Garden Grove Wrongful Termination Attorney

If your employer fired you for an unlawful reason, you may have a wrongful termination claim. A Garden Grove employment lawyer at Aegis Law Firm can review your situation during a free and confidential consultation.

Contact us online or call (949) 379-6250 today.

Why Clients Trust Our Garden Grove Wrongful Termination Lawyer?

• We have an established record of handling complex employment disputes in California.

• We provide clear evaluations based on the facts, not unrealistic expectations or assumptions.

• Clients work with attorneys who remain engaged, accessible, and responsible for the progress of their case.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

California is an at-will employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for lawful reasons or no reason at all. However, termination becomes unlawful when it violates specific legal protections. For example, wrongful termination may occur if you were fired because of:

• A protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, disability, or religion.

• Reporting discrimination, harassment, or wage violations.

• Taking protected medical or family leave.

• Refusing to participate in unlawful conduct.

• Exercising your legal rights in the workplace.

Even when an employer provides a reason for termination, the surrounding facts and timing can indicate a wrongful termination.

Common Signs of Wrongful Termination

Certain patterns may suggest that a termination was against the law, including:

• Sudden discipline after years of positive performance.

• Termination shortly after filing a complaint or raising concerns.

• Inconsistent explanations for the termination decision.

• Different treatment compared to similarly situated employees.

• Pressure to resign instead of being formally terminated.

In some cases, employees are forced out due to intolerable conditions. This may qualify as constructive termination under California law.

California Laws That Protect Employees Against Wrongful Termination

Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

Government Code §12940(a) provides:

“It shall be an unlawful employment practice… because of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status… to discharge the person from employment.”

FEHA also prohibits retaliation. Government Code §12940(h) states:

“It shall be an unlawful employment practice… for any employer… to discharge… any person because the person has opposed any practices forbidden under this part.”

This means an employer cannot terminate you for reporting discrimination, harassment, or other unlawful conduct.

California Labor Code Protections

Several Labor Code provisions protect employees from termination tied to protected activity. Labor Code §1102.5(b) provides:

“An employer… shall not retaliate against an employee for disclosing information… if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of state or federal statute.”

Labor Code §98.6(a) states:

“A person shall not discharge an employee… because the employee… filed a bona fide complaint or claim.”

These laws protect employees who report legal violations, file wage claims, or assert workplace rights.

Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy

California also recognizes wrongful termination claims based on public policy, even without a specific statute. Termination may be unlawful if it occurs because an employee:

• Refused to engage in illegal conduct.

• Reported unlawful activity.

• Exercised a legal right or duty.

Courts recognize these claims to prevent employers from undermining fundamental legal protections.

Family and Medical Leave Protections

The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protect employees who take qualifying leave.

Employers cannot interfere with or retaliate against employees for taking protected leave.

How a Garden Grove Wrongful Termination Lawyer Can Help

After a termination, employees are often left with limited information about how the decision was made. Employers rely on internal records and decision-makers that are not easily accessible, making it difficult to evaluate the situation on your own.

An attorney examines what actually led to the termination, including performance history, internal complaints, and the timing of events. Details such as prior feedback, policy enforcement, and comparative treatment often provide important context. Legal support may include:

• Identifying whether the termination is tied to discrimination, retaliation, or protected activity.

• Reviewing records for inconsistencies or unsupported explanations.

• Comparing your treatment to other employees in similar roles.

• Handling required administrative filings and next steps.

This allows you to step back from the legal process while your attorney handles the details and next steps.

Contact a Garden Grove Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

Call (949) 379-6250 or message Aegis Law Firm online to schedule a free consultation.