Wrongful Termination Based on Age

Orange County Employment Discrimination Attorneys

California law mandates that workers in California cannot be fired solely because of their age. Anyone working in California who is 40 or older is protected by these laws. The Nassiri Law Group is comprised of Orange County age discrimination lawyers who understand the protections that California law provides to employees within the state. Being terminated from a job can be financially and emotionally devastating, so if you believe your rights have been violated, contact the Nassiri Law Group today.

Age Discrimination in California

Age discrimination is a serious problem in California. In 2012, there were 5,605 claimed instances of age discrimination that resulted in lawsuits. According to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, age discrimination cases account for 9.8 percent of employment discrimination claims in California. With headquarters in Orange County and offices in Los Angeles and Riverside, the Nassiri Law Group is prepared to protect the rights of southern California workers facing unlawful conduct by their employers.

The Rights of California Workers Age 40 or Older

One of the primary laws that protects California workers is called the Fair Housing and Employment Act (FEHA). The California legislature passed FEHA to prevent employers in California from discriminating against workers on the basis of sex, age, disability, and other factors. One of the protections offered by FEHA is that workers may not be terminated or otherwise treated adversely by an employer on the basis of age. The aim is to ensure that people who are 40 or older are treated fairly in the workplace. The law says that “[i]t is an unlawful employment practice… [f]or an employer, because of the… age… of any person,… to discharge the person from employment…” In addition to FEHA, workers who have been wrongfully terminated due to their age have rights under other California laws. These laws allow workers to seek compensation for their losses in the event that their former employer’s actions violated California public policy.

California workers may also pursue legal relief under these circumstances pursuant to federal laws including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Similar to California law, this federal standard prohibits termination or other improper treatment related to employment on the basis of a person’s age of 40 or above.

Legal Remedies Available to Victims of Age Discrimination

Workers who have been wrongfully discharged or mistreated because of their age may be entitled to damages designed put them back where they were before their employer’s illegal conduct. This means that workers fired because of their age can recoup lost wages and possibly receive compensation for their emotional distress. In some cases, employers are even liable for punitive damages, which are designed to punish a defendant for particularly bad conduct.

It is sometimes difficult to know and prove that an employer terminated a person’s employment due to age, as employers often make excuses to hide this fact. However, there are signs to look for, such as an employer hiring a younger, inexperienced person to replace an older worker that made more money. The attorneys at the Nassiri Law Group can help identify some of the signs of unlawful discharge or conduct based on age. Contact us right away if you think your rights may have been violated.

Experienced Employment Discrimination Lawyers

At the Nassiri Law Group, our Orange County employment attorneys represent victims of all forms of discrimination, including wrongful termination due to age. Employment law can be complicated and confusing, especially if you encountering financial or emotional hardship as a result of your employer’s actions. Our attorneys understand the nuances of California and federal employment law, and are prepared to pursue every legal avenue available to victims of age discrimination. If you are over 40 and have been fired or otherwise subjected to wrongful conduct by your employer, and suspect that this adverse treatment may be related to your age, call the attorneys at the Nassiri Law Group at (949) 375-4734 or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule your free consultation today.