agency
Discrimination
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits your employer from firing you on the basis of a protected class. According to the law, the following categories are considered protected classes:
- Gender
- Race
- Skin color
- National origin
- Sex
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Pregnancy status
- Marital status
- Age, if over 40
- Religion
- Disability or genetic information
Breach of Employment Contract
Having a “good cause” employment contract is uncommon in California, but if you do, it means your employer must have good cause to fire you. If you’ve failed to perform the duties of your job, your employer likely has good cause to fire you.
On the other hand, if you believe you were fired for a reason that doesn’t qualify as “good cause,” a wrongful termination attorney from South Pasadena may be able to assist you in filing a claim against your employer.
South Pasadena Wrongful Termination Lawyer Near Me 213-537-9225
An Attorney Can Help You Prove that You Were Wrongfully Terminated
To hold your employer accountable for wrongfully terminating you, you’ll need to prove that they fired you for an unlawful reason. This step in the legal process can be difficult, as evidence must be collected showing that your firing was retaliatory, discriminatory, or otherwise against the law.
Fortunately, our wrongful termination lawyers from South Pasadena can help you gather and analyze the evidence you need to take action against your employer. They may use the following records and documents to build a strong case against your employer on your behalf:
- Relevant paperwork and emails
- Other documents that suggest your discharge was unlawful
- Testimony, statements, or declarations from your co-workers, supervisor, manager, etc.
If you are aware of any physical or digital evidence that could be used to bolster your case, you’ll want to hand it over to our wrongful termination lawyers. They’ll be able to use it to strengthen your case and, ideally, recover the remedies you deserve.
Remedies You Could Receive from a Successful Claim
Our wrongful termination attorneys from South Pasadena understand how psychologically distressing and financially devastating it can be to lose your job for an unlawful reason. That’s why, if we agree to take on your case, our team will work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you’re owed.
The damages we recover on your behalf may include:
- Salary or wages you would have received had your employment not been cut short
- Future income losses, if your employer did something to stop you from getting another job after your unlawful discharge
- Emotional distress caused by your wrongful termination
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages aren’t awarded to compensate for a financial or emotional loss you’ve suffered due to your termination. Instead, they’re awarded to punish your employer if their conduct was fraudulent or malicious during your discharge.
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How Long You Have to Take Action for Wrongful Termination in South Pasadena, California
If you believe you’re a victim of wrongful termination, it’s important to understand that there may be a limit to how long you have to file a claim against your former employer. If our South Pasadena wrongful termination lawyers believe you have a claim under the FEHA, you have three years from the date of your termination to file a claim.
If you’re filing a claim under a different law, you could have as little as two years to take action against your employer. The time is even shorter if you are a government/public employee.
Remember, missing the deadline for your claim could prevent you from getting the justice and financial compensation you’re entitled to, so it’s important to reach out to our South Pasadena wrongful termination lawyers as soon as possible.
To avoid going uncompensated for your lost wages and emotional suffering, make sure you hire a skilled lawyer ASAP. They’ll be able to determine how long you have to file a claim and work hard to meet the deadlines that apply to your case.
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Why Domb & Rauchwerger Is the Right Choice for Your Case
Before founding Domb & Rauchwerger, attorneys Zack Domb and Devin Rauchwerger were partners at one of the largest employment law firms in the Country and represented Fortune 500 employers. During their time defending employers from various claims, they learned the strategies that employment defense attorneys use to fight claims like yours.
Using their extensive knowledge of employment defense tactics, the team at Domb & Rauchwerger can go up against your employer’s lawyers and secure the results you need to move forward with your life.
Impressive Results
The South Pasadena wrongful termination attorneys at Domb & Rauchwerger have won millions for victims of wrongful termination and a number of other employment-related injustices. Once you’ve taken a look at the verdicts and settlements they’ve recovered, you’ll realize that they have what it takes to bring your case to a positive conclusion.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Skilled Attorney
If your employer has violated your rights under the FEHA or another law, you shouldn’t have to deal with the economic and non-economic fallout without fair compensation. That’s why the team at Domb & Rauchwerger is committed to fighting for the remedies you need to compensate for lost wages and the other challenges you’ve endured.
To find out if you’re eligible to take action against your employer, contact our firm today and schedule a free consultation with a South Pasadena wrongful termination lawyer. During your consultation, a knowledgeable attorney can explain your rights as a worker in California and advise you if filing a claim is right for you.
Call or text 213-537-9225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form