Wrongful termination cases arise in a variety of different ways. Oftentimes, an employee experiences an injury while at work and is later terminated because of his or her injury. Other times, an employer retaliates against an employee for reporting an alleged violation of a law, reporting or complaining about workplace harassment or discrimination, or for requesting accommodations.
California is an “at will” employment state, meaning employees may be terminated for any reason, or for no reason at all. However, there are certain safeguards in place. An employer cannot terminate an employee for an illegal reason, including the following:
- Discrimination on the basis of age, race, national origin, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other protected classes
- An employee exercising his or her rights, including the right to blow the whistle on an employer’s illegal or fraudulent actions or refusing to participate in such actions
- Firing an employee in violation of family medical leave laws
- Retaliation for reporting or complaining of discrimination.
If you believe that you have been wrongfully and unlawfully terminated by your employer, you may have the right to compensation for damages, lost wages, and benefits and for emotional distress. Wrongful termination can be difficult on your mental health and some individuals even require psychological treatment to cope with their stress and anxiety.
At KTL, we understand that wrongful termination can have significant impacts on an employee’s life. Wrongful termination can be overwhelming both emotionally and financially and KTL is ready to help alleviate any burdens you may be facing.