Life is full of up and downs, like getting that job you’ve always wanted, only to lose it months or years down the road. Being jobless causes anxiety, anger, frustration – maybe even self-loathing – and these emotions can make it difficult to move forward. Of course, finding a new job and recovering your finances are your primary goals, but what if your employer fired you under illegal circumstances? In that case, you should explore the option of filing a wrongful termination claim.
Victims of illegal termination in Riverside need advice and guidance from an experienced employment attorney. That’s exactly what we can offer you here at California Law Employment Attorneys Group. By contacting us today, you will receive a free consultation with a Riverside lawyer that specializes in wrongful terminations. Whether you are a victim of workplace discrimination or breach of contract, we can help you take legal action against your employer and obtain compensation for lost wages, job benefits, and other qualifying damages.
What Wrongful Termination Means in a Legal Sense
Getting fired may be unfair and totally unexpected, but that doesn’t make it “wrongful” in a legal sense. One type of wrongful termination you may be familiar with is breach of contract. For example, you’ve signed an employment contract with terms of when and how you can be fired. If your employer is in violation of these terms, you can sue them for breach of contract. In California, a contract does not necessarily have to be in writing, though it’s certainly easier to prove a case of wrongful termination when there is a written contract. However, it is not impossible to prove that you were unlawfully terminated based on the terms of a verbal contract.
Discrimination is another source of wrongful terminations that affects many workers in Riverside County. The federal government prohibits firing someone or making other negative employment decisions based on discrimination against protected characteristics like gender, race, sexuality, religion, and age. These protections are established under various laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. California employees also have protection against discriminatory treatment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. So, if you believe that you were fired due to your employer’s bias against a protected trait under federal or state laws, you have the right to seek damages from a wrongful termination claim.
Aside from losing your job, employers may subject you to other kinds of unfair treatment because of your nationality, pregnancy, political beliefs, etc. For example, your employer may choose to lower your pay of give you less desirable hours, which is a more subtle form of workplace discrimination compared to outright firing you. Maybe your employer has s preference for people under the age of 40, and this is why you were not allowed to apply for a promotion, even though your employer told you it was due to lack of qualifications. If you are dealing with any kind of discriminatory treatment by your employer, our Riverside employment rights lawyers can talk to you about the available legal options.
We also represent people who were fired after they sustained a work-related injury. Most employees have the right to file for workers’ compensation, which will pay for medical treatments and lost wages. In order to avoid paying out claims or provide workers with the full range of benefits they are entitled to, an employer may choose to fire them. If you were let go from your job after a work accident or an illness resulting from your job duties / work environment, we can help you file a labor law complaint against your employer and receive what is rightfully yours.
Being Fired as Retaliation by Your Employer
Retaliation normally goes hand in hand with discrimination in the workplace, and it has to do with an employer punishing you for exercising your employment rights. Wrongful termination is one of the most obvious examples of retaliation, which is illegal under FEHA and Title VII, along with other laws that prohibit employment discrimination.
One of the most important laws concerning workplace retaliation is the California Whistleblower Protection Act. The act of whistleblowing refers to a worker reporting illegal practices by their employer to a government or law enforcement entity. Employers cannot take punitive measures against an employee for whistleblowing, and this includes firing or demoting them.
A wrongful termination lawsuit for retaliation can provide you with compensation, including non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Your employer can also face criminal penalties if they engaged in retaliation for whistleblowing. This is considered a misdemeanor, which can be punished by $5,000 in fines and up to a year in jail.
Wrongful Termination Attorneys in Riverside, CA
The injustice of being fired illegally is a blow to your mind and finances, and many workers are under the impression that they have no recourse against the employer. Certainly, proving that you were unlawfully terminated is a challenging process, but it’s possible to hold your employer accountable when you work with the attorneys of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group. We have a proven track record of recovered settlements for those who were wrongfully fired or suffered other acts of discrimination and retaliation at their job. Our legal experts are more than ready to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Part of our commitment to workers in Riverside includes the Zero Fee Guarantee. We promise that you will pay $0 throughout the entire duration of your case. Once you are compensated by your employer, a percentage of the payment will be used to cover legal expenses. If we do not succeed in resolving a wrongful termination lawsuit in your favor, you owe us $0 and walk away without any losses.
At the end of the day, only you can decide if legal action against your employer is the right course of action. We are here 24/7 to help you make an informed choice, so please contact our law firm today and schedule a free case review.
