Every worker deserves to be treated fairly by their employer. This is not merely a vague statement. In California, labor laws have long been established to ensure that employers are not able to legally take advantage of their workers.
Unfortunately, there are far too many companies, corporations, and private businesses that fail to treat their employees properly. Many workers throughout the state are still forced to deal with discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace. If they speak out, they may be forced to accept a demotion or a wrongful termination.
When employers retaliate against workers who have voiced their concerns regarding improper conduct, those employers are breaking the law. An employee who has been mistreated or even terminated for bringing to light an employer’s poor conduct often has the option of taking legal action accordingly. However, because these cases may be very complicated, and proving that an employer has broken the law can be difficult without conducting a thorough investigation to gather evidence, anyone who believes they have been wrongfully terminated in California should enlist the help of an experienced legal expert to protect their rights in these circumstances.
My name is Matthew A. Kaufman and I am a California wrongful termination attorney. For more than two decades the legal team at The Kaufman Law Firm has successfully represented countless men and women and helped them recover the compensation they deserved. Do you have any reason to believe you were terminated from a job for reasons that are against the law? If so, we can help you pursue justice.
Losing your job is rarely a pleasant experience. It’s also one that most long-term members of the workforce will face at some point in their lives.
Sometimes, workers are terminated due to genuine performance or behavior issues. Others may lose their jobs not because they are unqualified for them, but simply because their employers no longer can afford to continue paying them for reasons that may be beyond their control. Still, there are potential scenarios in which an employer may terminate a worker despite not having a valid reason to do so.
Because California is an “at will” employment state, most employees can be terminated at any time for any or no reason. However, there are laws that make it illegal for employers to terminate workers due to the following:
In addition to wrongful termination, the California employment attorneys at The Kaufman Law Firm also represent clients who have unpaid or denied overtime, unpaid commissions, or wage and hour disputes with their employers. It is part of our complete commitment to protecting the rights of workers in Ventura County and throughout Southern California.
Don’t worry if you are not completely certain you are justified in bringing a wrongful termination case against a former employer. Often, when employers terminate workers illegally, they fabricate genuine reasons for terminating employees in an attempt to guard against being the target of claims or lawsuits. If you suspect an employer may have deceived you when providing a reason for your termination, you can discuss your case with a California wrongful termination attorney to learn if you have grounds to take legal action against them. Be aware that if an employer has terminated you for reasons that are not justified by the law, they may attempt to do the same to future employees. Holding them accountable for their actions will reduce the odds of this happening in the future.
The loss of a job can be devastating. Most people in Ventura County rely on their jobs to make a comfortable living to support themselves and their families. But when an employee is terminated due to illegal business practices, they are entitled to seek damages for their lost wages and income. The California wrongful termination attorney at The Kaufman Law Firm utilizes an aggressive and comprehensive approach as part of our commitment to place each client in the best position to succeed. Our attorneys and legal staff can provide the following services:
Perhaps most importantly, our team of California wrongful termination legal experts are prepared to thoroughly investigate your case. This is critical. Proving that you were terminated for illegal reasons often requires gathering and presenting relatively large amounts of evidence indicating an employer did not have a valid reason to let you go or fire you when they chose to do so. Although you may not have access to the resources needed to conduct such an investigation on your own, our experts can investigate the issue on your behalf. We can also handle all the time-consuming tasks and processes involved in bringing your former employer to justice. This allows you to focus on securing new employment after losing a job unexpectedly.
It is imperative that you get started on your wrongful termination case as soon as possible. Each state is responsible for setting time limits for how long victims have to file lawsuits after they believe they have been wrongfully terminated. In California, the wrongful termination statute of limitations varies depending on the cause of the wrongful termination.
If a wrongful termination occurs in violation of public policy, victims will have two years with which to file a lawsuit against their employer. In general, employers can fire an employee for any reason and at any time unless there is a violation of public policy or a violation of laws that protect employees from discrimination and harassment.
For termination occurs as a result of discrimination or harassment, these claims can be filed under two types of law:
Both state and federal laws in this situation set out specific statutes of limitation. In most federal anti-discrimination cases, employees have 180 days from the date of their termination to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This begins the process that could ultimately lead to the employee bringing a civil action in federal court.
If there is a state or local agency available for employees to turn to, such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in California, the statute of limitations for wrongful termination cases is 300 days after the date of termination.
If the EEOC or DFEH does not resolve the issue, it will issue a notice of right to sue. When this notice is issued, the employee will have 90 days to file a civil action in court.
If you or somebody you love has been wrongfully terminated, there may be various types of compensation available if your case is successful in court. This includes:
The total amount of money awarded in wrongful termination cases will vary depending on the factors related to each particular claim. A skilled California wrongful termination lawyer will use their resources to thoroughly investigate your claim and properly calculate the total amount of compensation that you should be awarded if your claim is successful.
When you need a California wrongful termination attorney, The Kaufman Law Firm is standing by to help. You can contact us for a consultation by clicking here or calling us at 818-990-1999.
Not all cases of wrongful termination are the same. When choosing an attorney, it is important to select a legal professional with an extensive track record of getting results. The legal team at The Kaufman Law Firm understands the challenges and obstacles facing those who have lost their job due to wrongful termination. From the time a potential client visits our California law office for their initial consultation, my legal staff and I will address all of your questions and concerns about employment law. If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, take the first step towards fighting back and recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact the law offices of The Kaufman Law Firm and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
Your job is more than just a source of income. It is a major part of your lifestyle. If you have been the victim of wrongful termination, wrongful demotion or any kind of discriminatory business practices, it is time to take action and contact a Ventura employment law attorney that can help. Attorney Matthew A. Kaufman and the team at The Kaufman Law Firm bring experience and a vast arsenal of legal resources to help clients recover the money they deserve.
To learn more, contact our California law office today and schedule an initial evaluation to discuss your case.