Sacramento Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Wrongful termination happens for many different reasons. From race, gender and age discrimination to retaliation against whistleblowers, employers are prohibited by law from firing employees for reasons that violate their rights.
California is an at-will employment state, meaning that employees and employers can end an employment agreement at any time, without a specific reason.Â
However, federal and state laws exist to protect employees. If an employer’s reason for terminating you violates any of these laws, you likely have grounds for a wrongful termination suit, regardless of an at-will employment agreement.Â
When wrongful termination happens to you, you have two choices: Let it go, or fight for your rights. Wrongful termination attorneys fight on the employee’s behalf when an employer has violated the law and illegally fired an employee.Â
Cutter Law fights for employee rights. Our experienced Sacramento wrongful termination lawyers can review your case and take action on your behalf if you were wrongfully terminated.
Quick Links
- Types of Wrongful Termination Cases
- Wrongful Termination in California
- How a Sacramento Wrongful Termination Attorney Can Help
- How is wrongful termination proven in Sacramento?
- What compensation can I gain for wrongful termination?
- How long do I have to take action over wrongful termination in Sacramento?
- Cutter Law Helps Clients Fight Back
Types of Wrongful Termination Cases
If you believe you have been unfairly terminated in Sacramento, you might wonder whether you have grounds for legal action. Ultimately, a successful wrongful termination claim depends on two key factors: You were wrongfully terminated, and evidence exists to back your claim in court.Â
Before you give up on a case because you lack evidence, it is essential to speak with an employment lawyer. Legal professionals are often able to access and use company data to build a case in your defense.
Discrimination
One of the most common reasons for wrongful termination in Sacramento is discrimination. Examples of employer discrimination include termination for reasons related to the following protected classes:Â
- Race
- National origin
- Age
- Disability
- Religion
- Gender
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy
Employers also cannot terminate an employee for matters like military service or medical leave.
Employer Retaliation
Although discrimination is a common reason for wrongful termination claims in Sacramento, it is by no means the only grounds. Other common situations that can lead to a wrongful termination suit include:Â
- Whistleblowing
- Refusal to participate in illegal activities
- Reporting harassment
- Reporting or refusing to engage in unethical or fraudulent practices
In these examples, the common theme is wrongdoing by the employer. If an employee stands against illegal or unethical practices in the workplace and is terminated as a result, they have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Violation of Employment Agreement
One additional reason that might give rise to a wrongful termination claim is when a Sacramento company fails to follow its termination protocol.Â
In some cases, a company might violate its termination procedures, like failing to provide warnings and collect documentation before terminating an employee. In other cases, the company might breach an employment contract or union agreement. When this happens, you may be able to take action against an employer for not following policy.
Wrongful Termination in California
Many California laws are designed to offer protection by regulating the reasons for which an employer can terminate an employee.Â
The law protects employees from termination for certain discriminatory reasons under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and under federal law through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws outline which termination grounds are discriminatory, like race or sexual orientation.Â
The California Whistleblower Protection Act protects employees from other forms of employer retaliation. It is illegal for an employer to ask an employee to engage in illegal practices or to retaliate against an employee who reports wrongdoing by the company.
How a Sacramento Wrongful Termination Attorney Can Help
Proving wrongful termination can be a complicated process. When an employer terminates someone wrongfully, they might be aware their actions are illegal. It is common for an employer to deny the claim and hide or destroy the evidence that could support the victim’s case.Â
The first step in taking action over wrongful termination is to consult with a wrongful termination attorney who has experience handling your type of case. Once an attorney agrees to take your case, the process of collecting evidence and initiating legal action can begin.
How is wrongful termination proven in Sacramento?
A wrongful termination lawyer’s job is to collect evidence and build a case to prove your employer terminated you wrongfully.Â
Typically, wrongful termination lawyers focus on collecting three forms of evidence:Â
- Direct: finding direct evidence of the employer’s intentionsÂ
- Statistical: using data to show a pattern of wrongful termination practicesÂ
- Comparative: showing others in a similar situation were treated differentlyÂ
The type of evidence collected will depend on the reason behind your termination. For example, the steps behind building a case related to whistleblower retaliation might look very different from one that involves termination over a construction accident.Â
The time frame for a wrongful termination case can vary; it often depends on the type of evidence available. Cases with direct evidence often go faster than ones in which an attorney must collect statistical evidence showing a pattern of wrongdoing on the company’s part.
What compensation can I gain for wrongful termination?
Wrongful termination can bring lasting consequences for an employee. Depending on the stated reasons for termination, an employee may have difficulty securing a new job. They could find themselves without references or employment prospects. They risk the loss of benefits and financial security.Â
Typically, the goal of a wrongful termination case is to seek damages for the wrongdoing. Your attorney can build a case to receive compensation for lost wages and benefits or even have your employment restored.Â
In some cases, you might collect additional damages. One example is punitive damages after a company flagrantly violates the California Fair Employment and Housing Act or other public policies.
How long do I have to take action over wrongful termination in Sacramento?
In California, the time limit for taking legal action over wrongful termination is a complex matter.Â
For termination that happened as a breach of written contract, the statute of limitations is four years. For a breach of oral contract, the limit is two years. When your employer is a government agency, you only have six months to a year.Â
When termination is a matter of violating public policy, the time limits vary according to which laws or policies the employer broke. Generally, the window of time is two to three years.Â
If you hope to gain compensation for being wrongfully terminated, waiting is a mistake. This is a complex legal proceeding, and your wrongful termination attorney will need to begin building your case as quickly as possible.
Cutter Law Helps Clients Fight Back
Wrongful termination is illegal. Being fired for unlawful reasons can be confusing, emotional, and stressful. The good news is that an experienced wrongful termination lawyer can build a case against your former employer.Â
Cutter Law, a California law firm, has garnered national recognition for defending clients who were wronged by the actions of individuals, corporations, and employers.Â
Our experienced team of Sacramento wrongful termination lawyers holds decades of experience and a long track record of success.Â
Cutter Law has achieved million-dollar settlements in multiple whistleblower cases involving employer retaliation against employees.Â
Compelling client testimonials and a record of over $100 million recovered demonstrate that we excel at restoring justice to our clients. The legal team at Cutter Law knows what it takes to craft a compelling argument against an employer in a wrongful termination case.Â
If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated by an employer in Sacramento, you have options. Contact Cutter Law to discuss how to take legal action against your wrongful termination.
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Our Office Location
401 Watt Avenue Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-290-9400
