Long Beach Employment Lawyer

Employment law is designed to protect workers from unfair treatment, discrimination, and unlawful workplace practices. Unlawful practices such as sexual harassment, wage theft, and wrongful termination are unfortunately some of the most common injustices that happens in Long Beach and it can severely impact a person’s ability to earn a living wage and maintain their way of life. If any California worker ever experiences improper treatment at work, they should consult with an employment lawyer.

Lawyers for Justice, PC is a top-rated employment law firm that represents workers who have been mistreated by their employers. With years of experience representing clients from all walks of life, the legal team at Lawyers for Justice, PC has a proven track record of holding negligent and reckless employers accountable for their actions. Whether the negligent employer is from a statewide business or a Fortune 500 company, the legal team at Lawyers for Justice, PC fights for what is right.

To speak to a representative for a free consultation, call (213) 772-5010 or fill out our quick and easy online contact form.

Types of Cases We Handle 

Lawyers for Justice, PC handles a variety of employment cases and fights for workers’ rights, no matter what kind of injustice they face. Whether an employee has suffered workplace discrimination or sexual harassment, the legal team at Lawyers for Justice, PC can secure justice and hold bully bosses responsible for their actions. Here are some of the most common types of employment cases the firm handles:

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is referred to as any unwanted behavior or conduct of a sexual nature. Due to the nature of sexual harassment, it can happen to anybody regardless of age, gender, and social/employment status. Despite the implementation of many federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to deter improper behavior, sexual harassment is still an ongoing issue. Should anyone experiences sexual harassment at work, it is recommended they take proactive steps before the situation escalates further.

Employment Discrimination

Employment discrimination is defined as the unfair treatment of employees in the workplace, due to their characteristics or way of life. Characteristics such as age, race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation are all improper reasons for discrimination in the workplace. Due to the nature of employment discrimination, unfair treatment can come in different forms, like constantly making derogatory comments and purposely not promoting them for a position that they are qualified to have.

Workplace Injury 

A workplace injury is when an employee has suffered an injury at their place of work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines the details of an injury, which can range from bruises to severe spinal cord damage. If an employee is injured while on the job and has not received proper medical care or treatment from their employer, they can file a claim to recover compensation for their medical expenses.

Wage Theft

Wage theft is when an employer negligently, or recklessly, underpays their employees. Some of the most common examples of wage theft could be:

• Purposely paying employees below the minimum wage
• Withholding payment for extended periods of time
• Not reimbursing employees for any out-of-pocket payments for company related expenses. 

Due to the nature of wage theft, it is more common than people believe. 

Wrongful Termination

A wrongful termination is when an employer fires an employee for an unjust reason that is not legally permissible. For example, if an employer fires an employee due to their race, they could be violating several anti-discrimination laws and be subject to fines and penalties.

However, it is important to note that wrongful termination claims require a significant amount of evidence due to California’s ‘at-will’ employment status that allows employees to be terminated at any time, for any reason. 

Consumer Rights

Consumer rights cases are legal actions that address any violation where unfair trade practices and unscrupulous business has been conducted. Consumers can file a claim to recover any financial losses, such as fraud and scams.

Catastrophic Personal Injury

A catastrophic personal injury is referred to as a severe life-altering injury that impacts an employee’s physical or cognitive capability. Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, burns, and even organ damage are all life altering injuries that can drastically affect a person’s quality of life. In fact, the associated medical expenses of a catastrophic personal injury can be very costly. Victims should file a personal injury claim as soon as possible to get the compensation they deserve.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment is defined as a workplace where employees feel uncomfortable, harassed, and/or intimidated. An employer or coworker can potentially create a hostile work environment and if it cannot be resolved internally, those affected should gather evidence and file a claim with an experienced lawyer. Depending on the severity of the work environment, it can easily escalate to a more severe situation. 

Workplace Retaliation

Workplace retaliation is when an employer terminates or unjustly punishes an employee for engaging in a protected activity. Some of the most common instances where an employer can be provoked to retaliate is when an employee complains about unlawful workplace practices, and when they whistle blow on the workplace violations to get their employer in trouble. As a result, the employer may resort to unlawful acts to punish their employee such as demotion, purposely excluding the employee, job reassignment, and even verbal or physical abuse. 

What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover?

For Long Beach employment cases, lost wages, medical expenses, and non-economic losses are the most common types of compensation workers can recover. The value of recoverable losses can vary on a case-by-case basis. Call a Long Beach employment attorney to get a better idea of how much your case is worth.

Lost Wages

Lost wages is the money (income) an employee would have earned if they had not experienced wrongful termination, wage theft, or suffered a severe workplace injury. Depending on the nature of the case, affected employees can recover other forms of income like bonuses, overtime, and even benefits. 

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are defined as calculable medical costs that accumulated due to an employee suffering an injury at work. Employees can file a claim against their employer if they were injured due to the employer’s negligence or recklessness. 

For example, if an employer failed to provide adequate training and equipment for their employees, and the employee became injured as a result, the employee can file a claim to recover compensation for their medical expenses. 

Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic losses are referred to as incalculable losses that have accumulated due to a workplace incident. Non-economic losses are designed to compensate victims for any emotional losses they experienced as a result. For example, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all instances of non-economic losses, and their designated value can vary on a case-by-case basis.  

Lawyers For Justice, PC Is Here To Help

If a worker is searching for an experienced employment lawyer to assist them with their claim, Lawyers for Justice, PC (LFJ) can help. 

Lawyers for Justice, PC is a law firm that specializes in employment law and their team of Long Beach employment attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for California workers.

LFJ has a proven track record of giving their clients what they deserve. Whether a worker is facing sexual harassment or wrongful termination, Lawyers for Justice, PC helps them fight for justice. 

To get started on a claim, call today for a FREE consultation at (213) 772-5010 or fill out the online contact form. 

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Claims

What is the Difference Between ‘At-Will’ Employment Vs. ‘Wrongful Termination’?

At-will employment is a legal doctrine that allows employers to terminate employees without cause, as long as the reason does not violate any federal or state discrimination laws. In contrast, wrongful termination is when an employee is terminated for an unjust reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or another protected reason.

What Actions are Considered Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual conduct or action. For example, physical actions such as groping, patting, brushing up against someone, and persistent leering can be considered sexual harassment. In addition, making sexual comments, sending inappropriate messages, and displaying inappropriate decorations is widely considered as sexual harassment, especially if it occurs in the workplace.    

Should I file an Employment Claim on My Own?

An employment claim can be filed without the assistance of a lawyer, but it is typically discouraged because there is a high likelihood that something might get mishandled or filed incorrectly. 

Incorrectly filing an employment claim can potentially ruin the chances of a worker trying to claim compensation for their losses and it is always recommended to consult with an experienced attorney to prevent such a scenario from occurring.  

Can My Employer Pay Me Less Than Minimum Wage?

There are absolutely no circumstances where an employer can compensate their employee below the minimum wage.

Any employer who does may face legal consequences and be required to compensate employees in accordance with the law.

Are Employment Lawyers Expensive?

The cost of hiring an employment lawyer will vary based on their experience, the types of service they offer, and what kind of case a worker brings to them. While legal costs vary, many lawyers offer free consultations, giving clients a chance to understand their case’s value and potential fees.