Losing your job unexpectedly can be devastating. For many employees, termination creates immediate financial pressure, emotional stress, and uncertainty about the future. When the termination was unlawful, the impact can feel even more overwhelming. Employees who are wrongfully terminated often face damage to their professional reputation, loss of income and benefits, emotional distress, and difficulty finding new employment.

At Gharibian Legal, we represent employees throughout California who have been unlawfully terminated, retaliated against, discriminated against, or forced out of their jobs. Our firm understands the serious consequences wrongful termination can have on your life, career, and family. We are committed to protecting workers’ rights and holding employers accountable when they violate California or federal employment laws.

Although California is an at-will employment state, employers cannot fire employees for unlawful reasons. Workers are protected under numerous state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, retaliation, harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and violations of public policy.

If you believe your employer terminated you illegally, speaking with a California wrongful termination attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.

Contact Gharibian Legal today for a confidential consultation with an experienced wrongful termination attorney.

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Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Attorney

Advocating for Employees Throughout Los Angeles and Southern California

Wrongful termination cases are especially common in highly competitive work environments like Los Angeles, where employees may fear retaliation for reporting misconduct or asserting their workplace rights. Unfortunately, many employers rely on the misconception that at-will employment allows them to terminate employees for any reason whatsoever. That is not true.

A Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney can help determine whether your firing violated California employment laws. In many cases, employers attempt to disguise unlawful motives by claiming performance issues, restructuring, attendance concerns, or policy violations. However, a closer investigation often reveals evidence of retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or unlawful conduct.

At Gharibian Legal, we help employees throughout Los Angeles understand their rights after being terminated. Whether you worked in healthcare, hospitality, construction, retail, technology, transportation, entertainment, professional services, or another industry, you may have legal protections under California labor and employment laws.

Our legal team thoroughly investigates wrongful termination claims, gathers evidence, reviews employment records, and works to pursue maximum compensation for employees who were unlawfully fired.

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What Is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires, lays off, or forces an employee to resign for a reason that violates state law, federal law, public policy, or an employment agreement.

California employers generally have the right to terminate employees at any time under at-will employment laws. However, they cannot terminate workers for illegal reasons.

An employer may be liable for wrongful termination if an employee was fired because of:

•⁠  ⁠Discrimination

•⁠  ⁠Retaliation

•⁠  ⁠Harassment complaints

•⁠  ⁠Whistleblower activity

•⁠  ⁠Protected medical or family leave

•⁠  ⁠Disability accommodations

•⁠  ⁠Wage and hour complaints

•⁠  ⁠Workers’ compensation claims

•⁠  ⁠Refusal to engage in illegal conduct

•⁠  ⁠Breach of employment contract

•⁠  ⁠Public policy violations

Wrongful termination can also occur when an employer creates intolerable working conditions that force an employee to resign. This is known as constructive termination or constructive discharge.

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California At-Will Employment and Its Exceptions

California follows the doctrine of at-will employment, meaning employers and employees may end the employment relationship at any time and for almost any lawful reason.

However, at-will employment does not allow employers to terminate workers unlawfully.

California law recognizes several important exceptions to at-will employment, including termination based on:

•⁠  ⁠Discrimination

•⁠  ⁠Retaliation

•⁠  ⁠Harassment complaints

•⁠  ⁠Whistleblower reporting

•⁠  ⁠Public policy violations

•⁠  ⁠Breach of contract

•⁠  ⁠Protected medical leave

•⁠  ⁠Disability accommodations

Even if an employee signed an at-will agreement, an employer may still be held accountable for unlawful termination practices.

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Common Examples of Wrongful Termination in California

Wrongful termination claims arise in many different workplace situations. Some cases involve obvious misconduct, while others require careful investigation to uncover the unlawful reasons behind the firing.

Discrimination-Based Wrongful Termination

California and federal laws prohibit employers from firing employees because of protected characteristics.

