Can I Sue My Employer for Firing Me Under False Accusations in California?

California’s labor laws provide strong protections for its employees. This includes providing various avenues for filing a complaint against an employer if you are a victim of wrongful termination. The answer to the question, “Can I sue my employer for firing me under false accusations in California?” may be somewhat complex.

How Do You Defend Yourself From False Accusations At Work?

Disputes can arise between employees and their employers in many ways, and some of these interactions will end with an employee’s termination. California’s “at-will” employment law provides broad leeway for employers to fire employees. The at-will law allows an employer or an employee to end a working relationship at any time, with or without prior notice and with or without citing a specific reason. However, this law does not permit employers to terminate employees for illegal reasons.

One termination dispute that might arise is a firing based on a false accusation. For example, one employee accuses another employee of committing an offense they did not commit, and the supervisor fires the accused without investigating the allegation. While unfair to the accused, this would technically be a legal firing under California’s at-will employment law. The only exception to this would be if an employer used a false accusation as a cover to fire the employee for an illegal reason.

A wrongful termination case can seem very difficult to prove, especially one pertaining to false accusations against the terminated employee. These cases often require obtaining and cross-referencing statements from various parties involved in the situation. If you are unsure whether you have grounds for a wrongful termination claim in California, it’s important to consult an experienced employment lawyer.

False Accusations and Employment Discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) of the United States is responsible for enforcing the fair employment laws of the US across all industries. Employers must also abide by various state-level regulations regarding employees’ rights in California. If you have recently lost your job due to a false accusation, you may not have a case against your employer unless you can prove they violated EEOC regulations in your firing.

Proving discrimination is often challenging, and an experienced employment lawyer must carefully review the details of their client’s case to help them determine their best legal strategies. Successfully holding your employer accountable for your firing will likely require proving the employer had an unlawful discriminatory reason for firing you and used the accusation in question as a convenient excuse.

Your attorney may help you prove that the false accusation against you was blatantly fictitious or that you were never provided any opportunity to defend yourself. They will also need to obtain evidence proving the real discriminatory intent behind your firing.

Your attorney may want to speak with current and former employees of the employer in question. These parties may have overheard the employer state their true intentions behind a recent firing or expose past workplace discrimination incidents. Ultimately, these cases can be tough to win, but a claimant may have more opportunities to build a case than they initially expect if they have reliable legal counsel advising them.

How Do I Sue My Employer?

If you can prove your termination was wrongful, you must submit a claim to the EEOC and have them investigate. If the EEOC determines your claim is valid, you will receive a Notice of Right to Sue from the commission; this notice gives you the right to go ahead with a civil action against the defendant named in your complaint. At this time, your employer should seek to settle the matter swiftly. A speedy resolution through settlement negotiations is typically beneficial to both parties. However, some employment disputes regarding wrongful termination may escalate to litigation.

Once you have the support of the EEOC behind your claim, your employment attorney can help you calculate the damages you could potentially obtain from the defendant. Some plaintiffs in these cases seek reinstatement to their jobs and compensation for lost income and benefits.

They may also recover from the emotional distress they experienced. Claimants may also seek compensation for lost income and emotional distress with no desire for reinstatement. Many employment disputes also result in liquidated damages for the plaintiff, typically equal to the economic damages they suffered.

Breaking Down Wrongful Termination in California

Facing the prospect of job loss can be nerve-wracking, and the constant news of layoffs does very little to appease concerns. Adding the fear of wrongful termination to the mix can make your confidence in securing your career and financial future shaky.

As an at-will employment state, California allows both employers and employees to end an employment relationship at any moment and for almost any reason. There are, however, exceptions to this lawful practice, which constitute wrongful termination.

