Palo Alto Wrongful Termination Lawyer
In California, there are certain reasons for which an employer cannot terminate an employee. Although most workers in the state are “at-will,” there are reasons for terminating an employee that violate the law. For workers who face wrongful termination, the law provides remedies. If you believe that your employer wrongfully terminated you, contact the Costanzo Law Firm today to speak to an experienced Palo Alto wrongful termination lawyer. Our dedicated lawyers are here to help you protect your rights. Call us today at 408-993-8493 to schedule a consultation.
Job Contracts and Termination in Palo Alto
Most employees may face termination at any point in time without being notified of the reason that their employer is letting them go. Other employees have job contracts that specify the terms of their employment and relationship with their employer. If you have an employment contract that states the reasons for which your employer can terminate your position and your employer violates the terms, then your employer has breached your contract. If you believe your employer breached your employment contract, contact a Palo Alto employment law attorney.
Discrimination and Termination in Palo Alto
In California, it is illegal to fire any employee, including those working “at-will,” for reasons that qualify as unlawful discrimination. For instance, terminating an individual for reasons related to their national origin, race, color, religion, gender, age, pregnancy, or disability is considered illegal. If you believe your employer terminated you based on any protected categories, it is important to speak to an attorney right away. The law contains time limits on when an individual can file a claim for wrongful termination. Contact a Palo Alto employment law attorney to discuss your claim and ensure that your rights are protected.
Whistleblowing Retaliation in Palo Alto
Employees often worry that taking actions against their employers can result in severe consequences. When businesses engage in practices that place workers or the public at risk or violate the law, employees are most likely to be the ones who learn about such wrongful practices. It is important that employees feel that they are able to report such issues in order to protect the public and avoid illegal business practices from continuing. Of course, an employer who is engaged in wrongful and potentially illegal conduct will often not appreciate an employee reporting those violations. In order to protect individuals who report wrongful actions taken by their employers, California law prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers. If you believe that you were wrongfully terminated because you reported your employer’s violation, contact a Palo Alto employment law attorney today.
How to File a Claim in Palo Alto
The first step to filing a claim for wrongful termination will be to contact the EEOC or the California DFEH to report your employer’s wrongful actions. In order to protect yourself, you should keep careful documentation of everything related to your claim. Your case could depend on details related to incidents that occurred at work. Include the date and time of any incidents, as well as where the events occurred and witnesses. Also, keep any employment-related documentation, such as contracts, employee handbooks, termination notices, and reviews of your workplace performance. Maintaining such documentation will help you build a case against your employer. Avoid using social media to complain about what happened at work, as this can sometimes end up working against an individual. Remember that it is important to file your claim in a timely manner. Time limits will prevent the filing of a claim if you wait too long, and there are a number of deadlines related to when you can file with the EEOC, as well as timelines for when you must agree to severance packages or filing a lawsuit.
Damages in Wrongful Termination Claims in Palo Alto
If you are successful in proving that your employer wrongfully terminated you, you will be able to recover money damages from that employer. For instance, you will likely be entitled to lost wages. You will be able to request any payment which you earned but have not received, including overtime pay. If you would have received wages had you not been fired, you will be able to receive that back pay as well. If you took a job that pays less than your old position, you might be able to recover damages to compensate you for the reduced amount of income. If you lost certain benefits as a result of your termination, you might be able to recover the value of those as well. In some instances, damages for your emotional distress can be included. In cases where the employer acted in a way that is particularly abusive or distressing, these damages will be more likely. You may be required to prove that you suffered from anxiety or depression because of the actions taken by your employer. In some instances, it is possible to recover punitive damages as well as attorneys’ fees. Punitive damages do not compensate for actual losses but are instead used as a way to penalize defendants who engaged in particularly egregious wrongful behavior.
Call the Costanzo Law Firm Today for Help With a Palo Alto Wrongful Termination Claim
At the Costanzo Law Firm, our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of California’s workers. Call us today at 408-993-8493 for a consultation with one of our experienced Palo Alto, California, employment law attorneys.
