When an employer fires you without legal justification, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim. At Dordick Law Corporation, our wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles represent employees throughout Los Angeles who have been illegally terminated due to discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or violation of public policy. We understand the financial and emotional toll of losing your job unfairly, and we fight to hold employers accountable while securing the compensation you deserve. Our employment lawyer Los Angeles team brings extensive experience in wrongful termination cases.
How Dordick Law Corporation Handles Wrongful Termination Cases
At Dordick Law Corporation, we represent employees throughout Los Angeles who have experienced wrongful termination. Our approach combines thorough investigation, strategic case development, and aggressive advocacy to protect your rights and maximize your recovery. We understand the complexities of California labor and employment law and work diligently to build strong cases.
Case Evaluation and Investigation
Our lawyers begin by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your termination. We review your employment history, personnel records, communications with management, and the circumstances surrounding your firing. We investigate whether your termination violated California employment law or your employment contract. Our investigation process is thorough and detail-oriented.
Our investigation includes analyzing your employment documentation and company policies to identify violations, identifying witnesses who can support your claim, gathering evidence of discriminatory or retaliatory intent, reviewing company communications and decision-making processes, and determining applicable statutes of limitations. We examine the timing of your termination relative to protected conduct, compare your treatment to similarly situated employees outside your protected class, and analyze company records for patterns of discrimination or retaliation.
Building Your Case
We develop a strategic approach tailored to your specific circumstances. Whether your case involves discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or violation of public policy, we build a compelling narrative supported by evidence. We identify the strongest legal theories applicable to your situation and develop evidence to support each element of your claim. Our attorneys have extensive experience with all types of wrongful termination claims.
At Dordick Law Corporation, we handle all aspects of your wrongful termination claim. This includes administrative complaints and litigation. We file complaints with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) when appropriate. Additionally, we negotiate with employers and their insurers to pursue fair settlements. When necessary, we prepare cases for trial to work toward the best possible compensation for you.
Client Support Throughout the Process
We keep you informed at every stage of your case. We explain your legal options, answer your questions, and provide guidance on next steps. You work directly with our attorneys, not paralegals or case managers. We understand the stress of wrongful termination and provide compassionate, responsive representation. Your success is our priority.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or fees. We recover our fees only if we obtain compensation for you through settlement or trial verdict. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours—we succeed only when you succeed. This fee structure removes financial barriers to pursuing your claim.
What Constitutes Wrongful Termination in California?
California recognizes the at-will employment doctrine, which allows employers to terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all—with one critical caveat. This doctrine contains important exceptions that protect workers from illegal termination. Understanding these exceptions is crucial if you believe your termination violated your rights.
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in violation of California law, public policy, or an employment contract. The termination must breach a fundamental public policy or violate an explicit or implied employment agreement. California courts recognize several categories of wrongful termination claims, each with distinct legal standards and remedies.
California law recognizes several exceptions to at-will employment. Employers cannot terminate employees based on protected characteristics including race, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin. Employers also cannot retaliate against employees for protected conduct such as reporting illegal activity, serving on jury duty, taking FMLA leave, or filing workers’ compensation claims. These protections are codified in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which provides comprehensive anti-discrimination protections.
Additionally, employers must honor employment contracts that promise job security or specify termination procedures. Finally, employers cannot fire employees for conduct that furthers public policy, such as voting, serving in the military, or refusing to commit crimes. Religious accommodation protections, including Sabbath work accommodations, are provided under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Labor Code Section 1102.5 protects whistleblowers who report violations of law to government agencies or management. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits termination based on protected characteristics and retaliation for opposing discriminatory conduct. If you believe you’ve been terminated in violation of these protections, consulting with a wrongful termination attorney is essential.
Understanding these protections is essential if you believe your termination was unlawful. Dordick Law Corporation evaluates each case to determine whether your termination violated California employment law and what compensation you may recover.
