Family emergencies don’t wait for convenient timing. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, caring for a parent, or welcoming a new child, you may have rights under California and federal leave laws.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we’ve helped workers across Southern California hold employers accountable for violating those rights. Our Long Beach family leave lawyers bring decades of combined experience and a reputation for standing up to companies that ignore the law.
When an employer punishes you for taking protected leave, that’s more than frustrating—it’s unlawful. Our Long Beach employment lawyers will take your case seriously and fight back.
What Qualifies as Protected Leave in Long Beach?
California offers some of the strongest leave protections in the country. Depending on your job, your situation, and your employer’s size, you may qualify for time off under:
- The California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)
- The New Parent Leave Act (NPLA)
- California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program
These laws protect your job while you care for your own health or that of a loved one. Qualifying reasons include childbirth, adoption, serious illness, mental health treatment, and more. Not every worker qualifies under every law, which is why it helps to speak with a Long Beach family leave attorney who knows how these programs intersect.
Common Employer Violations in Long Beach
Some employers know exactly what the law says but try to work around it. Others act out of fear, frustration, or a desire to control the situation. We’ve seen both, and we’ve seen how damaging it can be when companies treat protected leave like a problem to get rid of.
We’ve handled cases where employees were demoted, cut off from opportunities, or even fired after requesting time they had every right to take. Sometimes it’s subtle, such as getting sidelined from projects or left out of meetings. Other times, it’s more aggressive, like a manager suggesting you quit or accusing you of abandoning your job.
If any of that sounds familiar, reach out. A Long Beach employment lawyer from our team can step in and hold your employer accountable while you focus on what matters most.
(310) 526-8383Not Every Absence Qualifies—But Employers Still Cross the Line
Not every absence qualifies under family leave laws. If you took a few days off for a minor cold or didn’t follow your company’s notice policy, you might not be protected. But that doesn’t give your employer the right to deny legitimate claims or punish you for using leave you’re entitled to take.
We’ve seen employers misrepresent the facts—calling something “unexcused” when the employee followed the proper steps, gave notice, and provided documentation. These tactics aren’t just frustrating—they’re meant to scare workers into silence or back down from asserting their rights.
That’s where we come in. Your Long Beach family leave attorney can look at the timeline, review your documentation, and push back if your employer overstepped. We know what counts as a violation, and we know how to make it right.
What a Long Beach Family Leave Attorney Can Do
We don’t just send letters and file paperwork. We investigate what happened and show how your employer broke the law. Our team helps you:
- Gather and organize your medical records, leave requests, and communication with HR.
- File formal complaints with the CRD or EEOC, if needed.
- Build a legal claim that puts pressure on the employer to make things right.
Sometimes, that means getting your job back. In other situations, it means getting compensated for what you lost. Either way, we fight for a result that helps you move forward.
(310) 526-8383Steps to Take if Your Employer Denies Leave
If you’re still working, start keeping records right away. Save emails, texts, voicemails, and anything else related to your leave. Write down key conversations, dates, and who said what. If you’ve already lost your job, hold on to termination letters, pay stubs, and any written explanation they gave.
Your attorney can review the timeline and help make sense of what happened. That includes checking whether your employer followed the law, what protections apply to you, and whether your rights were violated.
We’ll handle communication with HR or company lawyers so you don’t have to. Our goal is to protect your privacy, your job, and your future.
Have you been involved
in an accident?
(310) 526-8383 How Much Time Do You Have to Take Action?
California law gives you a limited time to file a family leave claim. In many cases, you have three years to file a lawsuit for leave violations or retaliation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
But other deadlines may apply if your case involves federal laws like the FMLA or administrative complaints through the CRD or EEOC. Some of those deadlines are much shorter—sometimes as little as 180 days.
The sooner you speak with a Long Beach employment attorney, the better. We’ll help you understand which clock applies to your case and how to protect your rights before time runs out.
What You May Recover in a Family Leave Claim
If your employer violated your rights, you may be entitled to compensation for what you lost and what you went through. That can include:
- Back pay and lost benefits
- Civil penalties for the violation
- Compensation for emotional distress
In some cases, we can also push for reinstatement or negotiate a settlement that reflects the value of your job. We fight to have the employer cover your legal fees so that you’re not left paying out of pocket.
Talk to a Long Beach Family Leave Lawyer Who Listens
At Omega Law Group, we don’t treat your case like a routine complaint. We know what’s at stake when a job, paycheck, and health all collide. Our team brings clarity, compassion, and strategy to every case.
We’ve helped workers across Long Beach protect their rights after unfair treatment, and we’re ready to help you do the same. Call now to speak with a Long Beach family leave lawyer who treats your story like it matters. We’ll explain your options and handle the legal fight so you can focus on what matters most.
