Torrance Wrongful Termination Lawyer
| Feher Law
- Top Rated Trial Firm
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
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Facing termination from your employer can be a stressful experience, but taking swift action is vital to protect your rights. Each year tens of thousands of individuals face wrongful termination, leading to significant hardships.
Navigating this legal landscape demands expertise in local employment laws and a commitment to advocating for employee rights. Our Torrance wrongful termination lawyers possess the knowledge and dedication needed to guide you through these turbulent times and pursue justice.
If you believe you’ve been unjustly dismissed from your job, don’t hesitate to seek the support of a trusted legal ally. Feher Law’s team in Torrance is ready to protect your rights and pursue fair treatment on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason, including discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblowing.
- California Labor Code Section 1102.5 protects employees from being fired for reporting violations of law to a government agency or internally.
- You must generally file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) before suing for discrimination-based wrongful termination.
- Feher Law handles wrongful termination cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
- Damages can include lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, and, in cases of malicious conduct, punitive damages.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Feher Law for Wrongful Termination Cases?
- Litigation and Trial Expertise: Our team possesses extensive experience in all legal proceedings, from initial claim filing to complex litigation and trial advocacy. With strategic insights, we ensure your case is presented powerfully to secure the justice you deserve.
- Compassionate Strategies: We understand the emotional challenges of wrongful termination cases. Our approach emphasizes empathy and support, guiding you through the process with care and understanding.
- Proven Results: Feher Law has a history of achieving significant outcomes for clients. For example, in the beginning of 2024, we won a $1.4 million settlement for a client wrongfully terminated after taking time off. Our top priority is getting our clients justice!
Recent Case Results
Meet Our Team
Thomas Feher, Esq.
Founding Attorney
Stephen Wiard, Esq.
Senior Trial Attorney
Sandy Luu, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Alex Ballard, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Karen Parra, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Chase Nielsen, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Betsy Gomez
Managing Paralegal
Erica Feher
Chief of Operations
What Does Wrongful Termination Look Like in the Workplace?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is unlawfully fired, violating employment laws or public policy. It can happen for various reasons, including:
- Discrimination: Firing based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability.
- Retaliation: Dismissal as punishment for protected activities like reporting harassment or exercising legal rights.
- Breach of Contract: Violating terms of an employment contract, whether written or implied.
- Violation of Public Policy: Termination for reasons against public interest, such as whistleblowing.
Understanding your employment rights in California is crucial. Victims may seek relief like reinstatement or compensation. Consulting a seasoned wrongful termination lawyer in Torrance can clarify your options and protect your rights.
Additional reading: Torrance workplace discrimination lawyer
Understanding Wrongful Termination Laws in California
California’s laws on wrongful termination provide robust safeguards for employees against unjust dismissals. Understanding these regulations is vital for employers and employees alike to navigate employment relationships effectively.
Here’s an in-depth look at California’s wrongful termination laws:
- At-Will Employment: While California follows the principle of at-will employment, allowing employers to terminate employees for legal reasons, exceptions exist.
- Protected Characteristics: Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers cannot fire employees based on protected traits like race, gender, age, or disability.
- Retaliation Protections: California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in protected activities, such as reporting workplace discrimination.
- Whistleblower Protections: Whistleblowers reporting illegal activities or safety violations are shielded from retaliation under California law.
- Breach of Contract: Wrongful termination can occur if an employer violates an employment contract, whether written or implied.
- Public Policy Exceptions: Firing an employee for refusing to participate in illegal activities or exercising legal rights may constitute wrongful termination.
- Remedies: Successful claims may result in remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.
Have You Been Wrongfully Terminated?
Determining if your termination was wrongful involves examining the circumstances surrounding your dismissal and understanding your legal rights. Several indicators may suggest wrongful termination.
Firstly, if you were fired due to protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability, it could be wrongful. Similarly, if your dismissal was retaliation for protected activities like reporting harassment, it might be considered wrongful.
Additionally, termination that breaches an employment contract, whether explicit or implied, could be wrongful. If your dismissal violates public policy, such as being fired for whistleblowing, it may also be wrongful. Lastly, if your employer terminated you for reasons against the law or company policies, you could have a claim.
