Losing your job for any reason is a stressful and life-altering experience. When you are terminated for reasons you believe are unjust, it adds another level of frustration to the experience. It doesn’t seem fair when an unscrupulous employer causes so much harm.
It is easy to feel powerless, but the truth is you have rights, and you may be able to take legal action. Our wrongful termination lawyers in Costa Mesa can investigate your dismissal, file a legal claim against your employer if they behaved illegally, and seek compensation on your behalf.
Since 2016, our legal team at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys has put our clients first. Call for your free consultation and learn more about how our employment lawyers in Costa Mesa may help with your wrongful termination case.
At-Will Employment in California
California is an at-will employment state. Employers may hire or terminate employees at any time and for any reason, and employees may accept or leave a job at any time and for any reason. However, those reasons must comply with state and federal laws.
Our wrongful termination attorneys in Costa Mesa can investigate your claim and assess whether your former employer violated laws and regulations when they fired you. This can include circumstances that involved:
- Discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, or sex
- Retaliation for engaging in legally protected activities
- Termination that violates public policy
- Breach of an employment contract governing the terms of employment
- Constructive discharge, where an employer forces an employee to resign by making working conditions intolerable
What to Do if You Have Been Wrongfully Terminated
While it is natural to feel angry and frustrated if you have been fired for reasons you believe aren’t fair, keeping your composure and taking the right steps can make a big difference in the outcome of your case:
- Document Everything: Keep copies of your employment records, termination notices, and any other evidence that supports your claim.
- Request Written Clarification: If they haven’t already provided it, ask your former employer for written, official documentation of your dismissal.
- Get Legal Help: Reach out to our legal team for guidance before taking any actions against your employer. We can review your situation and help you move forward.
- Review Your Rights: Our attorneys can help you understand which laws or employment contracts your former employer violated.
- File a Complaint: Our team can help you file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Meet Deadlines: Be aware of time limits for filing claims. One of the major benefits of working with our firm is that we can keep you on track and help you mitigate common mistakes.
- Keep Records of All Communication: Maintain detailed notes of conversations, phone calls, and correspondence with your employer and any government agencies.
(310) 526-8383Compensation in a Wrongful Termination Claim
If your employer violated employment laws when they fired you, they may face fines and civil penalties. You can potentially recover compensation such as:
- Lost wages and unpaid overtime
- Reinstatement to your previous position
- Future lost wages if reinstatement isn’t possible
- Compensatory damages, such as emotional distress
While rare, in some situations, the court may award punitive damages if your employer engaged in especially malicious or reckless conduct. Our attorneys can advise you if these may apply to your claim.
Employment Laws in California
Federal and state employment laws outline the limitations an employer must consider when terminating you in an at-will state. Our Costa Mesa wrongful termination lawyers will look for evidence that your former employer violated regulations such as:
- Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, it is unlawful to terminate an employee on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, gender, or age.
- Federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, prohibit discriminatory and retaliatory terminations.
- California Labor Code section 1102.5 prohibits employers from terminating employees for reporting illegal conduct or suspected violations of law to a government agency or to company management.
Consult With Our Wrongful Termination Attorneys in Costa Mesa
Even though California is an at-will employment state, an employer must still comply with state and federal laws when terminating employees. If they terminate you illegally by violating your rights, contracts, or public policies, you may have a legal case against them.
You don’t have to take on your former employer and their legal team on your own. Our wrongful termination attorneys in Costa Mesa can offer guidance, investigate your case, and work to recover compensation for you and your family.
Omega Law Group is here to stand up for Californians and work to make sure they are treated fairly. Let our family take care of your family. Call today for your free consultation and tell us about your wrongful termination case.
