Workplace Retaliation Lawyer in Los Angeles

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workplace retaliation can occur when an employer fires or unjustly punishes an employee for engaging in a protected activity, such as advocating for their rights, complaining about discriminatory workplace culture, whistleblowing, taking medical leave, or reporting workplace violations.

Retaliation can occur in many ways. Some of the most common examples of workplace retaliation include termination, demotion, transferring an employee to a less desirable position, reducing their hours, engaging in verbal or physical abuse, giving an unwarranted low performance evaluation, unjustly reprimanding an employee, and even making personal threats to the authorities.

To prove workplace retaliation in Los Angeles or throughout the country, an employee must demonstrate that they engaged in a protected activity and then faced an unjustifiable action from their employer as a direct result of the protected activity. Gathering and preserving evidence is crucial to building a strong case. This evidence may include:

• Performance reviews before and after the protected activity
• Emails
• Witness testimony
• Written threats
• Video footage and any documentation of retaliatory behavior or complaints

Maintaining a detailed record of incidents or communication that establishes a clear correlation between the protected activity and the employer’s retaliatory actions is vital for substantiating the claim. Consult with a Los Angeles workplace retaliation lawyer for advice about the type of proof needed.

The first step is to start documenting changes in the treatment received. Keep a running record of dates, times, and details of any suspicious actions, and save emails or texts that reflect shifts in assignments, performance reviews, or workplace treatment.

Next, report the issue internally if it feels safe to do so, whether to HR or a supervisor. Creating a paper trail can strengthen the legal case if the retaliation escalates.

Finally, consult a Los Angeles workplace retaliation lawyer as early as possible. An attorney can explain the available legal protections, help preserve the claim, and advise on the best next steps before the situation worsens.

Depending on the severity of the case, employees may be entitled to a combination of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages in a workplace retaliation lawsuit.

Recoverable damages may include lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, and reinstatement to their position. In cases involving egregious conduct, negligence, or recklessness, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the employer, set legal precedent, and deter similar behavior in the future.

To understand the specific damages an employee may recover, consult an experienced workplace retaliation attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible.

Many workplace retaliation lawyers in Los Angeles, like the accomplished team at Lawyers for Justice, P.C., work on a contingency basis, with no upfront cost to the client at all. The attorney builds the case, negotiates with the employer, and may even take them to court without charging the client. The attorney is then paid only from a portion of the compensation won, which only happens if they win the case.