- Cohen & Marzban - / - Practice Areas - /practice-areas - Wrongful Termination lazy 6f19f952-d3e4-49e7-a74f-dcb64b070586 # Wrongful Termination Lawyer Los Angeles Losing your job for the wrong reason can upend your finances, your family, and your future. Hold your employer accountable. We've recovered over $2 billion for our clients. Let our team fight for you. Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Attorneys Today! ## Wrongful Termination Attorney Los Angeles: Standing Up to Unlawful Employers Being fired is stressful in the best of circumstances. When that firing violates California law, the harm runs even deeper, touching your income, your health insurance, your reputation, and your sense of security. The California Civil Rights Department [reports it receives roughly 33,000 complaints each year](https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2026/01/Civil-Rights-SLAA-Dec-2025-to-June-2027.pdf) from workers and residents alleging discrimination and other civil rights violations, a clear sign that unlawful terminations remain a serious problem across the state. At Cohen & Marzban, our experienced wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles help employees confront powerful corporations, well-funded HR departments, and aggressive defense firms. Backed by advanced knowledge of California labor and employment law, a record of more than $2 billion recovered, and decades of trial experience, our aggressive wrongful termination attorney team in Los Angeles works to recover lost wages, restore reputations, and secure the full compensation our clients deserve. ## What Counts as Wrongful Termination Under California Law California is an at-will employment state, but at-will does not mean "fired for any reason." State and federal laws protect workers from terminations rooted in discrimination, retaliation, and other prohibited conduct. Understanding which legal protections apply is the first step toward a strong claim, and our wrongful termination lawyer team in Los Angeles builds that analysis into every case. ## Common Signs Your Termination May Have Been Illegal Wrongful termination is rarely announced. Employers almost always cite a "legitimate" reason, even when the real motive is unlawful. Our wrongful termination attorneys in Los Angeles look for patterns that tell the true story: - **Suspicious timing.** You were fired shortly after reporting harassment, requesting medical leave, complaining about unpaid wages, or returning from disability leave. - **Sudden changes to your performance reviews.** Strong reviews for years, then a wave of negative write-ups right before termination. - **Inconsistent application of policies.** You were fired for conduct that other employees engaged in without consequence. - **Comments about a protected trait.** Remarks about your age, pregnancy, religion, accent, or disability before the firing. - **Pressure to resign.** Being pushed into "voluntary" resignation through hostile treatment, demotions, or impossible workloads, which can amount to constructive discharge. - **No clear or shifting reason.** The explanation for your termination keeps changing or does not match the documents in your personnel file. If any of these red flags sound familiar, contact our Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyers for a confidential review before you sign a severance agreement. ## Steps to Take After Being Wrongfully Terminated in Los Angeles The hours and days after a firing are critical. The actions you take now can preserve evidence, protect your claim, and strengthen your case. - **Do not sign a severance agreement on the spot.** These documents almost always include a release of claims. Have a Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney review it first. - **Request your personnel file in writing.** Under California Labor Code § 1198.5, you have the right to inspect and copy your file. - **Save everything.** Emails, text messages, performance reviews, write-ups, pay stubs, offer letters, and any notes about meetings or comments. - **Write down what happened while it is fresh.** Names, dates, witnesses, and the exact words used. - **Apply for unemployment benefits.** Filing a claim does not waive your wrongful termination rights. - **Avoid posting about the firing on social media.** Employers and their lawyers monitor public accounts. - **Contact Cohen & Marzban as soon as possible.** Strict deadlines apply, and evidence disappears quickly. ## How Our Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Los Angeles Build Your Case A strong wrongful termination case is built through careful, methodical work, long before anyone steps into a courtroom. Our wrongful termination attorney team in Los Angeles handles every part of that process, so injured employees can focus on the next chapter of their lives. ## Compensation You May Recover in a Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Case A successful wrongful termination claim can do far more than replace a paycheck. Our wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles pursue every category of damages available under California law, so our clients can rebuild on stable ground. ### Economic Damages These cover the financial losses you can document: - Lost wages and benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses, and stock options; - Lost future earnings if the firing has damaged your career path or earning capacity; - Job search expenses and the cost of retraining for a new role; - Out-of-pocket medical or therapy costs tied to the termination. ### Non-Economic Damages These compensate for harm that is real but harder to measure: - Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD; - Damage to professional reputation; - Loss of enjoyment of life; - Humiliation and mental anguish. ### Punitive Damages and Statutory Remedies In cases of intentional discrimination, malicious retaliation, or fraud, California allows punitive damages designed to punish the employer and deter similar conduct. FEHA also authorizes reinstatement, attorney's fees, and other statutory remedies that increase total recovery. ### Case Evaluation and Strategy We listen to your story, review your documents, and identify every potential claim under California and federal law. Then we map out the strongest legal theories and the smartest filing sequence. ### Investigation and Evidence Preservation We obtain personnel files, internal communications, HR investigation records, and policies. We interview coworkers, identify witnesses, and preserve electronic evidence before it can be deleted. ### Negotiation and Settlement Most wrongful termination cases settle. Our wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles know how employers value cases, where the pressure points are, and how to push for full compensation without leaving money on the table. ### Litigation and Trial When an employer refuses to make a fair offer, we are ready to litigate. Our trial-tested attorneys handle discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, motions, and jury trials in Los Angeles County Superior Court and federal court. ### Discrimination-Based Firings Under the California [Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)](https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/FairEmploymentAct), employers with five or more workers may not fire someone because of a protected characteristic. Protected categories include race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40 and over), disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status, and genetic information. Under [California Government Code § 12960](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=12960.), you have three years to file an administrative complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, then one year from the right-to-sue letter to file a lawsuit. ### Retaliation for Protected Activity Employers cannot legally fire workers for reporting harassment, requesting reasonable accommodations, taking family or medical leave, filing a workers' compensation claim, discussing wages with coworkers, or participating in workplace investigations. FEHA-based retaliation claims follow the same three-year administrative filing deadline as discrimination claims. ### Whistleblower Terminations California [Labor Code § 1102.5](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=1102.5.) protects employees who report suspected violations of law to a government agency, law enforcement, or a supervisor. Firing a worker for blowing the whistle on fraud, safety violations, wage theft, or other illegal conduct gives rise to a powerful wrongful termination claim. You have 3 years from the date of the retaliatory act to file a civil lawsuit, with no administrative filing required. ### Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy Even without a specific statute, an employer cannot fire someone for a reason that violates fundamental California public policy, such as refusing to commit perjury, serving on a jury, or exercising a constitutional right. Under [California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=335.1.), you have two years from the date of termination to file. ### Breach of Employment Contract When a written or implied employment contract limits the reasons for termination, firing the employee outside those boundaries can be a breach of contract. Executives, professionals, and union members often have these protections, and a written-contract claim generally carries a four-year filing window. Available 24/7 ## Talk to an Experienced Wrongful Termination Attorney Today Speak with a trusted wrongful termination lawyer in Los Angeles about your rights, your deadlines, and the compensation you may be owed. No fees unless we win. [Get a Free Consultation Today](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/consultation) ## Fired Illegally? Get a Free, Confidential Case Review. Talk to our wrongful termination lawyers before you sign anything or miss a filing deadline. [Get a Free Consultation Today](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/consultation) ## our team Our Trusted Los Angeles Employment Attorneys [More About Us](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/about-us) ## Our cases Our Case Results [View All Cases](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/results) ## testimonials Client Testimonials & Reviews [View All Testimonials](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/reviews) ## locations Areas We Serve Our wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles proudly represent employees throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding communities, including: - Beverly Hills - Santa Monica - West Hollywood - Hollywood - Downtown Los Angeles - Mid-Wilshire - Culver City - Inglewood - Pasadena - Burbank - Glendale - Encino - Downey [714 W Olympic Blvd STE 631, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4tZzuCnAsaMXv4yE6) (213) 513-6701 - Downtown Los Angeles Office - Our downtown office serves the heart of the city, including communities like - Echo Park, Silver Lake, Koreatown, and Boyle Heights. [12121 Wilshire Blvd Suite 103, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVXjRJmXJwZfTnnx6) (213) 682-3452 - Westside Los Angeles Office - From our Westside office, we help clients in - Santa Monica, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and surrounding areas. [225 S Lake Ave STE 300, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8mTZkfFFBE1yH5Jo8) (213) 325-1072 - Pasadena Office - Our Pasadena office works with clients in the - San Gabriel Valley, Altadena, Glendale, and Burbank. [16000 Ventura Blvd Suite 701, Encino, CA 91436, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gdCeYzSo9Bkaghtd9) (213) 772-3952 - Encino Office - Our Encino office caters to clients in the - San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, and nearby communities. [View All Locations](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/locations) ## FAQ Frequently Asked Questions Our firm works on a contingency fee basis for wrongful termination cases, which means you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free. - How much does it cost to hire a wrongful termination lawyer in Los Angeles? There is no single "average". Case values depend on lost wages, the strength of the evidence, the size of the employer, the severity of emotional harm, and whether punitive damages are in play. Some claims resolve for tens of thousands of dollars; others reach seven figures. Our wrongful termination attorney team in Los Angeles gives you an honest valuation during your free consultation. - What is the average wrongful termination settlement in California? Sometimes. A release may be invalid if you signed it under duress, did not receive proper consideration, were not given the required time to review under federal law for workers 40 and over, or it improperly tried to waive claims that cannot legally be waived (such as unpaid wages). Bring the agreement to your consultation. - Can I still sue if I already signed a severance agreement? California's wrongful termination protections apply regardless of immigration status. Your employer cannot use threats about your status to fire you, retaliate against you, or block your claim, and immigration status is generally inadmissible in civil cases. - What if I'm an undocumented worker? ## Contact Our Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyers Today to Get Honest Answers If you've been wrongfully fired in Los Angeles, every day that passes matters. The claim filing windows are tight, and evidence disappears fast. Reach out to Cohen & Marzban for a free, confidential case review. Our wrongful termination attorneys in Los Angeles will pursue the full compensation you're owed. Available 24/7, no fees unless we win. --- Cohen & Marzban — [https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/wrongful-termination](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/wrongful-termination)