Los Angeles Retaliation Lawyer

Experienced Retaliation Attorney In Los Angeles, CA

Imagine that your employer is treating you unfairly based on your race, gender, or another characteristic. You report the discrimination through the proper channels, and then your employer fires you. Unfortunately, this is a reality for some Californians. If you are in the Los Angeles area and have experienced retaliatory behavior from your employer, reach out to a Los Angeles retaliation lawyer for help.

About Esperanza Anderson – Your Employee Rights Lawyer

When you experience workplace retaliation, you need an experienced lawyer on your side to assert your rights. Esperanza Anderson is a seasoned advocate for employees in Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles County, with over 15 years of experience in representing people just like you. She is fluent in English and Spanish, so whichever language you speak, she is equipped to help you.

At many other law firms, clients only communicate with their attorney through an assistant. When you hire Esperanza Anderson, you communicate with her directly. She is often underestimated by opposing counsel because of her warm demeanor, but kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. She defends her clients aggressively from the very beginning of every case, and she can advocate for you all the way to the courtroom if necessary.

What Is Retaliation?

In California, employees have the right to push back against discriminatory behavior from their employers. Sometimes, rather than addressing the problematic practices, employers choose to punish the reporting employee instead. This constitutes retaliation. For example, if a female employee files a complaint against her employer because they pay a man more than her for doing the same job, and the employer proceeds to fire her, that most likely constitutes retaliation.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides data on the number of workplace discrimination and retaliation cases it receives from each state. In the 2024 fiscal year, the commission received 2,592 retaliation complaints from California, making retaliation the most common complaint from our state.

Retaliation Laws in California

Sometimes, relationships between employers and employees can seem like there is an inherent power imbalance, with the employer holding more leverage than the employee. In California, extensive legal protections for employees are put in place to mitigate this power imbalance.

One of the most important pieces of legislation protecting employee rights is the Fair Employment and Housing Act, or FEHA. This law, which was enacted in 1959, defines and prohibits workplace discrimination based on certain characteristics of employees. These characteristics are called protected classes. There are many listed in the legislation, but the following are a few examples:

• Gender and gender expression
• Age
• Race
• Religion
• Marital status

When an employer exhibits discriminatory behavior against job candidates or employees based on one of the protected classes listed in FEHA, that constitutes an illegal action. Employees can file a complaint against the employer with a regulatory agency. Usually, the agency in question is the California Civil Rights Department.

It is reasonable for employees to be worried about backlash for reporting on their employers. Therefore, to protect employees and encourage people who see discrimination to report it, FEHA also includes a clause that prohibits retaliation. California employers are not legally allowed to fire, demote, or otherwise adversely affect an employee because they filed a complaint.

When to Hire a Retaliation Lawyer

If your employer retaliated against you for filing a complaint about discrimination, you may feel frustrated, angry, or hopeless. However, you do not have to give up your power. When you need to push back against retaliation, the first thing to do is hire a retaliation lawyer. Your Los Angeles retaliation attorney can discuss your case with you. Then, they can determine your legal position and next steps.

If you are still employed, it is a good idea to report the retaliatory behavior to your human resources department, even if you do not think they will take any effective action. Your attorney may advise you to go ahead and file another complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. If they determine that you have likely experienced retaliation, your lawyer may advise you to file a civil claim against your employer to recover your financial losses.

FAQs

What If My Employer Fired Me for Testifying Against Them?

If your employer fired you for providing a statement supporting another employee’s claim, or for providing testimony in another discrimination case against them, this still constitutes retaliation. The Fair Employment and Housing Act specifically extends retaliation protections to people who assist with an investigation or a case that they did not personally file.

Is My Retaliation Claim Likely to End Up in Court?

No, your retaliation claim is not likely to end up in court. While it is possible for a retaliation case to end in a trial, this outcome is relatively rare. The majority of cases are handled by the California Civil Rights Department. If your case does go to trial, it will be handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

How Much Does a Retaliation Lawyer Cost in Los Angeles?

The cost to hire an attorney can vary widely from person to person and case to case. Lawyers usually set their own rates and fee structures, and more complex cases generally take more of an attorney’s time. Most lawyers who handle discrimination cases work on a contingency basis. That means that clients do not pay a fee up front. Instead, the lawyer receives a percentage of any settlement they secure.

What If I Was Fired, but My Employer Says It Was for Underperformance?

If you were fired after filing a discrimination claim against your employer, or helping with someone else’s, you have good reason to believe that the termination was a retaliatory action. It is not uncommon for an employer to fire someone in retaliation and then try to claim other reasons for the termination. Unless they have documentation of your underperformance and disciplinary actions, that reasoning is unlikely to hold up.

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Get Representation – Contact Esperanza Anderson

In modern working environments, it is easy for employees to feel like they have no power, but you do not have to accept mistreatment from your employer. If you have been retaliated against for filing a complaint, you can pursue justice. Contact Esperanza Anderson today for a free consultation about your needs.