Costa Mesa Employment Law Attorney
Costa Mesa Employment Law Lawyer
Costa Mesa is commonly called the capital of the action sports industry, and the area also hosts impressive technology, scientific services, and retail sectors. There are plenty of opportunities for rewarding work in Costa Mesa, but it is possible for anyone to encounter unexpected legal disputes in the workplace, including harassment and discrimination. If this has happened to you, a Costa Mesa employment law attorney can be an invaluable asset.
Experienced Employment Law Counsel in Costa Mesa, CA
The attorneys at the Diefer Law Group have decades of experience handling a wide range of complex employment cases for clients in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas of California. These cases are challenging in many ways. Many employees who face discrimination, harassment, or unfair wage and hour issues are unsure of their legal options in these situations. We can provide guidance and support when your rights as an employee have been violated.
Employment law covers various types of cases, and if you believe you have grounds for a case, it’s vital to find an attorney with proven experience handling cases similar to yours. The Diefer Law Group can listen to the details of your situation and explain the ways we can help you resolve your case.
Workplace Discrimination in Costa Mesa
Many employment disputes in Costa Mesa pertain to various forms of discrimination. This term can apply to any incident in which an employer makes work-related decisions on the basis of an employee’s protected personal characteristics, such as age, race, sex, or medical status.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the anti-discrimination laws of the United States, and any violation of these laws can have serious consequences for the employer.
In 2024, the EEOC processed thousands of charges in California for various types of discrimination. While the most commonly filed complaint was retaliation, with 2,592 cases, there were 1,797 cases alleging racial discrimination and 1,480 alleging sex-based discrimination.
Harassment in the Workplace
“Harassment” is a broad term in employment law that can define any incident in which an employee is targeted on the basis of personal qualities and prevented from performing their job duties. Sexual harassment may involve unwanted sexual remarks, advances, or even unwanted touching, and race-based harassment may include slurs or other remarks intended to degrade, annoy, or frustrate the victim.
Sexual harassment is an unfortunately pervasive issue throughout all industries in the United States. Many victims of this mistreatment are either not fully aware of their rights when it comes to stopping it or are afraid to explore legal action out of fear of losing their jobs. In some cases, sexual harassment can cross the line into criminal activity, and the party responsible will face prosecution alongside their liability for any damages caused to the victim.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Every worker in every industry in California has the right to fair and timely pay for the work they do. Wage and hour disputes could involve minimum wage law violations, unpaid overtime, failure to reimburse business expenses, improperly managed timecards, or any other actions that deprive the worker of fair pay.
Wrongful Termination Cases in Costa Mesa
Most employment in California functions on an at-will basis, meaning both the employer and the employee have the right to terminate their working relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without prior warning. While this law intends to provide flexibility to employees, many decry it as giving employers an easy avenue to fire employees for discriminatory reasons.
A wrongful termination can occur on the basis of discrimination or as retaliation for a legally protected action, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim or an EEOC complaint for workplace harassment. If you believe your recent firing was wrongful, you need to consult a Costa Mesa employment law attorney at your first opportunity.
Filing an Employment Law Case in Costa Mesa
If you experienced any type of discrimination or harassment at work, you would likely need to file an EEOC complaint before you can proceed with a civil lawsuit. A recent study of EEOC trends from the EEOC reported that in 2024, many types of cases increased across the United States.
Racial discrimination charges increased from 27,205 in 2023 to 30,270 in 2024, sex discrimination increased from 25,500 in 2023 to 26,872, and disability discrimination cases increased from 29,160 in 2023 to 33,668 in 2024. Throughout fiscal year 2024, the EEOC recovered more than $700 million in damages for victims of all types of discrimination, which was a 5% increase from 2023.
An experienced Costa Mesa employment law attorney at the Diefer Law Group can guide you through the process of building and filing your case. You must first submit a complaint to the EEOC and/or the California Civil Rights Department. If your complaint is approved, you may be sent a Notice of Right to Sue that allows you to proceed with your civil suit against your employer.
Our firm has recovered many substantial case awards for past clients. We can potentially help you recover compensation for lost income and lost benefits, out-of-pocket expenses like travel costs and legal expenses, and compensation for the emotional distress you have experienced. Some victims of workplace harassment and discrimination also receive liquidated damages and/or punitive damages.
What to Expect From Your Costa Mesa Employment Law Attorney
Confronting your employer with legal action can be a daunting prospect, but the right attorney on your side can help you approach this difficult situation with confidence and peace of mind. We can listen to your story, determine whether you have grounds for legal recourse, and explain the process you must complete to ensure accountability and recover compensation for your losses.
We believe in client-focused legal counsel, so you can expect compassionate and responsive communication from our team through every stage of your proceedings. You have a short window of time in which to build and file your case, so it’s vital to connect with reliable legal counsel right away. Contact the Diefer Law Group today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Costa Mesa employment law attorney.
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