Pasadena Employment Lawyer
Whenever an employee is forced to work in an environment that borders between the lines of lawful and unlawful, they can feel as if they do not have any legal recourse. However, every employee in the Pasadena area is encouraged to file an employment case with a trusted and skilled attorney if they feel they have been treated improperly at work.
Lawyers for Justice, PC is a law firm that specializes in employment law and they are ready to take on any employment law case. Founded in 2008, the legal team at LFJ represents workers who had their rights abused by their negligent and reckless employers. Backed by a compassionate and skilled team of attorneys, the firm fights to hold those responsible accountable for their actions, no matter who they might be.
To get started on a claim, call today for a FREE consultation at (818) 647-9323 or fill out the online contact form.
Defining Employment Law
Employment law is the section of the law that encompasses all employment practices and relationships between employers and employees.This field of the law covers a broad range of topics and issues from worker’s rights, to workplace safety, to even workplace harassment and discrimination.
Due to the nature of employment law, every case is different and if an employee ever wishes to file a claim, it is highly recommended to consult with a skilled employment attorney to ensure that they can get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Types of Employment Cases LFJ Handles in Pasadena
Lawyers for Justice, PC (LFJ) handles a broad range of employment cases, from the simple to the complex. Whether employees are a victim of sexual harassment or a workplace injury, it is imperative to seek legal representation if the issue cannot be resolved internally or if their employer recklessly mishandled a situation.
If an employee’s rights have been violated, they may be eligible to recover compensation for. In fact, some of the most common types of employment cases LFJ handles include:
Catastrophic Personal Injuries
A catastrophic personal injury is defined as a severe life-altering injury that impacts an employee’s physical/cognitive capability. Injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, burns, and even organ damage can be life altering, depending on the nature and cause of the incident. Should an employee suffer such an injury, it is highly recommended to consult with an attorney because the associated medical costs for catastrophic injuries are costly.
Consumer Rights
Consumer rights cases are legal actions that address any violation where unfair trade practices and unscrupulous business has been conducted. Some of the most common instances of consumer rights cases include claims such as fraud, scams, and even false advertising.
Due to the range of products that can be sold with malicious and unethical intent, large purchases such as cars, houses, and even rent can all fall under this category. If there is any suspicion that a sold product has violated any trade practices, it is important to act fast to recover any financial losses.
Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination is defined as the unfair treatment of employees in the workplace due to their characteristics, or way of life. Employers may discriminate against their employees based on certain characteristics such as age, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Due to the nature of discrimination cases, it can come in different forms and tasks.
For example: purposely and consistently giving an employee the least desirable tasks, or making derogatory comments about the employee. Whether it was unintentional or not, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act provides employees protection from any discrimination in their place of work.
Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment is defined as a workplace where employees feel uncomfortable, harassed, and/or intimidated. The hostility employees face can be due to a variety of reasons such as discrimination or even abuse. As such, any employee who has been a victim of any physical or verbal harassment, that is severe enough to create an intimidating workplace, can file a claim against their employer.
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 take on many different forms and can happen to anybody regardless of age, gender, and status. It is also one of the most common employment lawsuits to occur in the field. Despite federal laws that prohibit and deter such behavior like the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, sexual harassment is still an ongoing issue in the country.
Wage and Hour Violations
Wage and hour violation claims occur when an employer negligently or recklessly underpays their employees. This can come in a variety of forms such as purposefully paying employees below the mandated minimum wage, forcing employees to purchase supplies and other company expenses out of their own pocket without reimbursement, or even not properly paying an employee for any overtime.
Workplace Injury
A workplace injury is defined as an injury that is sustained in the workplace, or from performing job-related duties.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the range of injuries can vary from anything minor, like cuts and bruises, to more severe medical conditions like brain injuries and spinal cord damage. If an employee has been injured while on the job and has not received the proper medical care from their employer, they can file a claim to recover compensation for their injuries and potentially even for their employer’s negligence/recklessness.
Workplace Retaliation
The US Department of Labor defines workplace retaliation as when an employer fires an employee or unjustly punishes them for engaging in a protected activity. Some of the most common examples include: employees complaining about discriminatory workplace culture, whistleblowing, and advocating about workplace violations that should be protected and enforced. In addition, retaliation can come in many different forms and should employees feel they are being targeted for their actions, it is recommended to consult with an experienced employment attorney.
Wrongful Termination
A wrongful termination is when an employer fires an employee for an unjust reason that is not legally permissible. For example, an employer firing an employee due to their protected characteristics, or as retaliation for reporting their negligent actions to a federal administration.
However, these claims can be difficult to prove due to California’s ‘at-will’ employment status that allows employers to terminate an employee for any reason as long as it is not unlawful.
What Laws Protect Pasadena Employees?
In the Pasadena area, every employee is protected by a series of state and federal laws that prevent any unethical workplace practices or incidents from occurring. Should a workplace incident occur, there are a number of laws and regulations that protect workers’ rights. Some of them might overlap and add extra benefits.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)– Protects workers over 40 from discrimination
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)– Protects against disability discrimination
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)– Prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment
- California Labor Code Section 2802– Requires employers to reimburse employees for necessary expenses
- California Minimum Wage Laws– Sets minimum wage requirements that may exceed federal standards
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)– Sets standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)– Entitles eligible employees to unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons
- National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)– Protects the rights of employees to organize and collectively bargain
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)– Ensures safe and healthful working conditions
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act– Prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin
- Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act– Requires employers to provide notice in cases of mass layoffs
How Much Does A Pasadena Employment Lawyer Cost?
Typically, employment lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not charge or collect any legal fees from their clients unless they either win or receive a settlement. If either scenario occurs, then a Pasadena employment lawyer can charge their clients a percentage of the settlement for their services.
What Should I Do If I Have Experienced Workplace Injustice?
Whether the incident resulted in physical, emotional, or financial damage, one of the first things employees should do is document the incident in as much detail as possible. This can include photos, videos, emails, witness statements, official reports, and even a detailed journal of events of the incident(s) in question.
Once enough evidence is gathered, it is recommended to see if the issue can be resolved internally. If not, then it is recommended to consult with an experienced Pasadena employment lawyer who can give more insight regarding the case. If there is enough to file a valid employment law claim, then the employee can recover damages for the incident.
Recoverable Damages In Employment Cases
In Pasadena employment cases, employees can recover a mix of economic and non-economic damages should they win their case. While the nature of damages will be dependent on what kind of compensation they can receive, it is recommended to have an expectation of what can be realistically recovered.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are defined as calculable costs that have accrued as a result of the incident. They are designed to compensate victims for any financial loss or hardship as a result of the incident that occured. For example, lost wages, lost benefits, and back pay are all things that can be awarded.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective costs and the value varies on a case-by-case basis. These types of damages are designed to compensate victims for any emotional damages they have experienced. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all subjective damages that can be awarded in an employment case.
Lawyers for Justice, PC Is Here to Help
If a worker is looking for a skilled employment attorney in Pasadena, Lawyers for Justice, PC can help fight for workplace rights. The firm’s proven track record and expertise gives every client a chance to be heard and compensated for any injustice they have experienced from their employer.
Whether it is a sexual harassment case from a small local business, or a workplace discrimination suit from a Fortune 500 company, Lawyers for Justice, PC can can help.To get started on a claim, call today for a FREE consultation at (818) 647-9323 or fill out the online contact form.