As employees in the state of California, the law provides certain rights and protections—including ensuring safe and inclusive workplaces, equitable treatment and pay, fair leave policies, protections from retaliatory conduct, wrongful termination, and more.
But all too often, workers are unlawfully mistreated by the same companies they rely on to make a living. If this is the case, legal action may be taken against the employer.
At the Dolan Law, our employment law attorneys are accomplished in the field and available in the Los Angeles area. With our significant experience handling these types of cases, we now know how to advocate for our clients to build the strongest case possible for them.
To contact an employment lawyer in Los Angeles, call us toll free at 800-339-0352 or fill out our contact form to arrange a free evaluation.
Our Los Angeles employment law practice areas
There are many reasons to take legal action against an employer. The most common employment law cases we handle in Los Angeles are the following:
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Leave violations
- Wage violations
- Whistleblower retaliation
- Wrongful termination
Discrimination
The law prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics such as disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, and more. If an employer treats an employee differently or denies them opportunities because of any of these characteristics, an employment discrimination lawsuit could be filed against the employer.
Harassment
Harassment includes any unwanted speech or behavior that an individual experiences persistently over a period of time, or which is egregious. Sexual harassment is unfortunately quite common. Any actions that contribute to a hostile work environment, from offensive jokes to racial slurs, may be considered a form of harassment. There are other types of harassment as well.
Leave violations
Under California law, employers are required to provide for family medical leave (including pregnancy), military commitments, and voting in certain circumstances. If an employee meets the criteria for leave and is denied all or part of the leave, this constitutes a violation of an employee’s rights.
Wage violations
Wage violation cases occur in several different ways, such as:
- If earned wages are withheld.
- If overtime pay as a non-exempt employee is denied.
- If the employer deliberately misstates the number of hours worked.
Whistleblower retaliation
Employees have a responsibility to report any illegal, unethical, or dangerous activity their employer engages in—and California and federal laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation from their companies when they speak out. Retaliation, or even dismissal for reporting any wrongdoing may be a whistleblower violation.
Wrongful termination
California is considered an “at-will” employment state, meaning an employer is generally free to fire an employee at any time and without cause. However, this does not mean they can fire an employee for illegal reasons, including discrimination, harassment, whistleblower retaliation, etc. In these cases, it is possible to file a claim for wrongful termination.
Even a well-liked or trusted employer can be found in violation of employment law. Unfortunately, no employee is safe from this type of practice. Between 2009 and 2021, the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission received an average of over 5,800 charge filings each year for employment law concerns in California, including discrimination, retaliation, and equal pay violations.
If you have been fired in an unlawful manner, you can contact Dolan Law today to discuss your case.
How a Los Angeles employment lawyer can help you
Even if a person is not sure they have a case, any employee has the ability to reach out to an employment lawyer. The lawyer will help the client assess their options and decide the best course of action for their case. The applicable statute of limitations is specific to each employment case. Thus, it is best not to wait and risk missing the deadline or losing any chance of taking legal action against the employer.
In cases where an employment law claim is filed, a Los Angeles employment law lawyer like the Dolan Law Firm will:
- Investigate the case to get the full details of what happened and when, so we can determine which laws were broken, identify the relevant statutes of limitation and estimate potential damages.
- Gather evidence, including witness testimony, written or physical evidence, and other circumstantial evidence, to prove liability on the part of the employer.
- Assist with the claim and recovery by working with insurance companies on the client’s behalf.
- Represent the client in all legal situations.
- Negotiate and litigate with the employer. Although fair out-of-court settlements are often preferred, taking cases to trial is always an option if necessary.
Proving a Los Angeles employment lawsuit
One of the challenges of an employment lawsuit is proving deliberate misconduct by the employer. This is particularly true in discrimination or harassment cases, where direct evidence can be difficult to find. It should also be kept in mind that not all cases of unfair treatment or even dismissal are necessarily illegal.
For employment law cases, there are two different kinds of evidence:
- Direct evidence: Direct evidence includes clear statements (either written or verbal) or other concrete evidence implicating company management or employees that intentionally acted in a discriminatory or harassing manner.
- Indirect evidence: Also known as circumstantial evidence, indirect evidence relies on suspicious decisions or ongoing patterns of behavior that point to the wrongful intent by your employer.
Indirect evidence is usually more common in these types of cases because companies are unlikely to openly admit to illegal conduct. Managers, in particular, usually go through intensive training on what they should and should not say to employees.
Indirect evidence alone may be enough to have a valid case. To discuss further details, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes the Dolan Law Firm the best employment law attorney to handle my case?
As one of the premier plaintiffs’ law firms in California, we know how to advocate for our clients. For years, we have represented clients in a variety of employment law cases, with millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts—including the largest verdict ever, $61 million, for racial and ethnic discrimination, and a $20 million verdict for a woman in a whistleblower retaliation case.
Our team of 15 attorneys, led by founder Chris Dolan, are well-recognized by state and industry organizations for our expertise and our accomplishments in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas.
View our success stories to learn more about what we have done for our clients, and contact us today to discuss your case with a free consultation.
What kind of settlement could I expect to get from my employment law case?
The particulars of each case does not allow us to estimate the amount of recovery, or even the existence of possible compensation. It depends on the details of the case and the damages suffered, among other factors including insurance and the ability of an employer to pay. Nonetheless, our Los Angeles employment law firm makes sure to carefully review each case to assess the financial and non-financial losses and advise the client on the best course of action.
What would you charge to represent me as my Los Angeles employment law attorney?
We understand that in the event of damages caused by an employer’s illegal actions, paying directly for representation would be difficult. At the Dolan Law Firm, we put our clients’ emotional and financial well-being first. We never ask for payment upfront. Instead, we work on a contingency fee basis, so we do not get paid unless we win you a verdict or a settlement.
How long can I expect my Los Angeles employment law case to take?
Any legal action can be a time-consuming process, both in the time needed to investigate and prepare a case, and in the time needed to work through the legal system. For this reason, we cannot provide a precise time frame. However, we strive to handle each case quickly and efficiently, keeping our clients informed at every stage of the proceedings so that they always know where they stand.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 800-339-0352.
