California itself is an “at-will” employment state, which generally means that for most jobs you can be fired for any reason or no reason. However, if the reason for your termination violates the public policy of California law, or for example is discriminatory or retaliatory then you may have a case for wrongful termination. The first step in enforcing your rights is to find the best wrongful termination lawyer in your area to first determine if you have a case, and then to represent in your case. The lawyers at the Akopyan Law Firm who handle employment cases in Glendale, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles stand ready to help.
Gather Evidence
The first step in dealing with a wrongful termination is to gather evidence you have that is pertinent to your case. The best wrongful termination lawyer will tell you that oftentimes documentary evidence plays a critically important role in determining the outcome of any particular employment case. The following are just some of the categories of documents that are helpful in a wrongful termination case:
1. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to anything at all which relates to your case.
2. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to your performance. This would include things like performance reviews, and documents relating to raises, and/or promotions.
3. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to how you were being mistreated at work.
4. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications which were exchanged between you and your employer at the time of your hire.
5. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to your termination. This would include documents like the termination letter.
6. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to your wage loss. This would include things like pay stubs, wage statements, benefits election forms, and pension plan documents.
7. All documents, text messages, emails, or other communications relating to your stress, emotional distress, and/or medical condition. This would include things like doctors’ visits records, prescriptions, and medical certification forms.
8. Any claims which you have filed. This would include things like a DFEH Complaint and Right to Sue letter.
Write A Chronological Timeline of Events While Everything Is Still Fresh In Your Mind
The best wrongful termination lawyer will tell you that every case stands and falls on its facts. As time passes people tend to forget some of the finer details. It can take years before a case gets to trial, and in that time it is natural for people to forget things. You can minimize the risk of forgetting important information by writing down the facts while they are still fresh in your memory. This timeline will also help your wrongful termination lawyer to evaluate your case.
Consult a Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Consulting the best wrongful termination lawyer should be done immediately after gathering and organizing any documentation you have. Oftentimes these case evaluations are free of charge. There are time deadlines that apply to wrongful termination claims, so the sooner you act the better.
File an Administrative Complaint with the DFEH And Get Your Right to Sue
With all your evidence in hand, and with the help of the best wrongful termination lawyer you can find, you can file an administrative complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and get your a right to sue.
Explore the Possibility of Settlement
The best wrongful termination lawyer will tell you that its preferable to resolve a case outside of court if its at all possible to do so. Litigation is expensive and time consuming. It often takes years to get to a jury. If your lawyer can secure a reasonable settlement that fairly compensates you for your harm without having to put you through litigation you should give serious consideration to a pre-lawsuit settlement.
File a Lawsuit if All Else Fails
If your former employer is not interested in resolving the case without litigation, then your option at that point is to file suit and prosecute your case.
If you have been wrongfully terminated and need the best wrongful termination lawyer in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Glendale & Los Angeles, then consider contacting Akopyan Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.