Did you know that California is an at-will employment state? What does an at-will state mean? In at-will states, the employer or employee can terminate their professional relationship anytime for any reason that does not violate the law.
While an employer can terminate an employee at any time, the employee can hold them liable if they believe they were fired for an unlawful reason.
Have you or your loved one been fired unlawfully? You need professional guidance to understand your available options. This blog discusses them to help you determine if you are eligible to file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Consult with a reputable workers’ comp lawyer in Los Angeles for personalized legal advice tailored to your situation.
In this state, firing an employee is considered wrongful termination if their reasons are discriminatory. These reasons include age, gender, religion, disability status, and other biases.
Although some wrongful terminations are straightforward, other cases are complicated and need meticulous investigation. For instance, In California, the law prohibits employers from firing employees for taking time off to serve in the military, serve on a jury, or vote.
List of Reasons the California Law Considers Wrongful Termination
- Terminating an employee for being pregnant
- Terminating an employee for seeking unpaid wages
- Terminating an employee for having a mental or physical disability
- Terminating an employee for being a whistleblower
- Terminating an employee based on age, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sex
- Terminating an employee for their political activities or political beliefs
What is Constructive Termination or Dismissal?
It occurs when an employer makes working conditions unbearable for employees, forcing them to resign. Here are some examples of constructive dismissal:
- Decreasing an employee’s pay without a justifiable reason
- Wrongfully accusing an employee of misconduct
- Humiliating an employee in the workplace
- Allowing hostile behaviors and sexual harassment in the work environment
- Making significant alterations to an employee’s workplace without notice
What Damages Can You Recover for Wrongful Termination?
The person who files the wrongful termination lawsuit can recover a variety of damages. An experienced employment law attorney can ensure you receive adequate economic, compensatory, and punitive damage compensation. The damages the person can generally recover in wrongful termination cases include:
- Lost wages like front pay, back pay, and benefits
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Attorney fees and costs
A Legal Professional’s Role
An attorney can help with their experience and expertise. The Law Office of Seydi A. Morales can help. I start by building a strong relationship with my clients. It enables me to deliver a quality legal representation personalized to my client’s unique needs. I look forward to helping you recover the compensation you are owed. I will analyze your case to determine the most effective strategy to get you justice and compensation. If you think you or your loved one has been wrongfully terminated in California.