Common Reasons Your Termination May Be Illegal
Employers cannot legally terminate employees for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation for protected conduct. Understanding the common grounds for wrongful termination helps you evaluate your situation and determine whether you have a viable claim. Many employees don’t realize they have legal protections against certain types of terminations.
Discrimination-Based Termination
Termination based on protected characteristics violates the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). California law prohibits discrimination based on race or color, gender or sex, age (40 and older under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act; any age under FEHA), disability (physical or mental), religion or religious creed, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, and military or veteran status.
An employer cannot fire you because of your membership in any protected class, even if other employees with different characteristics were retained. Discrimination can be direct (explicit statements about your protected characteristic) or indirect (facially neutral policies applied in a discriminatory manner). Discrimination termination claims require evidence of the employer’s discriminatory intent or impact.
Retaliation for Protected Conduct
California law prohibits termination in retaliation for protected conduct. Whistleblower protection under Labor Code Section 1102.5 prevents employers from firing employees who report violations of law to government agencies or internally to management. Protected whistleblowing includes reporting violations of environmental law, safety regulations, wage and hour laws, and other legal requirements.
Employees also receive protection for taking protected leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) protect employees who take leave for serious health conditions, bonding with a new child via birth or adoption, military exigency leave, military caregiver leave, and other qualifying reasons. Employers cannot retaliate against employees for requesting or taking this leave. These protections are enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Employees who file workers’ compensation claims receive statutory protection against retaliation. Employers cannot terminate, threaten, or discriminate against employees for filing legitimate workers’ compensation claims. Additionally, employees who serve on jury duty, appear as witnesses, or participate in legal proceedings receive protection from termination. Retaliation termination claims require careful documentation and strategic advocacy.
Breach of Employment Contract
If you had an express or implied employment contract promising job security or specific termination procedures, your employer must follow those terms. Express contracts are written agreements specifying employment terms. Implied contracts arise from the employer’s conduct, statements, or established practices that create reasonable expectations of job security or specific termination procedures.
Termination in violation of the contract constitutes wrongful discharge. You can recover damages for breach of contract even if the termination did not violate public policy or involve discrimination. Contract-based claims offer an alternative legal theory when discrimination or retaliation claims may be difficult to prove.
Violation of Public Policy
California protects employees from termination for conduct that furthers public policy. This includes voting, serving in the military, performing jury duty, and refusing to commit crimes. An employee cannot be fired for exercising fundamental rights or for refusing to violate the law. Public policy exceptions represent California’s commitment to protecting employee rights.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Wrongful termination claims can result in substantial compensation. The damages available depend on the nature of your claim and the evidence supporting it. Understanding the types of compensation available helps you evaluate your case and set realistic expectations. Our attorneys work to maximize your recovery in every case.
Back Pay and Lost Wages
You can recover all wages you would have earned from the date of termination until the case resolves. This includes salary, bonuses, commissions, and benefits you lost due to the wrongful termination. Back pay calculations account for raises and promotions you would have received had you remained employed. This compensation addresses your immediate financial losses.
Front Pay
In some cases, courts award front pay—compensation for future earnings you will lose due to the wrongful termination. This applies when reinstatement is not feasible or desirable. Front pay extends from the date of settlement or judgment until you would have reached retirement age or a reasonable future date. Front pay provides long-term financial security.
Emotional Distress Damages
Wrongful termination causes significant emotional harm. You can recover damages for anxiety, depression, humiliation, loss of self-esteem, and other emotional injuries resulting from the illegal termination. These damages compensate you for the non-economic harm you suffered. Emotional distress is a recognized and recoverable form of damages in California employment law.
Punitive Damages
In discrimination and retaliation cases involving intentional misconduct, California law allows punitive damages. These damages punish the employer for egregious conduct and deter similar behavior. Punitive damages are available when the employer acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. Punitive damages can significantly increase your total recovery.
