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Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Los Angeles

Wrongful TerminationIn California, employment is generally “at will,” which means that an employer generally has broad discretion in terminating an employee.  However, many terminations are still unlawful, especially if the termination violates one of California’s many public policies.

Wrongful termination occurs when someone is fired, dismissed or forced to quit in violation of any law or public policy, or when an employer has violated an existing agreement between the worker and the employer.  An employee who has been wrongfully terminated may recover past and future lost wages and benefits, emotional distress damages, and potentially other types of damages.

Wrongful Termination Attorneys at Broslavsky & Weinman, LLP

Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys at Broslavsky & Weinman, LLP are dedicated to representing employees who have lost their jobs due to unlawful employment practices and have a successful track record of helping victims of wrongful discharge or forced resignation.

Dismissal from a job may constitute wrongful termination if:

  • The termination stemmed from discrimination – If you were fired based on your disability, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, medical condition or other protected category, this would violate your legal rights.
  • The termination was a retaliatory act – If you were fired after reporting or complaining about wrongdoing or illegal conduct, or after standing up for your protected rights, this would also constitute wrongful termination.
  • The termination violated an agreement between you and your employer – If you had a contract with your employer (written or oral) regarding the terms of your employment and your dismissal violates that agreement, you were likely wrongfully terminated.
  • The termination otherwise violated your legal rights as a worker – If you were fired because you took time off work that you were legally entitled to take, such as for medical leave, family leave or military service, you would likely have a wrongful termination claim.

Wrongful Termination for Discriminatory Reasons

To win on a claim for wrongful termination based on discrimination, an employee must show that a discriminatory motive influenced the wrongful termination decision.  However, termination may still be illegal if it was motivated not only by discrimination but by a combination of discriminatory and legitimate reasons.

Not surprisingly, employers and supervisors rarely admit they had any discriminatory motives.  Fortunately, many forms of evidence can be used to show that discrimination had at least some influence on the termination decision, including:

  • Previous discriminatory comments by the owner or supervisor
  • Timing of the wrongful termination decision, such as an employee being fired shortly after reporting an injury or while pregnant
  • Evidence of discrimination against other co-workers in the same protected category
  • Evidence that other employees outside the protected class received preferential treatment
  • Statistical evidence, for example, data showing the company’s older employees being terminated in greater numbers than younger employees
  • Weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, or contradictions in the employer’s supposed non-discriminatory reasons for the wrongful termination. For example, if the employer previously praised an employee’s communication skills and then terminated that employee on the grounds of poor communication, this may constitute evidence that poor communication was a mere pretext
  • Evidence that the employer violated its own company policy and procedures in terminating the employee, such as, the employer’s policy requiring a written warning and/or investigation before termination and the employer ignoring this requirement

Wrongful Termination for Retaliatory Reasons

State and federal laws offer protections to encourage employees to report wrongdoing and to stand up for their rights without fear of losing their jobs.  It is unlawful for companies to fire employees for engaging in any of the following protected conduct:

  • Complaining about or reporting discrimination
  • Complaining about or reporting sexual harassment or other unlawful harassing conduct
  • Complaining about labor code violations, such as unpaid wages, misclassification as independent contractors, etc.
  • Complaining about or reporting unsafe working conditions
  • Requesting benefits to which an employee is entitled, such as overtime pay or medical leave
  • Reporting company violation of any laws to either an outside law enforcement agency or government authority, or to someone in the company with authority to correct the violation
  • Refusing an employer’s order to engage in illegal activity or do something that would violate a law

The standard for proving retaliatory wrongful termination is the same as for wrongful termination based on discrimination. Typically, the most powerful evidence in retaliation claims is a timeline of events showing a direct connection between an employee’s complaint and his or her termination.  Just as with termination based on discrimination, other persuasive evidence in retaliation cases includes inconsistencies or contradictions in the employer’s supposed non-retaliatory reason for the termination or the employer’s violation of its internal policies and procedures.

At Broslavsky & Weinman, LLP, We have also offer the following services:

Wrongful Termination in Breach of Contract

An employment contract is most often written out formally, but can also be sometimes implied from emails or other communications between the parties.  Claims for wrongful termination in violation of contract are typically straightforward.  The most common scenario involves the employee entering into a contract with a company for a specified number of years, and the employer terminating the employee before the term of the contract has expired.

An employer sued for breach of contract will often attempt to argue that it was justified in terminating the employee prior to the contract’s expiration because the employee has failed to perform.  An employee can overcome this argument by demonstrating that the employer’s justification is a pretext, and that the employee satisfactorily performed his or her duties under the contract.  An employee’s wrongful termination case can be further strengthened by a showing that the employer could have another likely motive for the termination, such as the company not doing well financially or undergoing restructuring.

If the terminated employee also demonstrates that the employer never truly planned to keep the employee for the entire duration of the contract, the employee might also have independent claims for fraud.

Constructive Termination

Although wrongful termination usually involves an actual firing of an employee, under certain circumstances, an employee who resigned rather than being formally terminated may still bring a claim for constructive termination.  California law recognizes claims for constructive discharge where an employer made working conditions so intolerable for an employee that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign.

The typical examples of constructive termination involve harassing, discriminatory or retaliatory acts that fall short of termination but still make working conditions unbearable, such as the employer cutting back on employee hours, cutting back on the rate of pay, demoting an employee, or failing to prevent harassment against an employee.

Contact a Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer

While an employer will generally not disclose an illegal reason for termination, one of our Los Angeles employment attorneys can evaluate the facts of your case to determine whether you may have a claim.  If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, you can turn to an experienced Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyer to discuss your case.  To find out more about how we can help, contact us at (310) 575-2550 or email us for a quick response.

With office locations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino, our wrongful termination attorneys provide legal services and representation to clients throughout California.

Frequently Asked Questions for our Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer

What is considered wrongful termination in Los Angeles?

Wrongful termination refers to the termination of an employee by an employer in violation of federal or state employment laws. This may include termination based on an employee’s race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or for engaging in protected activities, such as reporting harassment or discrimination.

What laws protect employees from wrongful termination in Los Angeles?

The primary laws that protect employees from wrongful termination in Los Angeles include the Federal Civil Rights Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

What steps should I take if I have been wrongfully terminated in Los Angeles?

If you have been wrongfully terminated, you should first contact an experienced wrongful termination lawyer in Los Angeles. Your lawyer will review the circumstances of your termination and determine if you have a valid claim. You should also gather evidence, including emails, witness statements, and documentation of your employment, to support your case.

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful termination claims in Los Angeles?

The statute of limitations for wrongful termination claims in California is generally one year from the date of termination. However, this deadline may vary depending on the type of claim and the specific circumstances of your case.

What compensation can I receive if I win my wrongful termination case in Los Angeles?

If you win your wrongful termination case in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other damages, including emotional distress and punitive damages. The specific compensation you may receive will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the damages you have suffered as a result of your termination.

How long does a wrongful termination case typically take in Los Angeles?

The length of a wrongful termination case in Los Angeles will vary depending on the complexity of the case, the amount of evidence, and the court’s schedule. Some cases may be resolved within a few months, while others may take several years to resolve.

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