If you have recently lost your job, you may worry about how to pay your bills, find new work, and protect your reputation. In some cases, getting fired is not just unfair but also illegal.
When an employer breaks the law, an important step is reporting wrongful termination in Los Angeles. A wrongful termination attorney at Erkel Law, P.C., can explain your rights under state law and help you decide what to do next.
As this state is an at-will employment state, an employer can usually fire an employee at any time and for almost any reason. However, there are limits. A termination is considered unlawful if it violates the law or public policy.
Examples include:
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations and makes it illegal to fire someone based on protected characteristics. Failing to accommodate a disability and then firing that employee could be a wrongful termination. If an employee brings up unpaid overtime, meal break violations, or unsafe working conditions and then gets fired, that may be retaliation, and it is important to report such a wrongful termination in Los Angeles.
After a wrongful termination, it is important to act carefully. Start by gathering documents, such as performance reviews, emails, or written complaints. Write down what happened, including dates, names, and what was discussed.
In many cases, an employee must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department before filing a lawsuit for discrimination or retaliation under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. This step is required to receive a right-to-sue notice. These cases have strict deadlines, and missing one can prevent a claim. A lawyer can help you report a wrongful termination in Los Angeles and make sure there are no missing details.
Employers often have robust legal teams and human resources departments working to protect the company, which makes it intimidating for an employee to face this situation alone. A Los Angeles lawyer can help with each part of the reporting process for a wrongful termination, including:
In some cases, an employer may offer a severance agreement, which could require the employee to give up legal claims in exchange for payment. It is important to not sign anything without review from a lawyer first.
Reporting an unlawful termination in Los Angeles allows a person to recover their financial losses. You may be able to recover your lost wages, future earnings, and benefits, along with damages for emotional distress.
In some cases, there may be an award for the attorney’s fees, which helps employees pursue valid claims without requiring payment upfront. The amount of compensation depends on many factors, such as the length of time the employee was out of work, the type of discrimination or retaliation involved, and the strength of the evidence.
State law provides real protections for employees who face discrimination, retaliation, or other illegal treatment. A critical step in standing up for your rights and seeking justice is reporting wrongful termination in Los Angeles. Erkel Law, P.C., represents employees with various employment law matters and can review the facts, explain your options, and help with every step of the process. Contact our team to learn more.
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