Protected characteristics include:

•⁠  ⁠Race

•⁠  ⁠Religion

•⁠  ⁠National origin

•⁠  ⁠Gender

•⁠  ⁠Gender identity

•⁠  ⁠Sexual orientation

•⁠  ⁠Pregnancy

•⁠  ⁠Age

•⁠  ⁠Disability

•⁠  ⁠Medical condition

•⁠  ⁠Marital status

•⁠  ⁠Military status

For example, terminating an employee because they became pregnant, developed a disability, or are over the age of 40 may violate state and federal discrimination laws.

Several federal laws protect employees from discriminatory termination, including:

•⁠  ⁠Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

•⁠  ⁠Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

•⁠  ⁠Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

•⁠  ⁠Equal Pay Act

•⁠  ⁠Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

California employment laws often provide broader protections than federal law.

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Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims

Retaliation is one of the most common forms of wrongful termination.

Employers cannot punish employees for exercising their legal rights or reporting unlawful conduct. Protected activities may include:

•⁠  ⁠Reporting workplace harassment

•⁠  ⁠Filing discrimination complaints

•⁠  ⁠Reporting wage theft or unpaid overtime

•⁠  ⁠Reporting safety violations

•⁠  ⁠Filing workers’ compensation claims

•⁠  ⁠Participating in workplace investigations

•⁠  ⁠Taking protected medical leave

•⁠  ⁠Reporting illegal business practices

For example, if an employee files a complaint about harassment or unpaid wages and is terminated shortly afterward, the employer may be liable for retaliation.

California whistleblower laws also protect employees who report unlawful conduct, fraud, or safety concerns.

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Pregnancy and Medical Leave Violations

Employees are protected when taking legally protected medical or family leave.

Employers cannot terminate workers because they:

•⁠  ⁠Took maternity leave

•⁠  ⁠Requested family leave

•⁠  ⁠Needed disability accommodations

•⁠  ⁠Took protected medical leave

•⁠  ⁠Cared for a family member with a serious health condition

For example, firing an employee for taking approved leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA) may constitute wrongful termination.

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Wage and Hour Retaliation

Employees who assert their wage rights are protected under California labor laws.

Employers cannot fire workers for:

•⁠  ⁠Reporting unpaid wages

•⁠  ⁠Requesting overtime compensation

•⁠  ⁠Reporting meal or rest break violations

•⁠  ⁠Discussing wages with coworkers

•⁠  ⁠Filing labor complaints

Retaliatory termination following wage disputes is unlawful.

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Refusal to Participate in Illegal Conduct

An employer cannot terminate an employee for refusing to violate the law.

Examples may include refusing to:

•⁠  ⁠Falsify records

•⁠  ⁠Commit fraud

•⁠  ⁠Hide safety violations

•⁠  ⁠Engage in unlawful financial practices

•⁠  ⁠Discriminate against coworkers or customers

Employees who refuse illegal directives are protected under California public policy laws.

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Proving Workplace Wrongful Termination

How Employees Can Establish a Wrongful Termination Claim

One of the most important aspects of any wrongful termination case is proving that the employer acted unlawfully. Employers rarely admit that they fired an employee for illegal reasons. Instead, they often attempt to justify the termination by citing performance concerns, restructuring, misconduct, or attendance issues.

An experienced California wrongful termination attorney can help gather evidence and identify inconsistencies that may support your claim.

Evidence Commonly Used to Prove Wrongful Termination

Important evidence may include:

•⁠  ⁠Emails and text messages

•⁠  ⁠Performance evaluations

•⁠  ⁠Disciplinary records

•⁠  ⁠Witness statements

•⁠  ⁠Internal complaints

•⁠  ⁠Human resources reports

•⁠  ⁠Employment contracts

•⁠  ⁠Employee handbooks

•⁠  ⁠Pay records

•⁠  ⁠Termination notices

In many cases, timing plays a critical role. For example, if an employee is terminated shortly after reporting harassment, filing a complaint, or requesting medical leave, the timing itself may support evidence of retaliation.

