Long Beach Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Wrongful Termination Attorney in Long Beach, CA

let go or fired from a job is difficult and emotional. However, it is important to ensure that the terms of your termination are legal. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated from your job, it is essential to speak with a Long Beach wrongful termination lawyer who can evaluate your situation.

With years of experience, clients who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs turn to our attorneys, James R. Kristy and Kurt Kananen. From our Los Angeles area-based firm, Kristy & Kananen, we represent clients in a wide range of employment issues, including wrongful termination. We are dedicated to helping you exercise your rights and stand up to even the largest employer to ensure you get the result you deserve.

Why You Should Trust Kristy & Kananen?

At Kristy & Kananen, we know how damaging it is to lose your job for an unlawful reason. Since 2003, James Kristy has represented Southern California employees in wrongful-termination cases. We work closely with clients to investigate their claims, gather evidence, and fight for monetary damages.

Employment law is a major emphasis of our law practice. We are committed to helping workers recover monetary compensation for their employers’ unlawful acts. If you were wrongfully terminated, trust our team to provide the advocacy and results-driven representation you deserve.

Understanding Wrongful Terminations in Long Beach

Wrongful termination can happen if an employee is fired for reasons that violate federal or state law, such as retaliation, discrimination, or breach of contract. In 2022, the EEOC received 1,819 charges alleging unlawful discharge, many involving multiple forms of discrimination.

The courts also regularly address disputes between workers and employers. Contract cases represented 46% of incoming civil caseloads in 2023. Total employment in Long Beach was about 234,000 in 2023, and workers in neighborhoods like Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, and Alamitos Beach could all potentially face a wrongful termination claim.

Such claims are handled at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, which hears civil employment cases. Remedies for wrongful termination can include back pay, lost benefits, emotional distress damages, and, in certain cases, punitive damages to punish employers who violate their employees’ rights.

What Is At-Will Employment?

California employees are hired under a concept called “at-will employment.” This means that at any time, for any reason or no reason, an employee can be terminated from their job. The employer is not even obligated to provide an explanation. However, at-will employment does not cover situations in which an employee was terminated for illegal reasons, such as reporting discrimination or due to their being in one of the protected classifications. These include disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, race, national origin and more.

Terminations That Were Wrongful

Anything beyond legitimate performance concerns, violations of company best practices and guidelines, division-wide layoffs or other specific situations may constitute wrongful termination. Reporting discrimination or sexual harassment is not a basis for demotion or termination. Raising issues with management is not a basis for termination if the concerns were brought up in good faith. There are many other situations that would lead one to believe they were wrongfully terminated. However, only experienced employment lawyers like ours can determine if you have a case.

Were You Fired In Retaliation From A Long Beach Employer?

Sometimes an employer retaliates against an employee for engaging in legally protected activities. Under California labor law, employers cannot terminate or punish workers who exercise their rights. Reporting illegal conduct. If you were fired after standing up for your rights or speaking out against wrongdoing, you may have been a victim of retaliatory termination.

Retaliation can take many forms within the employment relationship. Termination for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal conduct is one such form. Illegal conduct includes fraudulent business practices, safety violations or financial misconduct. Employers cannot fire employees for helping with investigations of harassment, workplace discrimination or illegal activities. Your cooperation with internal investigations or government agencies is protected by law.

California workers have rights that employers must respect without retaliation. Taking time off work to vote or jury duty are civic responsibilities that cannot result in termination. Filing for workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace injury is another protected activity. Employers who fire workers for seeking compensation after job-related injuries face legal consequences.

Using legally-mandated sick leave or requesting reasonable accommodations for disabilities are protected activities. Long Beach employees can face retaliation for requesting wage compensation, including overtime pay or meal break premiums. Reporting safety violations to Cal/OSHA protects you and your coworkers. Employers cannot punish you for prioritizing workplace safety.

The timeline for retaliation cases is often telling. If your termination occurred shortly after engaging in protected activities, this can be evidence of retaliation. Employers may attempt to disguise retaliation by citing performance issues. Experienced employment law attorneys can identify these patterns.

Retaliatory termination violates both state and federal laws, potentially entitling you to compensation. Damages may include back pay, front pay, emotional distress compensation and attorney fees. In some cases, punitive damages may apply when employer conduct is particularly egregious.

If you suspect your Long Beach employer fired you in retaliation for exercising your rights, legal representation is crucial. Our attorneys understand the complexities of retaliation cases and can help you build a strong claim. We investigate the circumstances surrounding your termination, gather evidence of the protected activity, and demonstrate the connection between your actions and the adverse employment decision.

Do You Have A California Wrongful Termination Case?

You may suspect you were terminated wrongfully, but how can you know for sure? Here are some telltale indicators that your termination might have been useful:

• Discrimination: If you were terminated over gender, age, religion, disability, racial discrimination or another protected characteristic, you may have a case.
• Retaliation: If you were fired after reporting illegal activities, unsafe conditions or harassment, your termination might be retaliatory and therefore wrongful.
• Contract violations: If your termination breaches the terms of your employment contract, such as being fired without proper notice, it could be wrongful.
• Public policy violations: If you were let go for reasons that violate public policy, such as refusing to engage in illegal activities or taking time off for jury duty, this might constitute wrongful termination.

An employment attorney can be instrumental in determining whether your termination was just or wrongful. They will review your employment history, the circumstances surrounding your termination and any relevant documentation. By doing so, they can identify any violations and advise you on the strength of your case.

Filing a wrongful termination claim is a critical step in seeking justice and compensation. The claims process involves:

• Gathering evidence
• Filing the necessary paperwork
• Negotiating with your former employer or their legal representatives

An experienced wrongful termination lawyer can guide you through each step, ensuring you file correctly and within the statute of limitations. We can also:

• Evaluate your case: Assess the merits of your case and determine the best course of action
• Gather evidence: Help collect and organize the necessary evidence to support your claim
• Negotiate on your behalf: Work with your former employer to reach a fair settlement and potentially avoid a lengthy court battle
• Represent you in court: Protect you in court if your case goes to trial to achieve the best possible outcome

Consulting with an employment law firm can significantly increase your chances of a successful wrongful termination claim. We have the experience and skill required to present a compelling claim and push for maximum compensation, including punitive damages.

Compensation You Could Be Owed in a Wrongful Termination Case

If you have been wrongfully fired, you have the right to seek justice and financial recovery with the support of an employment attorney. These claims often stem from violations of California labor laws and acts of misconduct, like discrimination, retaliation, or breaches of contractual or statutory obligations.

An attorney can guide you through the process and oversee the drafting of an administrative complaint. They can also pursue a case directly in court. A successful claim can result in remedies like:

• Back pay
• Recovery of lost benefits
• Compensation for emotional distress
• Punitive damages aimed at punishing the employer for egregious misconduct (in some cases)

Successful claims can sometimes result in the complainant’s reinstatement, though many employees prefer to move forward at another place of work rather than return to their prior workplace. In those instances, compensation may be structured to cover the costs of transitioning into new employment.

Why You Should Hire a Long Beach Wrongful Termination Lawyer?

If you were wrongfully terminated, your first step should be to hire a wrongful termination lawyer who has years of experience with wrongful termination cases in Long Beach. With representation from a Long Beach wrongful termination attorney, you can rely on their knowledge of state and federal wrongful termination laws. They can pursue accountability and fair compensation for the harm you endured.

A lawyer can also manage the details of your case, which require careful wording and timely filings. They can gather evidence to support your claim, such as employment records, emails, and witness statements. Then, they can draft complaints with the proper agencies or take direct action by filing a civil claim in court.

Legal representation can remove you from a stressful situation because you will not have to deal directly with your former employer. An attorney can review your case to see what damages you are owed. Then, they can seek compensation through negotiations, an administrative complaint, or direct action in court if needed. Lawyers are more than representatives in the complaint process. They can also answer your questions and provide feedback on which steps you should take.

FAQs

Working Together With You On Your Case

We partner with our clients when pursuing their wrongful termination cases, working together to see that their rights are preserved. To learn more, schedule a free consultation at our office. Call us at 866-981-1498 or contact us via email.