Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Attorney

25+ Years of Experience On Your Side

In today’s economy, it can be very stressful to be unemployed. Unexpectedly losing your job can be even more devastating to you and your family. It can be even more devastating to your financial and mental health if you were illegally fired. This can be heartbreaking, confusing, and infuriating, and you will likely feel a strong sense of betrayal. With a Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyer, you won’t have to face this sudden stressful situation alone.

Federal law and the state laws of California protect both private and government employees against wrongful termination in cases where the employee has been discharged for specific discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.

The Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys of Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP represent illegally discharged employees of both the greater Los Angeles and Southern California areas. Our offices generally represent clients on a contingency-fee basis. This means that there is generally no fee for representation unless we obtain money for our clients.

Is California an “At-Will” State?

California is an “at-will” state. This means that an employer may terminate an employee’s position without notice at any time. However, there are laws that protect employees from being fired for illegal reasons. Employees cannot be fired for discriminatory reasons, or due to their membership in a protected class. For example, if you believe that you were let go as a form of retaliation or discrimination, then it is possible that you may have a wrongful termination case in Los Angeles.

Protected classes in employment law include, but are not limited to:

• Race/Color
• Ancestry/National Origin
• Religion/Creed
• Age (over 40)
• Disability, both mental and physical
• Sex/Gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions)
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Identity or Gender Expression
• Medical Condition
• Genetic Information
• Marital Status
• Military or Veteran Status

Whistleblowing Laws

Employers also cannot fire employees in retaliation for the employee reporting the company’s legal violations or participating in an investigation.

An employee’s report of illegal conduct, whether within the company or to an external agency or law enforcement, is protected conduct. You cannot be terminated for reporting an illegal act, or something you reasonably believe to be an illegal act. Even if you were incorrect about anything illegal going on within the company, you are still protected if you had reasonable cause to believe there was illegal activity going on.

If you believe you were unjustly let go from your position do not hesitate to reach out to a seasoned Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP – call (213) 310-8301.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Because California is an “at-will” state, wrongful termination cases can quickly become very complicated. They can turn into a battle of how an employee and employer each interpreted the reasons or circumstances for termination. For a termination to be deemed unlawful, California law requires that it violate fundamental public policy.

Examples of wrongful terminations include:

• In retaliation for engaging in a protected activity, such as for reporting an illegal action or refusing to participate in an unlawful action
• For discriminatory reasons, including those based on race, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, religion, or age
• For reporting or complaining of wage and hour violations or sexual harassment

Specific Scenarios

Wrongful termination can be the result of so many different scenarios in the workplace. It is important to recognize these scenarios and how they can lead to a wrongful termination suit in the immediate aftermath. After all, if you suddenly find yourself in the midst of one of these unfortunate workplace situations, you can start gathering evidence as soon as possible since you know what will likely be happening next:

• Sexual harassment and/or a hostile work environment: Some companies have become so used to sexual harassment as part of the everyday work culture that it may be hard to realize something terrible and illegal is even happening. Sexual harassment can affect everyday productivity and foster a hostile work environment.If you are sexually harassed at work and it leads to wrongful termination, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, punitive damages, and emotional distress, and you could even get your job back.
• Race discrimination: Federal law states that it is illegal to fire someone based solely on their race or nationality. However, that has not stopped some employers from engaging in racial discrimination in the workplace. Hiring or firing someone based on race, segregating employees by race, and racial stereotyping are all illegal activities.If anything like this is happening at your workplace, and you believe you were fired because of it, you may have a wrongful termination case.
• Workers’ compensation retaliation: Sometimes, employers take workers’ compensation claims personally and will even fire the injured employee for seeking accommodations for disabilities. Employers are prohibited by law from retaliating against employees for seeking accommodations for their disabilities.

How to File a Wrongful Termination Claim

Since California is an at-will state, employers can terminate you at any point for whatever reason, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have protected rights as an employee. If you believe you were fired for illegal reasons or some other discriminatory practice, you can start building a case for wrongful termination. Here are some steps you can take to start developing your case:

1. Gather evidence: Since the burden of proof rests with the terminated worker, it is up to you to document what is going on at work, and put your concerns in writing to your employer.
2. File a formal complaint: Once you have documented your concerns, you should reach out to a wrongful termination lawyer and file a formal complaint with the proper authorities, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or California Civil Rights Department (CRD). If you are seeking financial compensation, you may want to file a civil claim as well.
3. Legal action or a settlement: Once a claim has been filed in a California court, the employer may choose to let the suit go to trial or to settle out of court. Ultimately, it is up to the employer to choose how this ends. If you want to continue to pursue the suit, your lawyer can help you do so. They will provide guidance on what they think your next steps should be.

