Wrongful Termination Attorney in San Francisco

Losing a job is stressful. Being fired unfairly cuts even deeper.

If you were wrongfully terminated in California, you have rights. But employers rarely admit they’ve broken the law, making it harder to get compensation.

That’s why you need a wrongful termination attorney in San Francisco who can uncover what really happened and hold your employer accountable.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

California is an at-will employment state, meaning an employer can terminate someone for almost any reason — or no reason at all.

But there are limits.

An employer can’t terminate you for an illegal reason, such as:

• Discrimination
• Retaliation
• ‘Whistleblowing’
• Taking protected leave

If they do, it could be wrongful termination.

Here’s the frustrating part: An employer may try to hide why they really terminated you.

They might say:

• “You weren’t a good fit.”
• “Your performance didn’t meet expectations.”
• “We’re moving in a different direction.”

This is where a skilled wrongful termination attorney in San Francisco comes in. They can find out the real reason you were let go and whether it was legal.

Types of Wrongful Termination

A termination might be unlawful if it was based on:

Discrimination

You can’t be terminated because of your race, age, religion, disability, or another protected characteristic. This is covered by laws such as:

• The Civil Rights Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

If you were, your termination may be illegal. We recommend talking to a Bay Area workplace discrimination lawyer as soon as possible.

Remember, discrimination isn’t always obvious, but it’s always against the law.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 88,531 new charges of employment discrimination in the fiscal year 2024 — an increase of 9.2 percent.

Retaliation

You can’t be terminated for standing up for your rights. This includes:

• Reporting discrimination or harassment
• Complaining about unsafe working conditions
• Filing a workers’ comp claim

Whistleblowing

You can’t be terminated for reporting illegal or unsafe practices at work — known as ‘whistleblowing.’ Laws like the California Whistleblower Protection Act keep you safe when you speak out.

Taking protected leave

You can’t be terminated for taking protected medical or family leave under California or federal law. If you were let go for using your leave, your termination might be illegal.

Other reasons your termination might be illegal

You also can’t be terminated for:

• Reporting unpaid wages
• Taking legally required breaks or meal periods
• Filing a complaint with a government agency like the EEOC
• Serving in the military or on a jury

Can You Sue for Wrongful Termination in California?

Not every unfair firing is illegal. However, you might be able to take legal action against your employer if your termination violated:

• California employment law
• Federal anti-discrimination laws
• An employment contract
• An implied promise of continued employment

You may have a claim if:

• You were let go shortly after making a complaint
• Your employer keeps changing their story about why you were terminated
• Other employees doing the same work were treated better than you
• You were terminated after asking for help with a disability or medical condition

Believe you were terminated unlawfully? You may be entitled to recover damages. Call us at (415) 576-1500 to request a free case evaluation.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Wrongful Termination Claim?

It all depends on your circumstances and what led up to your termination, but you could get:

• Lost wages: Any pay you didn’t receive after being terminated
• Lost benefits: Things like health insurance and retirement contributions
• Future earnings: Money you would’ve made if you weren’t terminated
• Emotional distress: Damages for stress, anxiety, or other conditions caused by your termination

In some cases, you may be able to get your job back through a process known as reinstatement.

4 Steps to Take After a Termination

Here’s what to do after being let go from your job:

The sooner you act, the better. If you need to make a claim, there are strict deadlines called statutes of limitations that can prevent you from taking legal action if you wait too long.

How a Wrongful Termination Attorney in San Francisco Can Help

Wrongful terminations are rarely straightforward, especially when employers have legal teams protecting their interests. A Bay Area wrongful termination lawyer can fight on your behalf and increase your chances of securing fair and full compensation.

Stoll & Haynes, which specializes in employment law, can:

• Determine whether your termination was against the law
• Help you collect evidence about your termination
• File a claim for you
• Negotiate a settlement with your employer
• Pursue your case in court, if necessary

With over 30 years of legal experience, Stoll & Haynes fights for the justice employees deserve.

Wrongful Termination Attorney in San Francisco FAQs

Contact a Wrongful Termination Attorney in San Francisco

If you’ve been fired unlawfully, you deserve answers now.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.