Even though California is an at-will employment state, that does not mean that your employer can terminate you for reporting harassment. Workers cannot be terminated for exercising their rights or reporting unlawful or unethical activity. It doesn’t matter if you were the one being harassed or whether it was a coworker.

Unfortunately, many employers will terminate an employee for reporting harassment, either out of ignorance or in an attempt to hide the truth. They may claim that the employee was a “troublemaker,” they were underperforming, or that there was some other reason unrelated to the fact that they had filed a harassment complaint. Fortunately, your employer does not get the last word – a wrongful termination attorney can set the record straight if you have been fired for filing a harassment complaint.

You May Be Able to Recover Your Financial Losses

If you have been wrongfully terminated, you may be entitled to the following damages:

Your lost pay and benefits
The emotional distress you suffered as a result of your termination
The damage to your professional reputation
Your attorney’s fees and costs

If you were the target of the harassment, you may also be able to pursue a harassment claim in addition to your wrongful termination claim. Furthermore, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages – compensation that is awarded when employers act in a particularly malicious manner that is intended to both punish the employer and dissuade others from behaving similarly.

You Need to Take Action Now

California has a two-year statute of limitations in wrongful termination claims. That means that you will lose all of your rights if you do not file a lawsuit within two years of being fired. While this sounds like a long time, time passes faster than you realize, especially when you are in a financial crisis. In addition, the longer you wait to pursue your case, the harder it will be to prove. A wrongful termination attorney can not only help you hold your employer accountable but also help you get back on your feet.

Talk to a Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

If you have been fired for reporting harassment, Attorneys for Employees can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your rights and your options.