When investigating your case, our Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Los Angeles will regularly contact expert witnesses, review disciplinary documentation, asses prior work histories, and design a compelling case to challenge the unlawful discharge.

In some cases, employers give no reasons whatsoever for the termination. As your Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys, we work hard to discover the real facts behind your dismissal while fighting for the compensation that you deserve.

Compensation For Wrongful Termination in California

If you believe that you were a victim of wrongful termination, you should contact a wrongful termination attorney in Los Angeles at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP as soon as possible. In some cases, a lawsuit against wrongful termination is relatively straight forward.

In other cases, and unlawful discharge might take the form of “constructive wrongful termination.” These are cases in which the employer has created such a hostile work environment that you are forced to quit.

If you have a case for wrongful termination, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Back pay
• Reinstatement to your previous job
• Restoration of seniority status and benefits
• Financial compensation for pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in the form of monetary compensation
• Attorney fees and court costs
• Mandated new company policy changes to protect current and future employees

Do you suspect that you released wrongfully? Make an appointment for a free case evaluation with a Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyers at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP today.

How To Prove Wrongful Termination in California

Your employer will not directly state that discrimination is the reason for firing someone, so employees need to look for circumstantial evidence to demonstrate that they have suffered wrongful termination.

Some evidence that may demonstrate discrimination is if only people of a certain sex or race were fired during a round of layoffs. Another thing to look at is if the employee started getting treated differently after a manager learned what religion they practice.

Other evidence could include employers enforcing certain rules for one group differently than another. It could also just be comments made by managers that may demonstrate bias.

However, you’ll need more than just hearsay in order to prove wrongful termination. Collecting the following evidence can greatly help your claim:

• Emails, text messages, or other written communications
• Witness testimony from friends or coworkers
• Copies of your employee handbook and work contract
• Performance reviews and previous job evaluations
• Previous reprimands and disciplinary actions if any exist

The LA wrongful termination lawyers at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP can help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your case. We’ve represented employees who have been unlawfully terminated throughout Los Angeles County and all of California.

FAQs

Q: What Qualifies for Wrongful Termination in California?

A: Wrongful termination occurs whenever an employer terminates an employee for an unlawful reason. This can include discriminatory reasons like firing someone based on their race, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender.

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, seek out a wrongful termination lawyer and start building a case against your former employer. We can help you gather evidence, talk to witnesses, file a complaint, and seek compensation.

Q: What Is the Burden of Proof for Wrongful Termination in California?

A: In most wrongful termination cases, the burden of proof rests on the terminated employee. It is up to them to build a wrongful termination case and prove that they were terminated for unlawful reasons by their employer. They must show that their employer violated state or federal law by retaliating against them for whatever reason. A skilled wrongful termination lawyer can assist in building your case and show you how your employer may have violated the law.

Q: How Do You Argue Wrongful Termination?

A: If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated based on your protected class or in retaliation for reporting illegal acts, you may have grounds for a claim. To pursue this claim, you must prove that your employer violated state and/or federal labor laws. Your suit only works if you can prove that your employer broke the law by terminating you for illegal reasons.

Contact Our Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Los Angeles

When your job security is on the line, trust Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, your premier wrongful termination attorneys in Los Angeles. Our seasoned legal team specializes in protecting your rights. We’ll investigate, negotiate, and litigate to ensure you get the justice you deserve.

With Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, you’re not alone in this battle. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers will guide you through the legal maze, offering unwavering support and expertise every step of the way.

Don’t let wrongful termination derail your career and livelihood. Take action now. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation, and let us assess the merits of your case. We’re committed to upholding your rights and securing the compensation you’re entitled to.

Your job matters, and so do your rights. Call Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh today, and let our wrongful termination lawyers in LA make a powerful stand against wrongful termination. Your brighter professional future begins with us.

Related Reading

• How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit in California?
• When Quitting a Job Is Really a Wrongful Termination

We Are Proud to Serve Los Angeles Residents with Top-Quality Representation

As active members of our community, Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP is committed to diversity. Our lawyers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we offer legal services in several languages, including Spanish, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.

Our firm’s founder, Attorney Rob Hennig, regularly volunteers at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and was the founding co-chair of the board of directors for what is now Equality California. Mr. Hennig is also a board member for the Southern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and all of our associates have worked extensively in both a nonprofit and professional setting.

Were you the victim of an unlawful discharge from your job? Call our Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys at (213) 310-8301 for compassionate help.