If you suspect you were wrongfully terminated, speak with our employment attorneys. At Feher Law, we can evaluate the circumstances of your dismissal, advise you on your legal rights, and help you determine the best course of action to pursue.
Why Hire a Torrance Wrongful Termination Attorney?
Dealing with legal matters at work, such as filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or pursuing legal recourse for issues like harassment or unfair treatment, can be daunting when you’re alone. The intricacies of wrongful termination laws, both federal and in California, can make it challenging to understand your rights and the appropriate steps to take next.
That’s where having a reliable attorney from our firm can be invaluable. In such situations, it’s not just about seeking justice but also about securing fair treatment and alleviating stress. Our team will actively pursue your wrongful termination case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for being unjustly fired.
With us handling the complex legal procedures, you can find peace of mind and focus on moving forward. Leveraging our experience and commitment, you stand a better chance of winning your case and obtaining the fair treatment you’re entitled to.
What is the Deadline to File a Wrongful Termination Case?
In California, workers who suspect they’ve been unjustly dismissed have a two-year timeframe from their termination to commence legal proceedings against their employer.
If you’re terminated for reasons that violate essential societal standards—such as retaliation for whistleblowing or discrimination based on protected traits—you have up to two years to pursue justice and potentially file a lawsuit to obtain compensation or other forms of relief.
Additional reading: wrongful termination statute of limitations in California
Steps to Take After You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated
The initial steps to take after being wrongfully terminated involve protecting your rights and gathering evidence to support your case. Here’s a guide on how to start:
- Review Your Employment Contract: If you have an employment contract, review it to understand your rights and any provisions related to termination.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of the events leading up to your termination, including emails, performance reviews, witness statements, and any relevant documentation.
- Review Company Policies: Familiarize yourself with your employer’s policies on termination, discrimination, and retaliation to determine if your rights have been violated.
- Seek Legal Advice: Consult with an experienced wrongful termination lawyer to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. They can provide guidance on the best course of action and help you navigate the legal process.
- File a Complaint: If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated, consider filing a complaint with the appropriate government agency, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Feher Law will guide you through this.
- Preserve Evidence: Preserve any evidence related to your termination, such as emails, performance evaluations, and witness statements, as this may be crucial in supporting your case.
- Stay Calm and Professional: While it’s natural to feel upset and angry after being terminated, try to remain calm and professional in your interactions with your employer and others involved in the process.
- Consider Your Next Steps: Depending on your circumstances, you may choose to pursue legal action against your employer or explore other avenues for resolving the issue, such as mediation or negotiation.
By taking these steps, you can protect your rights and begin the process of seeking justice for wrongful termination.
What Compensation Can I Receive for Wrongful Termination?
If you’ve been wrongfully terminated, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation to address the financial and emotional impact of your dismissal. The specific damages available depend on the circumstances of your case, but may include:
- Back pay: Wages and benefits you would have earned from termination until resolution
- Front pay: Future wages you would have earned if still employed
- Emotional distress compensation: For psychological trauma and suffering
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation when employer misconduct is particularly egregious
- Attorney fees and legal costs: Coverage for expenses incurred pursuing your case
- Job reinstatement: Return to your former position when appropriate
To help you understand the potential value of your claim, we’ve developed a wrongful termination settlement calculator in California that considers all these factors. This tool can provide a preliminary estimate based on your specific situation, helping you make informed decisions about your case.
Ready to find out what your wrongful termination claim might be worth? Contact Feher Law today at (310) 340-1112 for a free consultation and personalized evaluation of your potential compensation using our wrongful termination settlement calculator.
Disclaimer: The results generated by this wrongful termination settlement calculator are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. This tool provides an estimated calculation based on general inputs and does not account for specific factors, such as the unique details of your case, applicable laws, or liability considerations. The figures provided are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon as a definitive prediction of your settlement outcome.
What Can I Expect to Pay?
With Feher Law, you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront for your employment law claim. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will be charged fees once we successfully resolve your case.
Our contingency fee structure is simple: we only get paid if we win your case and secure compensation for you. This ensures that our goals are aligned with yours, and you can trust that we’re fully committed to fighting for the justice and settlement you deserve.
What to Expect When You Work With Feher Law
- Free Case Evaluation: Contact Feher Law for a no-cost review of your situation. We assess the facts and advise you on whether you have a viable wrongful termination claim.
- Filing a CRD Complaint: If your termination was related to discrimination or harassment, we file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on your behalf before pursuing court action.
- Investigation: We gather employment records, termination letters, performance reviews, and witness statements to document that your firing was unlawful.
- Negotiation: We negotiate directly with your former employer and their legal team to seek fair compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress.
- Litigation if Necessary: If your employer refuses to settle fairly, we file suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court and prepare your case for trial.
Areas We Specialize In
Our Torrance employment attorneys specialize in various areas of employment law to support you through any workplace challenges you may face:
Discrimination-Based Termination
Fired because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. We pursue claims under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
Retaliation
Terminated after reporting harassment, filing a workers’ comp claim, taking protected leave, or whistleblowing on your employer’s illegal activity.
Harassment-Related Termination
Forced out of your job due to a hostile work environment created by ongoing harassment that your employer failed to address.
Breach of Employment Contract
Let go in violation of a written employment agreement, implied contract, or company policy that limited your employer’s right to terminate.
Whistleblower Termination
Fired for reporting unsafe working conditions, wage violations, or other illegal conduct to a government agency or internally within your company.
FMLA / CFRA Retaliation
Terminated or pushed out after taking or requesting protected medical or family leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or California Family Rights Act.
Other Locations We Serve
We proudly extend our legal services to various cities in the region, including but not limited to:
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Have You Been Wrongfully Terminated? Get Expert Help Today!
Contact our team of specialized attorneys in Torrance to initiate the process of addressing your employment concerns. At Feher Law Firm, we’re deeply familiar with the intricacies of employment law and pledge to offer tailored, impactful legal strategies once we’ve reviewed your situation.
Contact us at (310) 340-1112 today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation to get started.
Last reviewed by Thomas Feher, Esq. – April 2026
Services We Offer
When it comes to your recovery and peace of mind, it’s vital to have an expert by your side that really understands the bigger picture of employment law. Explore the full range of services we offer below.
FAQs
What are the rules of termination?
The termination rules vary depending on factors such as employment contracts, company policies, and state laws. Employers are generally required to provide termination notice, comply with contractual obligations, and adhere to anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, some states have specific regulations regarding notice periods, severance pay, and reasons for termination.
How do you respond to termination of employment?
When responding to termination of employment, it's essential to remain calm and professional. Consider asking your employer to clarify the reasons for termination and reviewing your rights, including any severance pay or benefits entitlements. If appropriate, negotiate the terms of your departure, such as references or continuation of benefits. It's also advisable to seek legal advice to understand your options and ensure your rights are protected.
What is the average settlement for a wrongful termination case?
In general, wrongful termination settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars or even a million dollars like our last wrongfully terminated client. However, it's essential to note that each case is unique, and there is no fixed average settlement amount. Factors such as the severity of the misconduct, the impact on the employee's career and livelihood, and the defendant's willingness to negotiate can all influence the final settlement amount.
Can I be fired for no reason in California?
California is an at-will state, so employers can generally terminate employees without giving a reason. However, they cannot fire you for an illegal reason such as your race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or for reporting workplace misconduct. If you suspect your termination was unlawful, you may have a wrongful termination claim worth pursuing.
How long do I have to file a wrongful termination claim in California?
The deadline depends on the basis of your claim. For discrimination-based wrongful termination, you must file a complaint with the CRD within 3 years of the adverse action. After receiving a right-to-sue notice, you then have 1 year to file a civil lawsuit. Other claims such as breach of contract may have different deadlines. Speaking with an attorney promptly is critical to protecting your rights.
What compensation can I recover in a wrongful termination case?
Recoverable damages may include back pay for lost wages and benefits, front pay for future lost earnings, compensation for emotional distress, and punitive damages in cases involving malicious conduct. If your employer violated California labor statutes, you may also be entitled to attorney's fees.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION
Our team is standing by and ready to assist you. Consultations are completely free and confidential. We will help you determine if you have a case.
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- Get The Justice You Deserve
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