Reasons to Hire an Employment Lawyer in Los Angeles (2024)

Few things in life matter as much as your job. Your place of work is where you spend most of your weekly hours, and your job provides the financial stability to support yourself and your family. When someone jeopardizes your source of income, you should take that threat seriously by considering the reasons to hire an employment lawyer in Los Angeles.

Reasons to Hire an Employment Lawyer

The line between unethical and unlawful behavior is not always clear. If a co-worker makes one discriminatory or offensive comment, does that constitute a violation of the labor law? Even when there appears to be a violation, only an experienced employment lawyer can tell you whether you have grounds to file a complaint or take legal action.

Employment lawyers have a working knowledge of the law and years of experience practicing law. Certain things that appear unlawful may not be, while other workplace behaviors that you are used to seeing may, in fact, be unlawful. By consulting with an employment lawyer, you can gain a clear understanding of what is actually against the law.

While it may be tempting to go it alone when it comes to filing an administrative complaint, you may find that you feel uncomfortable returning to your place of work while the complaint process goes through. Without legal representation, you are less shielded from subtle or overt retaliation at work.

Once you hire an attorney, you are under legal representation. Your attorney will notify the relevant parties that you have an attorney of record. Anyone who wishes to treat you differently while the complaint or other legal action plays out will think twice. Your employment lawyer can act quickly to stop the types of behavior that drove you to seek legal services in the first place. Often, this can help clean up a toxic workplace environment.

Common Labor Law Violations

The most common types of workplace labor law violations are harassment, wage violations, and discrimination/wrongful termination. Workplace discrimination encompasses unfair treatment of employees based on protected characteristics. Several of these include:

• Pregnancy
• Medical Condition
• Race
• Gender
• Religion
• National Origin
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual Orientation

Anti-discrimination laws, overseen by the EEOC, target discrimination based on various protected characteristics. Employees experiencing discrimination may need legal support to understand their rights and gather evidence for their claims.

In Los Angeles, wrongful termination claims operate under at-will employment laws, allowing employers and employees to end the work relationship at any time. Terminations cannot be based on illegal or discriminatory reasons, though. Despite challenges in proving wrongful termination, employment attorneys can assist in revealing the truth behind such actions.

Wage an hour lawyers can ensure compliance with state laws regarding wages, overtime, and minimum wage requirements. Common disputes include misclassification of employees, minimum wage violations, overtime law violations, and pay stub inaccuracies.

How to Find the Right Employment Law Attorney in California

Employment law encompasses a broad and ever-changing landscape of regulations and statutes. Entrusting your case to an employment attorney without considering their specific practice areas or track record in advocating for clients could place you at a disadvantage.

When evaluating potential attorneys, inquire about their experience with cases similar to yours and the outcomes achieved for their clients. A reputable attorney should be able to listen attentively to the details of your case and provide insight into its strengths and potential weaknesses.

Rely on recommendations from friends and colleagues. If you are searching online, be sure to read reviews to see what past clients say about their experiences.

By researching and finding an attorney who demonstrates a deep understanding of the nuances of employment law and a history of successful representation, you can increase your confidence in navigating your legal challenges effectively.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

A: The fees charged by employment lawyers range in California. More experienced employment lawyers generally charge more for their services. Most attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, that is often based on a set percentage of any verdict or settlement.

Q: Damages In a Wrongful Termination in California?

A: There are many factors that can be included in a wrongful termination settlement. The lost wages due to the termination is an important figure that your lawyer can calculate. Future earnings that would have been earned can also be included.

A big factor is also emotional distress as a result of the wrongful termination.  This often includes depression, anxiety and other emotional effects.

Then, potential punitive damages can be also included for certain misconduct.

Q: What Percentage Do Lawyers Charge in California?

A: Many employment attorneys work on what is known as a contingency basis. This means that they are paid a set percentage of any settlement amount. The percentage is negotiated early on between the client and the attorney. The attorney may base the percentage on the estimated time that may be required to handle the case.

Q: Who Pays Legal Fees in California?

A: Ultimately, the at-fault party pays for legal fees in many cases. When your employment law attorney is able to negotiate a favorable settlement, a percentage of that amount may be used to pay for their legal services. The settlement comes from the at-fault party.

Schedule Your Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Consultation Today

Wage theft, workplace discrimination, and other labor law violations are serious unlawful acts that require the legal services of a labor law attorney. No worker should suffer financial hardship or emotional stress due to misconduct at work. You can protect your rights and livelihood by working with an experienced employment lawyer.

At Shirazi Law Firm, P.C., we work tirelessly to help our clients receive fair compensation after their labor law rights have been violated. By working with an experienced law firm, you can have peace of mind in knowing that your case is being handled by a passionate team of labor law professionals. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.