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Losing your job unexpectedly can be overwhelming-especially when the decision was unfair, retaliatory, or motivated by illegal factors. In California, wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in violation of employment law, a contract, or established public policy. At Matern Law Group, our experienced wrongful termination attorneys in El Segundo help workers seek justice when they are wrongfully discharged and deserve answers.
Although California is an “at-will” state, employers cannot fire employees for discriminatory motives, for exercising a legal right, or for reporting unlawful workplace practices. If you were dismissed after raising concerns, filing a complaint, or taking protected leave, you may have a valid claim that an experienced wrongful termination lawyer can evaluate.
Wrongful termination can arise in several ways, including:
A skilled wrongful termination lawyer can assess the facts of your situation and explain how California labor rules apply. If your employer’s stated justification does not match the evidence, you may have grounds for a strong claim.
Having the right legal team is essential when you’ve been unlawfully fired. Our El Segundo attorneys thoroughly review employment records, disciplinary documents, internal communications, and company procedures to uncover the true reasons behind your firing.
Whether you were targeted for whistleblowing, punished after requesting medical leave, or terminated after making a discrimination complaint, our termination attorneys know how to build a compelling case. We have decades of combined experience handling complex litigation involving wrongful discharge and other violations affecting California workers.
Under California employment law, employers cannot terminate workers based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Similarly, retaliation for reporting harassment, wage theft, unsafe conditions, or other unlawful acts is prohibited.
If your firing occurred shortly after reporting workplace misconduct, requesting accommodations, or participating in an investigation, a termination lawyer can help determine whether retaliation played a role. Our team works to recover lost wages, lost benefits, and emotional-distress damages while ensuring you are treated with dignity throughout the process.
Certain employment contracts limit an employer’s ability to terminate workers. When a contract states that termination can occur only for “good cause” or requires specific procedural steps, employers must follow those terms.
If your employer ignored contractual obligations, failed to give required notice, or skipped disciplinary steps, this may constitute wrongful termination. Our attorneys will analyze your agreement carefully and compare it with your employer’s actions. When contract violations are uncovered, our team pursues compensation and, when appropriate, reinstatement.
Some employers don’t fire workers directly-they create conditions so unbearable that employees feel forced to quit. This is known as constructive discharge, and it is treated legally as a form of wrongful termination.
Examples include ongoing harassment, unreasonable discipline, severe schedule changes, exclusion from meetings, or sudden demotions. If you resigned because your work environment became intolerable, a wrongful termination lawyer can determine whether your resignation qualifies as a constructive discharge claim.
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“Quiet firing” occurs when employers subtly push workers out by, among other things, reducing hours, denying resources, or neglecting complaints. These tactics may be used to avoid openly firing an employee, especially after they assert their workplace rights.
Unfair dismissal also includes situations where employers fabricate performance problems or use minor issues as excuses for termination. Our termination attorneys examine patterns of treatment, written records, and witness statements to expose these strategies. When employers use deceptive methods to remove a worker, litigation may be necessary to hold them accountable.
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California’s unfair dismissal laws are designed to protect employees from being terminated for unlawful reasons. The state operates under an “at-will” employment principle, meaning either the employer or employee can terminate employment at any time for any reason, as long as it’s not illegal.
However, exceptions exist where dismissals are considered unfair, such as terminations based on discrimination (e.g., race, gender, age), retaliation (e.g., for whistleblowing or exercising labor rights), violation of public policy (e.g., firing an employee for refusing to commit an illegal act), or breach of an employment contract. These protections aim to ensure that employees are not unjustly fired and have recourse through legal channels if they believe their dismissal was wrongful.
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California’s wrongful termination by breach of contract laws protect employees who are dismissed in violation of the terms outlined in their employment contract. If an employee has a written, oral, or implied contract that provides specific job security or outlines conditions under which termination is permissible, and the employer terminates the employment outside those conditions, it may constitute wrongful termination.
This can include firing an employee without following the contractually required notice period or reason for termination. In such cases, the employee may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and sometimes punitive damages, depending on the breach’s nature and impact.
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California’s wrongful termination by discrimination laws prohibit employers from firing employees based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, or medical conditions, among others. These laws ensure that all employees are treated fairly and are not dismissed for reasons that are unrelated to their job performance or the business needs of the employer.
If an employee is terminated for any of these discriminatory reasons, they may have the right to file a claim against the employer for wrongful termination, seeking remedies that can include reinstatement, compensation for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress damages, and sometimes punitive damages.
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California’s wrongful termination due to retaliation laws safeguard employees from being fired as a form of punishment for engaging in legally protected activities. This includes reporting illegal activities or violations (whistleblowing), filing a complaint about workplace safety, harassment, discrimination, taking family or medical leave, or exercising any other rights protected under state or federal law.
If an employer terminates, demotes, or takes other adverse employment actions against an employee in retaliation for these protected activities, the employee may have grounds to file a wrongful termination claim. Remedies for such a claim can include job reinstatement, back pay, damages for emotional distress, and sometimes punitive damages.
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Every wrongful termination claim requires strategic preparation. At Matern Law Group, our attorneys review documents, interview witnesses, examine policy manuals, and reconstruct the timeline of events leading to your firing. We use our knowledge of California employment law to identify inconsistencies between your employer’s explanation and the actual facts.
Depending on your situation, we may pursue negotiation, administrative filings, or full litigation to achieve the best result. Whether the goal is reinstatement or financial recovery, your wrongful termination lawyer will guide you through every step.
When you are fired for illegal reasons, having a committed legal advocate matters. The employment attorneys at MLG provide precise, compassionate representation for workers throughout El Segundo and beyond. Our attorneys have succeeded in cases involving wrongful discharge, retaliation, discrimination, and constructive dismissal.
You do not have to navigate this alone. If you believe you were wrongfully dismissed, contact a termination attorney at our firm today for a confidential consultation. With a dedicated employment lawyer fighting for your rights, justice is within reach.
Our Practices are Guided by Integrity. We’ll protect what you deserve.
We work tirelessly and fight tenaciously to hold rights abusers accountable.
If you’ve experienced a distressing incident related to an issue like this, call us for a free case evaluation.
Legal cases can be lengthy, complicated, and confusing. We understand how difficult it is for an individual to navigate the California courts and legal system to redress violations faced at work. That’s why our experienced El Segundo wrongful termination retaliation lawyers will be your partners so you don’t have to take on the system all by yourself. We take the time to understand your predicament, do the legwork to investigate your employer, gather all the necessary information, and advocate for you tirelessly.
If you believe someone has violated your individual rights or the rights of a group of people in your community, we can help you find the right course of action. Our team of El Segundo wrongful termination retaliation lawyers will help you understand your rights and take action. At Matern Law Group, we believe in neighbors helping neighbors. Let us put our legal knowledge and experience to work on your behalf.
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