Wrongful termination is when an employer initiates a separation of employment that is motivated and based on unlawful or illegal reasons. Most California workers are considered “at will”, which means that absent an employment contract, they can be fired with or without cause unless the reason for the termination is unlawful. However, if you are fired for a legal or lawful reason, it is not considered wrongful termination.
If you are wrongfully terminated, you will have recourse to legal remedies. The first step you should take if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated is to hire an experienced Irvine wrongful termination attorney to protect your legal rights and help you get the full compensation you deserve.
Common Unlawful Reasons Leading to Wrongful Termination
Although your employer will usually claim there is legal basis for your termination, it can also be a sham reason to cover up the fact that the employer terminated you for an unlawful reason.
California’s preeminent anti-discrimination law, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California Government Code sections 12900 – 12996, prohibits employers from discriminating and retaliating based on protected personal characteristics. These protections include:
- Race
- Religious creed
- Color
- Actual or perceived national origin and ancestry
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Medical condition
- Marital status
- Sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- Age (limited to individuals who are at least 40 years old)
- Veteran or military status
If you believe your employer terminated you for any of these protected characteristic reasons listed above, you may have been wrongfully terminated. You should immediately contact an Irvine wrongful termination attorney to protect your legal rights.
Compensation in Wrongful Termination Cases
The amount of damages, both economic and non-economic losses, you suffered due to wrongful termination can vary depending on the specific facts of your case. California law allows you to recover financial compensation for both past and future losses. Below are some common types of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Lost wages
- Lost employment benefits
- Costs of searching for a new job
- Therapy or medical care
- Punitive damages
The amount of compensation you are entitled to in a wrongful termination case will depend on the damages you suffered. An experienced attorney can help you calculate the value of your wrongful termination claim through an in-depth look at how it impacted your life and livelihood.
Wrongfully Terminated? Call Us.
If you or someone you know has been wrongfully terminated, you need to hire an experienced Irvine employment law attorney to protect your legal rights and get you the full extent of the compensation that you deserve.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced attorney, call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas at (888) 848-5084.
