West Covina Wrongful Termination Lawyer

After spending years learning and training in your field, starting your career is a thrilling and exciting new venture. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are and should be proud of your employment, whether you work at an office building in Walnut Valley or in the retail industry along South Azura Avenue. However, when termination occurs for an illegal reason, the consequences can be devastating. A West Covina wrongful termination lawyer can help you.

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Trust the Team at GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP

At GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP, we understand just how painful being wrongfully terminated can feel. Our attorneys are here to work closely with you and evaluate your case, reviewing all of the material that can help prove you have suffered a wrongful termination. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for employee rights across California and are here to protect you, whatever your employment law case might entail. Count on us to have your back today.

Defining Wrongful Termination in West Covina, CA

In California, wrongful termination is just one of several ways your employer can illegally retaliate or discriminate against you or violate your employment rights. According to a recent study, about 32% of people in the United States will be fired from their jobs at least once in their lives. However, not all cases of being fired involve wrongful termination.

California operates as an at-will state, meaning that an employer can fire someone for any reason or no reason at all, unless that reason is illegal. Before you can file a wrongful termination claim, it is first very important to establish whether you have been wrongfully terminated in the first place or if your employer had a valid reason for taking the action they did.

Types of Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for a reason that directly violates their state or federal employment rights. The most common forms of wrongful termination include:

• Retaliation. In West Covina, an employer cannot fire you for reporting any kind of workplace discrimination, harassment, or any kind of illegal activity, like safety violations or fraud.
• Discrimination. When an employee is fired based on their gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, this is illegal under both state and federal law. According to one study, 42% of American workers have experienced or seen racial discrimination at their place of employment.
• Breach of employment contracts. If you have an existing employment contract in place that outlines the conditions of any possible termination, your employer must follow those terms. If they do not, then you may be able to file a wrongful termination claim against your employer.
• Whistleblower retaliation. Any employee who reports unethical or illegal behavior or business practices of their employer is protected under whistleblower and California labor law. In a recent study, approximately 41% of American workers are aware of wrongdoing at their workplaces.
• Violation of public policy. In West Covina, your employer cannot legally fire you for exercising any of your legal rights, such as taking necessary medical leave, serving on a jury, or filing a rightful workers’ compensation claim.

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, the team at GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP is here to serve you. Allow us to come alongside you at this difficult time, review your case, and determine the fair and full amount of compensation you may be entitled to recover.

What to Do if You Suspect Wrongful Termination

If you suspect that you have been the victim of wrongful termination at your West Covina place of work, there are certain steps to take to protect yourself and any future claim you may wish to file. Your employer needs to be held accountable for the pain and suffering you have sustained as a result of your termination, and at GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP, we wholeheartedly believe that you have legal rights that must be respected.

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, take the following steps:

• Remain calm and avoid any kind of emotional outburst
• Gather evidence that can back up your case, such as all related documents, communication with your employer, and possible eyewitness statements
• Prepare a detailed timeline of the events leading up to your wrongful termination
• Speak with an experienced and trusted wrongful termination lawyer and allow them to review your case in order to determine the validity of a potential claim

FAQs

Q: What Compensation Can I Recover for Wrongful Termination?

A: In cases of wrongful termination, there are several forms of damages you may be able to recover, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. These damages can include any lost wages, lost benefits, or lost future earnings, emotional suffering and distress, and–in rare cases–punitive damages to punish your employer for any egregious wrongdoing.

Q: What Are the Warning Signs of Possible Wrongful Termination?

A: If you suspect you might be wrongfully terminated in the near future, it is important to be aware of certain warning signs. These warning signs can include a noticeable shift in how you are treated at work, any discrimination or harassment, or sudden changes in your work duties or hours.

Q: What Are Some Examples of “Good Cause” Termination?

A: Not every case of termination is illegal. In fact, there are several reasons why your employer might have good cause to terminate your employment. These reasons can include serious misconduct on the employee’s part, such as theft, assault, or fraud; insubordination; breach of company policies; chronic absenteeism or tardiness; or consistently underperforming in job duties, despite warnings or training.

Q: How Can a Wrongful Termination Lawyer Help Me?

A: There are several ways in which a wrongful termination lawyer can help you. First, we are here to offer you solid, experienced legal advice and to explain your rights as an employee. We are also here to help gather evidence necessary to prove you have suffered monetary and emotional damages and file all required paperwork. Let us handle the negotiations with your previous employer and, if needed, take your case to court.

Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

If you have been wrongfully terminated from your employment in West Covina, now is the time to take action. Contact GUZMÁN & TOKAR LLP and hire a wrongful termination lawyer today.