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Los Angeles Employment Law Attorney

Employees in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California have certain rights that protect them against discrimination, harassment, and wage theft. Unfortunately, employers may ignore these rights or even directly mistreat employees. However, employees can take legal action against any misconduct or mistreatment they experience in the workplace with the help of an experienced Los Angeles employment law attorney.

If you are being mistreated on the job, look no further than Aegis Law Firm to hold your employer accountable. With nearly two decades of experience, our Los Angeles employment law lawyers have recovered more than $300 million in verdicts and settlements. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay us anything until we win your case.

Do not hesitate to call us at (949) 379-6250 or complete our online contact form today to schedule a free initial consultation!

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How Our Los Angeles Employment Law Firm Can Help You

Since 2003, our firm has exclusively handled employment law cases, representing only employees (plaintiffs). Our energy is entirely focused on the legal aspects of the employer-employee relationship. When you meet with our legal team, we can listen to your story and concerns, thoroughly examine your case, and determine all your legal options to obtain your entitled compensation and the justice you deserve.

If you are looking for passionate and experienced employment law attorneys in Los Angeles who will fight your case, even when others won’t, contact Aegis Law Firm.

What is Employment Law?

Employment law is an area of legal practice that covers the employer-employee relationship. It deals with the rights of employees and the rights and obligations of employees. Federal and state government laws set minimum standards as to workplace issues including, hiring, pay rate, work hours, breaks, leave, health and safety, discrimination, training, firing, harassment, and a wide range of other issues that workers encounter in the workplace. In the employer-employee relationship, the balance of power is usually tilted in favor of the employer. This is why an employee may need the assistance of an experienced employment law attorney to go against an employer who is trampling on their rights.

What is my Los Angeles Employment Claim Worth?

Since each employment claim is unique, only an attorney can give you an exact answer to how much your case is worth. However, when estimating your claim’s value, a lawyer will consider the following factors to arrive at a reasonable valuation.

Strength of Evidence

First, your lawyer will assess the strength of your case in terms of liability. They will review the evidence you have, such as documents, witness statements, emails, performance reviews, or any other relevant information. By analyzing the evidence, they can determine the likelihood of proving liability on the part of the employer or the responsible parties.

Damages

Another critical aspect is calculating the damages you have suffered as a result of the employment issue. This may include:

  • Economic Damages: Actual financial losses that are measurable.
  • Lost Wages: If you were wrongfully terminated or experienced a reduction in income due to discrimination or harassment, your lawyer will evaluate the impact on your earnings. They will consider your salary, bonuses, commissions, and other benefits that you would have received had the issue not occurred.
  • Benefits and Perks: Your lawyer will assess any lost benefits or perks, such as health insurance, retirement contributions, stock options, or company-provided accommodations, that you would have received had your employment been uninterrupted.
  • Future Income: In some cases, if your claim involves long-term effects on your career prospects or earning potential, your lawyer may factor in future income losses as well.
  • Non-Economic Damages: These losses are more subjective in nature and can be challenging to quantify. 
  • Emotional Distress: If you experienced significant emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or other psychological harm as a result of the employment issue, your lawyer will assess the impact on your well-being and quality of life.
  • Pain and Suffering: In cases involving severe harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct, your lawyer will consider the pain and suffering you endured.
  • Punitive Damages: Punitive damages may come into play if the employer’s actions were particularly malicious, intentional, or displayed a wanton disregard for your rights. These damages aim to punish the employer and deter similar behavior in the future. Your lawyer will evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine if punitive damages might be applicable.

Precedents and Case Law

An experienced employment lawyer will analyze relevant precedents and case law to understand how courts have valued similar claims in the past. This research provides a basis for estimating the potential value of your claim.

Negotiation Strategy

Finally, your lawyer will develop a negotiation strategy based on their evaluation of your claim’s worth. They will consider the strengths and weaknesses of your case, potential outcomes in court, and the employer’s willingness to settle. The goal is to maximize your compensation while taking into account the potential risks and costs associated with litigation.

What Should I Do If I Have a Claim?

If you believe you have a valid employment claim, it is important to take swift action to protect your rights and seek resolution.

  • Start by documenting the incidents or violations. Write down entailed accounts of what happened and gather evidence that supports your claim (e.g., relevant emails, texts, witness statements)
  • Carefully review your employment contract and company policies to understand your rights. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your employment, including provisions related to termination, discrimination, harassment, or any other issues you are experiencing.
  • Speak to an experienced employment lawyer in Los Angeles who can evaluate the merits of your case and provide legal guidance. They can also help you navigate the claims process.
  • Consider filing internal complaints or government agency claims if applicable.
  • Explore mediation or settlement options to resolve the dispute amicably.

