As one of California’s most populous cities, Fresno is among the state’s leaders in industry and employment. The city is home to a number of industries providing a range of job opportunities for those seeking work to provide for their families. With a lower cost of living than many other cities in California, Fresno can be an attractive option for those looking to start a career or make a change.
Still, of all the different scenarios you find yourself in as a worker in Fresno, by far the most unfortunate–and troubling–is when your rights are violated by your employer. California’s extensive legal protections for workers in Fresno are among the strongest that you’ll find, but they also require the help of an experienced employment lawyer.
Maison Law Has the Experience and Skill You Need in Fresno
At Maison Law, we understand how difficult it can be to have your workplace rights violated. Our team of experienced Fresno employment lawyers has the skills and knowledge necessary to handle the complexities of a California employment law case. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of representation and fighting tirelessly on their behalf.
Whether you’re facing the challenge of a legal issue or simply need guidance on your rights and options, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us put our experience and skill to work for you.
What Type of Employment Law Cases Are There in Fresno?
As part of the legal protections extended to employees in Fresno, California law offers a wide variety of different types of potential claims after violations. No matter what industry you work in, there are uniform protections across the California Labor Code. Here are some of the more common types of employment law cases our firm handles in Fresno:
- Discrimination – Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers in Fresno cannot treat employees differently based on their protected characteristics, such as race, gender, age, disability, or religion. If an employee believes they have been discriminated against, they may file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), which is charged with enforcing the FEHA in workplaces.
- Harassment – Employers are required to provide a workplace free of harassment, including sexual harassment. If an employee experiences harassment from a coworker, supervisor, or manager, they may file a complaint with the DFEH.
- Retaliation – Employers cannot retaliate against employees for filing a complaint or engaging in other protected activity. If an employee experiences retaliation, they may file a complaint with the DFEH or DLSE. Workplaces in Fresno are protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), which prohibits retaliation for reporting unlawful activity.
- Wrongful termination – Employers in Fresno can’t fire employees for reasons that violate state or federal law, such as discrimination or harassment. Wrongful termination can also occur if an employer retaliates against an employee for engaging in protected activity, such as reporting discrimination or harassment or filing a complaint with a government agency.
- Wage and hour violations – Every Fresno employer is required to pay employees at least minimum wage, and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 per week. If an employee believes they have not been paid fairly, they may file a complaint with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).
These are just a few examples of the types of employment law cases that can arise in Fresno. If you have a concern or believe your rights have been violated, it’s important to seek the advice of experienced employment lawyers.
How Can a Fresno Employment Lawyer Help You?
Generally speaking, there are many ways an employment lawyer in Fresno can help you if you believe your workplace rights have been violated by your employer. Aside from providing initial legal advice and guidance, they can give you a better idea of how the law applies to your specific situation. California employment law is somewhat complex, so an experienced employment lawyer can explain your potential claim to you. From there, they can help you in the following ways:
- Evaluating your case – A lawyer can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case and help you determine the best course of action.
- Negotiating with your employer – If appropriate, a lawyer can negotiate with your employer on your behalf to try to resolve the dispute without the need for litigation.
- Representing you in court – The main role of a Fresno employment lawyer is to represent you in court and advocate on your behalf to help you obtain a favorable outcome.
- Filing administrative claims – An employment lawyer can assist you with filing administrative claims with government agencies such as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), or the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).
- Filing a lawsuit – Once the administrative complaints are filed, an employment lawyer can then assist you with filing a lawsuit against your employer in civil court. At that point, a claim for damages will be initiated, but it will require participation in the legal process. This includes discovery, depositions, mediation, and potentially, trial.
- Providing support – Dealing with employment disputes can be stressful and emotional. An employment lawyer can provide you with emotional support and help you navigate the process.
Overall, an experienced Fresno employment lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected, and can help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case. Whether this be through the administrative complaint or civil lawsuit, working with the right Fresno employment lawyer can make all the difference in the result of your case.
What Damages Are Available in a Fresno Employment Law Claim?
Ultimately, the reason you’re working with a Fresno employment lawyer is to recover the benefits and support that’s available to you under California law. In legal terms, these are known as “damages”. By working with our team of experienced Fresno employment lawyers, we can make sure your case for damages remains in the best possible position to succeed. As it relates to employment law, you can potentially recover the following damages in a successful claim:
- Lost wages – Lost wages and front pay could be recoverable as damages in an employment law claim when you have suffered a loss of income as a result of your employer’s wrongful conduct. Lost wages typically include the wages and benefits that you would have earned if they had not been wrongfully terminated, demoted, or subjected to other adverse employment actions. Further, you may also be able to recover front pay, which includes wages and benefits you could have earned in the future had you not suffered a job loss.
- Emotional distress damages – Employment law cases are typically highly stressful and emotional for victims. In order to account for this, employment law claims allow you to recover damages for the emotional and mental harm caused by the employer’s wrongful conduct. These damages may include compensation for anxiety, depression, humiliation, and other emotional distress.
- Attorney fees and costs – If you prevail in your Fresno employment law claim, you may be entitled to recover their attorney fees and costs associated with the litigation.
It’s important to note that the damages available in your particular Fresno employment law claim may vary depending on the specific facts of the case and the applicable laws. Therefore, in order to ensure that you have the best possible outcome, you should consider working with our team of experienced Fresno employment lawyers. We have a proven track record of success in getting our clients the results they deserve.
Our Fresno Employment Lawyers Can Help You
At Maison Law, we take a great deal of pride in our ability to help our Fresno clients get the treatment they deserve under the law. By working with our team of experienced Fresno employment lawyers, we can guide you through the complex process of filing an employment law claim against your employer. This process can be challenging and requires courage and fortitude, but with our team by your side, we can make sure you have the support and guidance you need to be successful. If you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more, contact us today.
