Author name: Tom Feher, Esq.

Tom Feher is the founding attorney of Feher Law APC, a California personal injury and employment law firm with offices in Torrance and Huntington Beach. He has recovered over $100 million for injured workers and accident victims across California. Tom is a trial attorney licensed to practice in all California state courts and focuses on complex personal injury, workplace discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination cases. He offers free consultations to prospective clients.

Can I Be Fired After Announcing Retirement in California? (2026)

Yes, California’s at-will employment rule generally allows employers to terminate employees who announced retirement, but several exceptions create wrongful termination claims. ERISA prohibits firings designed to deny pension benefits, FEHA protects against age discrimination, and breach of implied contract claims apply when termination violates promised retirement transition policies. Affected employees may recover back pay, lost […]

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Can I Collect Unemployment If Fired While on Disability in California? (2026)

You generally cannot collect California unemployment while actively receiving SDI (State Disability Insurance) benefits because unemployment requires you to be ABLE and AVAILABLE to work, while SDI requires you to be UNABLE to work. After SDI ends, you may qualify for unemployment if you’re able to return to work but the job is no longer

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Fired After Taking Approved Time Off in California? (2026)

Yes, being fired after taking approved time off in California is often illegal. Workers protected under FMLA, CFRA (California Family Rights Act), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), or paid sick leave can recover wrongful termination damages, including back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and reinstatement. California disability discrimination laws (FEHA) also apply if leave was related

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How Is Fault Determined in a California Car Accident? (2026)

Fault in a California car accident is determined by examining police reports, witness statements, physical evidence (skid marks, vehicle damage, traffic camera footage), and California Vehicle Code violations. California’s pure comparative negligence rule (CCP §1714) allows fault to be split between drivers, with damages reduced by each party’s fault percentage. Insurance adjusters, accident reconstruction experts,

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Who Is at Fault If Someone Brake Checks You in California? (2026)

If someone brake-checks you in California, the brake-checking driver is typically at fault when their actions are intentional and unnecessary. California Vehicle Code §22109 prohibits unnecessary sudden stops. However, California’s pure comparative negligence rule means following drivers may share fault if they were tailgating, distracted, or speeding. Dashcam footage and witness statements are critical evidence

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Picture of broken leg

Can I Be Fired If My Short-Term Disability Is Denied in California? (2026)

No, you cannot legally be fired simply because your short-term disability claim was denied. The denial of disability insurance benefits doesn’t automatically strip away your job protections under California and federal law, and your employer must still comply with leave laws and disability accommodations regardless of whether your insurance claim was approved. Contact our Torrance

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Disability Discrimination in California: Complete Guide (2026)

Disability discrimination in California is illegal under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). California disability discrimination victims can recover lost wages, emotional distress damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages. Settlements typically range from $50,000 to $500,000+, with severe cases involving wrongful termination or failure-to-accommodate exceeding $1M.

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How Long Does a Discrimination Lawsuit Take in California? (2026)

California discrimination lawsuits typically take 12 to 36 months to resolve. The CRD (Civil Rights Department) administrative complaint takes 6-12 months, and litigation after filing runs 12-24 additional months. Most cases settle in mediation 18-24 months after filing. Complex cases involving multiple plaintiffs, class actions, or punitive damages can extend 3-5 years. Right-to-sue letter is

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How Much Does a California Discrimination Lawyer Cost? (2026)

Discrimination lawyers in California typically charge 33-40% contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing unless you win your case. At Feher Law, our employment discrimination attorneys work on this “no win, no fee” basis because we treat our clients as an extension of our family and understand the financial challenges workplace discrimination creates. Need help with

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How Much Can You Sue an Employer for Misclassification in California? (2026)

California workers misclassified as independent contractors or exempt employees can sue for $5,000 to $25,000 per violation under Labor Code §226.8, plus all unpaid wages, overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, and PAGA penalties. Most misclassification settlements range from $50,000 to $500,000+, with class actions exceeding $5M depending on the number of affected workers and

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Average Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement in California (2026)

From Tom Feher, Esq. “California whistleblower cases settle highest when plaintiff counsel knows which statutory framework anchors the strongest claim. Labor Code 1102.5 alone caps at one range; layer in FEHA when the protected activity overlaps discrimination, and the range doubles. Add the False Claims Act qui tam component on government-fraud reports, and recovery can

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pIcture of a wounded leg from a slip and fall accident

How Are Slip and Fall Settlements Calculated in California

Slip and fall settlements in California are calculated based on economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and fault percentage under California’s comparative negligence law. From our experience at Feher Law, these factors work together to determine your total compensation, and our team evaluates each element to

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How Much Does a California Personal Injury Lawyer Cost? (2026)

From Tom Feher, Esq. “The math on personal injury contingency fees confuses most clients before they call us. Standard California rates of 33 percent pre-suit and 40 percent post-filing sound high, but the data is consistent: represented claimants recover three to five times more than unrepresented claimants on equivalent cases, even after the fee. The

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Can I Sue My Employer for Unfair Treatment in California? (2026)

Yes, you can sue a California employer for unfair treatment when the treatment violates a specific law: FEHA (Government Code 12940) for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation; Labor Code 1102.5 for whistleblower retaliation; Labor Code 232 for pay-discussion retaliation; or wage-and-hour statutes. Generic unfairness without a protected category or protected activity is not actionable in California’s

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Soft Tissue Injury Settlement Examples in California (2026)

Soft tissue injury settlement examples demonstrate compensation ranging from $2,500 for minor strains to over $350,000 for severe injuries requiring surgery. From our experience at Feher Law, these settlements depend on injury severity, treatment duration, and impact on daily life throughout California. Our California personal injury attorneys have recovered over $150 million for clients with

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Who Is at Fault in a 3-Car Accident in California? (2026)

In a California three-car accident, fault is allocated under the pure comparative fault rule of Civil Code 1714, meaning every driver can be assigned a percentage and recover their reduced share, even down to 1 percent. The rear-most driver is typically presumed negligent under Vehicle Code 22350 and 21703, but the presumption shifts when chain-reaction

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Man with a broken arm in a cast and sling standing in a hospital room

Average Broken Arm Slip and Fall Settlement in California (2026)

The average settlement for a broken arm in a slip and fall in California is $40,000 to $300,000. The final settlement amount depends on several key factors that significantly increase the value of your claim. These factors include: Severity of the injury and fracture complexity Medical expenses incurred and future medical costs Lost wages and

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Loss of Enjoyment of Life Lawsuit in California (2026)

Loss of enjoyment of life damages in California compensate accident victims who can no longer participate in hobbies, relationships, sports, or daily activities they enjoyed before injury. These non-economic damages typically range from $25,000 to $500,000+ as part of pain and suffering awards under California Civil Code §3333. Severe cases involving permanent disability, paralysis, or

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