Signs of Potential Wrongful Termination

Some common warning signs include:

•⁠  ⁠Sudden negative performance reviews after complaints

•⁠  ⁠Different treatment compared to coworkers

•⁠  ⁠Termination after reporting misconduct

•⁠  ⁠Hostile treatment following protected activity

•⁠  ⁠Inconsistent explanations for termination

•⁠  ⁠Lack of documentation supporting the firing

•⁠  ⁠Harassment or retaliation before termination

Because proving workplace wrongful termination can be complex, early legal intervention is often critical.

At Gharibian Legal, we thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding your termination, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and evaluate whether your employer violated California employment laws.

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Constructive Termination

Not all wrongful termination claims involve a direct firing.

Constructive termination occurs when an employer creates intolerable working conditions that force an employee to resign. In these situations, the work environment becomes so hostile or abusive that a reasonable person would feel they have no choice but to quit.

Examples of constructive termination may include:

•⁠  ⁠Severe workplace harassment

•⁠  ⁠Ongoing discrimination

•⁠  ⁠Retaliation

•⁠  ⁠Unsafe working conditions

•⁠  ⁠Extreme reductions in pay

•⁠  ⁠Unreasonable workloads

•⁠  ⁠Repeated intimidation or humiliation

Constructive termination cases often require substantial evidence demonstrating a pattern of misconduct by the employer.

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What To Do After Being Wrongfully Terminated

If you believe you were unlawfully terminated, taking immediate action can help protect your legal rights.

Important Steps To Take

Preserve Evidence

Save all employment-related documents, including:

•⁠  ⁠Emails

•⁠  ⁠Text messages

•⁠  ⁠Pay stubs

•⁠  ⁠Performance reviews

•⁠  ⁠Written complaints

•⁠  ⁠Severance agreements

•⁠  ⁠Employee handbooks

Document Workplace Events

Keep detailed records of conversations, incidents, dates, witnesses, and discriminatory or retaliatory conduct.

Avoid Signing Agreements Without Legal Advice

Severance agreements may contain waivers of important legal rights. Speak with an employment attorney before signing any documents.

File Administrative Complaints if Necessary

Certain claims may require filing with agencies such as:

•⁠  ⁠California Civil Rights Department (CRD)

•⁠  ⁠Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Strict deadlines may apply.

Contact a Wrongful Termination Attorney

The sooner you speak with legal counsel, the sooner your attorney can begin preserving evidence and protecting your rights.

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Compensation in Wrongful Termination Cases

Employees who prevail in wrongful termination claims may recover compensation for their losses.

Potential damages may include:

•⁠  ⁠Lost wages

•⁠  ⁠Future lost income

•⁠  ⁠Lost employment benefits

•⁠  ⁠Emotional distress damages

•⁠  ⁠Punitive damages

•⁠  ⁠Attorney’s fees and costs

The amount of compensation available depends on the facts of the case and the extent of the damages suffered.

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Why Choose Gharibian Legal

At Gharibian Legal, we understand how devastating wrongful termination can be. Our firm is committed to protecting California employees from unlawful employment practices and helping workers pursue justice against employers who violate the law.

We provide:

•⁠  ⁠Thorough case evaluations

•⁠  ⁠Strategic legal guidance

•⁠  ⁠Aggressive representation

•⁠  ⁠Clear communication

•⁠  ⁠Personalized attention

Every wrongful termination case is unique, and we work closely with our clients to build strong, evidence-based claims.

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Speak With a California Wrongful Termination Attorney Today

If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, retaliated against, or forced out of your job, you may have important legal rights under California law.

Gharibian Legal represents employees throughout Los Angeles and across California in wrongful termination and employment law matters. Our firm is prepared to investigate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Gharibian Legal today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney.