Wrongful Termination Lawyer
It is illegal for employers to fire someone due to a disability, medical condition, work injury, or because they requested accommodations or took protected medical leave.
We Fight for Employees Wrongfully Terminated Due to Disability or Injury
Losing your job after disclosing a disability, receiving a diagnosis, or taking medical leave is not just devastating, but can also raise serious legal questions. You may not know if your employer followed the law and what rights you have to protect yourself.
It is illegal for employers to fire someone due to a disability, medical condition, work injury, or because they requested accommodations or took protected medical leave. If you believe your employer fired you because of your disability or injury, you may have a viable wrongful termination claim. A wrongful termination lawyer can help you to seek compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other damages.
Do not hesitate to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with us. At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we advocate for employees wronged by their employers. Call us at 1-888-779-1180 or submit our online contact form to schedule your consultation.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
A wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in violation of state or federal law, or in breach of an employment contract. In the context of a disability or injury, you may have been wrongfully terminated if your termination was motivated by:
- Mental or physical disability
- Covered medical condition
- Perceived disability
- Requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability or medical condition
- Requesting or taking protected medical or family leave
- Reporting a workplace injury or filing a workers’ compensation claim
What Counts as a Disability or Covered Medical Condition?
Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), “disability” has a broad definition. It generally encompasses any mental or physical impairment, as well as certain medical conditions, that limit a major life activity. FEHA also protects individuals with a history of such conditions and those perceived as having a disability.
Examples of disabilities and covered medical conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Deafness or significant hearing loss
- Blindness or visual impairment
- Partial or complete loss of limbs
- Mobility impairments requiring assistive devices
- Neurological conditions
- Diabetes
- HIV/AIDS
- Organic brain syndrome
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other chronic or episodic mental health conditions
- Cancer and cancer-related impairments
- Genetic characteristics known to cause or increase the risk of disease or disorder
What Laws Protect Disabled and Injured Workers?
Several state and federal laws protect employees from termination due to a disability, medical condition, or injury:
- Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). FEHA prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because they are a member of a protected category, including those with disabilities. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a federal law that similarly prohibits discrimination based on an employee’s qualifying physical or mental impairment. It requires reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA). CFRA allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for certain family and medical reasons.
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA is a federal law that also provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for qualifying family and medical reasons.
- California Labor Code Section 132(a). This section of the Labor Code prohibits employers from discriminating against, retaliating against, or terminating employees because they are injured on the job. It also protects employees who file or intend to file a workers’ compensation claim.
If you believe you may have a wrongful termination claim, then do not hesitate to contact us. We can review your situation and determine if you have a viable claim under one or more of these laws.
How Our Wrongful Termination Lawyers Can Help
If you lost your job after a disability, diagnosis, injury, or medical leave, it may feel like your entire life has been turned upside down. However, you have legal rights. A wrongful termination lawyer from our firm can help you understand your potential legal options.
We investigate and confirm if you have a viable claim, then we will gather and preserve critical evidence, handle communication on your behalf, and build a strong claim for compensation.
We will help you pursue justice and compensation for the harm you have suffered. For example, depending on your case, you may be entitled to damages, including:
- Job reinstatement
- Back pay
- Lost wages
- Lost work benefits
- Emotional distress
- Attorney’s fees and litigation costs
We offer a free, confidential consultation to listen to your story, answer your legal questions, and discuss your legal rights. We will review the circumstances of your termination and discuss your legal options for seeking justice and compensation.
If we can take your case, you will not pay anything until we win. You do not have to worry about upfront legal fees or out-of-pocket costs. We will cover the upfront costs of your case and only get paid if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation With a Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Do you believe you were terminated because of a disability, medical condition, or injury? If so, do not hesitate to contact a wrongful termination attorney from our firm. We can review what happened, explain your rights, and help you understand whether you may have a claim.
Our firm offers a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We are here to listen to your story and answer your legal questions. We will also discuss your legal rights and options for moving forward. Call us at 1-888-779-1180 or submit our online contact form to schedule your consultation.
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