Wrongful Termination Attorney

 Getting fired is stressful. Getting fired illegally is actionable. While  California is an "at-will" employment state, your employer cannot fire you  for a reason that violates the law. If you were terminated due to  discrimination, retaliation, or for blowing the whistle on unsafe  practices, you may be entitled to significant compensation.  At The Law Offices of Robert Warwick, we take a surgical approach to  wrongful termination cases. We don't just look for "unfairness"; we identify  the specific statutory violations that turn a firing into a lawsuit. 

 Many Sacramento employers hide behind the "at-will" rule, claiming they can  fire you for any reason. This is false. They cannot fire you for an illegal  reason.  

Common Grounds for a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit:

1. Discrimination (FEHA Violations) Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Gov. Code § 12940),  it is illegal to terminate an employee based on: 

• Race, Religious Creed, or National Origin 

• Age (40+) 

• Disability (Physical or Mental) or Medical Condition 

• Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Pregnancy  

2. Whistleblower Retaliation (Labor Code § 1102.5) You cannot be fired for reporting a violation of the law to a government  agency or a supervisor. If you reported safety violations (OSHA), wage  theft, or fraud and were fired shortly after, this is a prime case for  retaliation.  

3. Retaliation for Protected Activities Your employer cannot punish you for exercising your legal rights, such as: 

• Taking FMLA/CFRA medical leave 

• Filing a Workers' Compensation claim 

• Refusing to perform an illegal act 

• Taking time off for Jury Duty (Labor Code § 230)  

4. Violation of Public Policy (Tameny Claims) Even without a specific statute, you cannot be fired for refusing to break  the law (e.g., refusing to shred documents or lie to an auditor). This is  known as a Tameny claim in California courts. 

In a successful wrongful termination suit, we fight to recover:

• Economic Damages: 

Past and future lost wages and benefits

• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of reputation

• Punitive Damages: Additional penalties designed to punish the employer for malicious conduct

• Attorney's Fees: In many FEHA and whistleblower cases, the employer may 

  be required to pay your legal bills.