If your claim is not resolved to your satisfaction, consider pursuing litigation with the assistance of your Los Angeles employment law lawyer.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing an employment claim can vary depending on the nature of the claim. Here are the general timeframes for some common employment claims:

Wage and Hour Violations, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Claims

For claims involving wage and hour violations, workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, you generally have up to three years from the date of the alleged incident to file a claim with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). However, if you wish to file a claim directly in court, the deadline is extended an additional year from the date of receiving a right-to-sue notice from the DFEH.

Wrongful Termination

If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, you generally have up to two years from the date of termination to file a claim with the DLSE or in court. However, the deadline may be extended if your claim is based on a violation of public policy or certain types of discrimination.

It’s important to note that these timeframes are general guidelines, and there may be exceptions or specific circumstances that could alter the deadlines. An employment lawyer can help determine the applicable statute of limitations.

Am I Eligible to File a Claim?

In California, all employees have the right to file an employment claim if they believe their rights have been violated by their employer. Here are some general guidelines to help you assess whether you may have a potential employment law case:

Identify Potential Violations

Review your employment situation and consider whether any potential violations of employment laws have occurred.

Gather Evidence

Compile any evidence that supports your claims. This may include documents, emails, text messages, performance evaluations, witness statements, or any other relevant information that substantiates your allegations. Strong evidence can significantly strengthen your case.

Consult an Employment Lawyer

Seeking advice from an experienced employment lawyer is essential to determine the viability of your case. They will evaluate the specific details of your situation, assess the potential legal violations, and provide personalized guidance based on their expertise in employment law. In addition, they can analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and advise you on the best course of action.

Statute of Limitations

As long as the statute of limitations has not expired, you have the right to file a claim.

Laws the Protect Los Angeles Workers

There are federal and state laws that protect workers in Los Angeles and across California. While federal laws set the standard across the United States, state laws exist alongside federal laws, to meet the particular needs of the states. California has one of the most worker-friendly laws in the United States, with Oxfam America listing it in the top five states to work in America. The following are some of the laws that protect workers in Los Angeles:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
  • California Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (Cal-WARN)
  • California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement Regulations

Types of Employment Law Cases Aegis Law Firm Handles

Employment law generally can be complex because in every case, several federal and state violations may be involved. Being able to identify the employment law issues in a case and the applicable laws can be challenging unless you have an experienced employment law attorney by your side. At Aegis Law Firm, we have the experience to represent clients in all kinds of employment law matters including:

Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination cases occur when an employee is terminated for unlawful reasons or forced to quit because of a hostile work environment in violation of the law. Wrongful termination may also occur as a result of a breach of an employment agreement.

Sexual Harassment and Abuse

Sexual harassment and abuse cases take different forms and may involve conduct such as verbal abuse, inappropriate touching, sexual jokes or comments, against a person based on their sex or sexual orientation. A worker may have a sexual harassment and abuse claim if the conduct was directed at them or if they witnessed the conduct.

Wage and Hours Violations

Wage and hours violations include failure to pay the legal minimum wage, failure to pay required overtime, failure to provide breaks, and misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

Employment Discrimination

Federal and California state laws prohibit employment discrimination against protected workers on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, pregnancy, religion, marital status, and sexual orientation. Violations of the law include actions during the hiring process, and adverse actions during employment including, termination of employment, denial of promotions, denial of access to training opportunities for advancement, unequal wages or fringe benefits, and failure to make accommodations for certain protected employees.

Expense Reimbursement

Employees are entitled to expense reimbursements as provided by law, and as agreed in their employment contracts. When an employer fails to reimburse expenses, an employee may be entitled to legal action to claim the reimbursement due in addition to interest and legal costs.

Whistleblower Retaliation

The term whistleblower refers to anyone who has take legal action against their employer or notified the authorities about misconduct or fraud at their place of work. However, whistleblowers are often retaliated against for speaking up. Fortunately, there are many protections in place for whistleblowers at both the state and Federal levels.

Passionate and Excellent Representation in Los Angeles

Every employment law case is unique and requires a different approach. Our Los Angeles employment law attorneys at Aegis Law Firm approach each case with passion. We understand how intimidating it can be to take legal action against your employer, which is why we passionately fight for you and find the best solution to resolve your case. Retaliation for previous legal action is also a violation of your rights. If you have been treated unfairly at work or suffered adverse action because you have tried to enforce your rights, we can help you. Our team will treat you with the utmost respect while representing you.

Contact Los Angeles Employment Law Attorney for Free Consultation

If you believe that your workplace rights have been violated by your employer, or your employer has acted unlawfully, contact one of our Los Angeles employment attorneys for a free consultation. Call us today at (949) 379-6250 to schedule a free consultation and assessment of your case. We also have Spanish-speaking services available for our clients.