Attorney Fees and Costs
Under California law, prevailing employees in discrimination and retaliation cases can recover attorney fees and litigation costs from the employer. This means your recovery is not reduced by legal expenses. The employer pays your attorney fees, allowing you to retain more of your compensation. This provision encourages employees to pursue valid claims.
Damages Calculation
The total compensation in a wrongful termination case depends on several factors. These include your length of employment, salary and benefits, duration of unemployment, severity of emotional distress, employer’s conduct and intent, and applicable damages caps. Dordick Law Corporation pursues maximum compensation for our clients by evaluating all available damages and developing strategies to maximize your recovery. We have recovered substantial compensation for our clients through settlements and trial verdicts.
Steps to Take If You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, taking prompt action protects your legal rights and strengthens your case. The steps you take immediately after termination can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Time is critical in employment law cases.
Document Everything
Preserve all documentation related to your employment and termination. Collect performance reviews and evaluations, email communications with supervisors and colleagues, text messages and instant messages, your termination letter and any severance agreement, witness contact information, and records of discriminatory or retaliatory conduct. Store these documents in a safe location and make copies. Documentation is the foundation of a strong case.
File Administrative Complaints
Depending on your claim, you may need to file complaints with government agencies. For discrimination or retaliation claims, file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). For federal discrimination claims, file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). With regards to wage violations or retaliation related to wage claims, file with the California Labor Commissioner.
Filing administrative complaints is often required before pursuing civil litigation. These agencies investigate your complaint and issue right-to-sue letters, which allow you to proceed with lawsuits. Dordick Law Corporation handles the administrative complaint process for you. Our Los Angeles personal injury team manages all aspects of your claim. We understand the procedural requirements and deadlines.
Preserve Evidence
Do not delete emails, messages, or documents related to your employment or termination. Request your personnel file from your employer. Gather any evidence supporting your claim, including witness statements, company policies, and records of similar terminations. Evidence preservation is critical to your case’s success.
Consult an Attorney Promptly
Statutes of limitations apply to wrongful termination claims. Consulting an attorney ensures you meet filing deadlines and protect your rights. Dordick Law Corporation offers free consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. We answer your questions and provide guidance on next steps. Don’t delay—contact us today.
Why Choose Dordick Law Corporation for Your Wrongful Termination Claim?
Dordick Law Corporation brings extensive experience, personalized representation, and proven results to wrongful termination cases. We are committed to protecting employee rights and holding employers accountable for illegal conduct. Our track record speaks for itself.
Experience and Track Record
Our attorneys have successfully represented employees in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases throughout Los Angeles and California. We understand California employment law and the tactics employers use to defend these claims. We have recovered substantial compensation for our clients through settlements and trial verdicts. Our experience translates to better outcomes for you.
Personalized Representation
You work directly with our attorneys, not junior staff or case managers. We provide individualized attention to your case and develop strategies tailored to your specific circumstances. We understand that each wrongful termination case is unique, and we approach each matter with the care and attention it deserves. Your case matters to us.
No Upfront Costs
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees or costs. We recover our fees only if we obtain compensation for you. This arrangement removes financial barriers to pursuing your claim and ensures we work diligently to maximize your recovery. You have nothing to lose.
Local Los Angeles Presence
We maintain offices in Los Angeles and serve the surrounding communities. We understand the local employment landscape and court system. Our presence in the community allows us to develop relationships with judges, opposing counsel, and other legal professionals. Local expertise matters.
Commitment to Employee Rights
Our wrongful termination attorneys in Los Angeles are dedicated to protecting employee rights and holding employers accountable for illegal conduct. We pursue aggressive representation on behalf of our clients and do not hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to obtain fair compensation. We fight for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact Dordick Law Corporation Today
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, contact Dordick Law Corporation for a free consultation. Our Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys are ready to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless our firm recovers compensation for you.
Call (310) 551-0949 today or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. We serve employees throughout Los Angeles and California who have experienced wrongful termination due to discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or violation of public policy.
