No one goes into a profession thinking that they will be fired one day under illegal circumstances. Unfortunately, wrongful terminations happen quite often across all industries in California, including healthcare services. These incidents are usually based on some form of discrimination, followed by retaliation when the worker complains about how they are treated.
Providence Heath & Services has more than 15,000 employees, making them one of the largest employers in Los Angeles County. People expect such companies to follow the law and treat their employees with respect. However, a company’s size and prominence do not guarantee fair and equal treatment in the workplace. If you were wrongfully terminated by Providence Heath & Services, please take some time to discuss your experience with one of our attorneys.
California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group has a dedicated team of employment rights lawyers who are ready to talk to you about your rights and legal options. You may be entitled to monetary compensation if you lost your job unlawfully, but there is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against your employer. For more information on suing for workplace discrimination and retaliation, contact our law firm today.
What is a Wrongful Termination?
What does it mean to be wrongfully terminated? In a legal sense, wrongful termination is not just a matter of unfair treatment from your employer. There has to be a legal violation of state or federal labor laws – for example, firing someone on the basis of a protected characteristic.
Under the federal guidelines, protected traits that cannot be used to make employment decisions include race, sex, age, disability, and religion. Firing someone based on any of these traits is a form of employment discrimination, which is against the law. Please note that California has protections for additional categories, like sexual orientation, gender, and political affiliation. You are also protected from retaliation, meaning that your employer cannot fire or take other adverse actions against you for asserting your employment rights.
Please consider the following examples of wrongful termination:
- You are diagnosed with a serious, long-term medical condition and ask your employer for workplace accommodations that are perfectly within reason. Your supervisor says no, and you file a complaint with Human Resources. Weeks later, you are given a notice of termination due to repeated incidents of poor job performance, when the real reason is retaliation for going to HR.
- When you turn 40 years old, you start to notice that your employer treats you differently compared to younger people at the job. For example, your age is brought up repeatedly with jokes and insensitive comments that you do not appreciate. In addition, your work performance is scrutinized more heavily, and you are constantly told that you’re not meeting the company’s goals and standards. Later that year, you are fired by the company, even though you have continued to perform your job in a competent and professional manner.
- You notice hazardous conditions in the workplace and inform your employer about the problem to ensure that no one is injured. However, you employer disagrees that this is a major concern, prompting you to contact a state agency about the violation. When your employer is notified of the complaint, they tell you that you no longer work for the company.
If you are in need of legal advice from a Providence Health & Services wrongful termination lawyer, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you decide on the best way to move forward.
Laws That Prohibit Wrongful Termination
As we mentioned, there are various laws that prohibit employers from using certain conditions as a basis for terminating someone. For example, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is a federal legislation that protects workers from discriminatory behavior by their employers. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act offers similar protections against wrongful termination and other negative employment decisions, like demotion and pay cuts.
We suggest that you schedule a free consultation with us to learn about these and other laws that establish your right to fair and equal treatment in the workplace. That way, you can determine if your situation meets the criteria for a wrongful termination lawsuit. If so, we can help you initiate the legal process and ensure that your employer does not get away with breaking the law.
Pursuing a Wrongful Termination Complaint
In order to sue a former employer for wrongful termination, you must file a labor law complaint with a federal or state employment agency. If you are claiming a violation of federal employment laws, you would file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Alternatively, you can report your employer to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) if the basis of your claim has to do with the laws in California. Of course, it’s possible that your termination violates both federal and state laws. An employment lawyer at our office can help you decide which agency to file with and what you can expect once your complaint goes through the proper channels.
Filing a Lawsuit for Monetary Damages
After the EEOC or CRD reviews your complaint, they may take punitive actions against your employer or give you the right to file a civil lawsuit. To go ahead with a lawsuit, you must receive a Right to Sue letter from either agency. This type of legal action allows you ask for compensation from
Providence Health & Services, like lost wages and pain and suffering. It’s essential to understand your case value and the damages you are entitled to. We can help you with these and other concerns that have to do with your legal rights, so please get in touch and schedule a free case review.
Important Timelines for a Wrongful Termination Claim
Claims involving employment disputes have numerous deadlines that you should be aware of at all times. To ensure that you do not miss the chance to seek justice after a wrongful termination, please note the following:
- Claims for discrimination and retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission generally have a deadline of 180 days from the date of violation. However, California employees have up to 300 days to file an EEOC complaint against Provident Health & Services.
- For complaints filed with the California Civil Rights Department, the deadline is 1 year from when the violation occurred.
- If the Right to Sue letter is issued by the EEOC, you have 90 days from receiving the letter to file a lawsuit.
- Upon receiving a Right to Sue notice from the CRD, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is 1 year.
Staying on top of these deadlines can be difficult, especially when you have as little as 90 days to file the necessary paperwork and documentation for a lawsuit. To ensure a smooth transition from one step to another, we suggest that you work with a wrongful termination attorney right from the start. Our law firm is ready to fight for you and the compensation you deserve, so contact our office in Los Angeles as soon as possible.
Contact a Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer
The legal team of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group is ready to provide you with information on how to pursue a claim for wrongful termination. Whether you want to initiate a legal case or have questions about an existing claim, please know that we are here for you every step of the way. Our attorneys have decades of experience in lawsuits for workplace discrimination and retaliation, so you can count on us for effective, skilled representation from day one.
We believe in making legal services accessible to anyone who was victimized by an unjust employer. With that in mind, we represent all clients on contingency, meaning we do not get paid until your compensation check is released by your employer. You also pay absolutely nothing if we fail to win your case, which is a promise we make to each client under the Zero Fee Guarantee.
At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose by taking some time to speak with a lawyer that specializes in wrongful terminations. All you have to do is contact us and arrange for a consultation, completely free of charge.