Wrongful termination is the practice of firing an employee for an illegal reason. An employer may not fire you solely based on the following:

• Your status as a member of a protected class, including race, sex, religion, color, national identity, and veteran and disability status.
• Your participation in protected activities, such as reporting discrimination in the workplace and filing a claim against an employer.
• Breach of contract or failure to comply with an implied agreement.
• Your request for benefits you are legally entitled to, including time off, medical leave, or the day off to attend jury duty.

Despite the potential limitations of at-will employment, state and federal laws provide plenty of protections against discrimination and wrongful termination.

Suing Your Employer for Firing You Under False Accusations

Employers who are knowledgeable about California laws may resort to falsely accusing you of poor job performance or other allegations in order to remove you from the company and avoid facing legal consequences. If there is enough evidence to support that the reason given for your firing is false or unfounded, and, instead, your firing was due to an illegal reason, you may be able to sue for wrongful termination.

An allegation of wrongful termination must be proven through either an administrative review of a formal complaint through the appropriate governmental agencies or a complaint filed in a California court.

Steps To Follow if You Were Fired Based on False Accusations

Whether you suspect you have been fired under false pretenses or you have proof that you were a victim of wrongful termination, there are some steps you should take to ensure you can successfully prove your claim in California:

• Consult a Wrongful Termination Attorney: Speaking with a skilled attorney with years of experience in employment-based cases, including discrimination and wrongful termination cases, is an important first step in understanding if your firing constitutes wrongful termination. A qualified attorney can help you file a complaint if you have enough evidence to substantiate your claim.
• Document Evidence of Illegal Actions: Emails, witness testimony, and performance reviews can all be instrumental evidence in demonstrating you were fired illegally. It is important to start documenting any instances of discrimination or any fallout you may have with a colleague, supervisor, or manager that could lead to your firing.
• File a Complaint: You may proceed to file a formal complaint against your employer for wrongful termination if you have enough proof. In this step, it is essential to have the guidance of a skilled wrongful termination attorney to increase your chances of success.

The process of filing a complaint starts with determining which agency your claim should be filed with. Wrongful termination claims can be investigated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), California’s Department of Labor Relations, or the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHEA).

FAQs

Can an Employer Fire You Under False Allegations?

An employer in California has the right to fire you if you are an at-will employee unless there is proof that the decision to terminate your employment was made for an illegal reason. Firing an employee for being a part of a protected class, acting as a whistleblower, engaging in a protected activity, or demanding their employment rights is illegal.

Can I Sue for Being Falsely Accused?

If you were fired on the basis of a false accusation as cover for discrimination, you likely have grounds for a wrongful termination claim. However, you could also file a personal injury claim against your accuser for defamation. If you lost your job, or the accusation was particularly heinous, and you lost standing in your community, you can potentially hold your accuser accountable for reputational damage and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

What Qualifies as Wrongful Termination in California?

Wrongful termination in California is the firing of an employee based on a protected class, for instance, sex, religion, or disability status, because they participated in a protected activity, such as whistleblowing, or because they demanded their employment rights, among other reasons. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, consult an employment lawyer.

What Is the Average Payout for a Wrongful Termination Case in California?

The payout for a wrongful termination case in California depends on the extent of the employer’s illegal actions. Some successful wrongful termination cases can lead to a payout of back wages and benefits or even position reinstatement. In cases where discrimination is proven and a hostile work environment has been documented, the payout for emotional distress may be more substantial.

What if an Employer Lies About Why You Were Fired?

If an employer lies about why you were fired, you may be successful in a wrongful termination case if you are able to prove that the reason for termination is false and that the firing was actually due to an illegal reason. The burden of proof of an employer’s illegal firing practices is on the person filing the complaint.

How Do You Defend Yourself Against False Accusations?

Defending against false accusations often requires producing contradictory evidence that conflicts with the accuser’s claims. There may be more evidence supporting your side of the incident than you initially realize, such as interior security camera footage from your workplace, statements from co-workers and witnesses, or proof that you were not in the area where the incident occurred. Your attorney can advise you on the best strategies available in your case.

What is the Average Settlement for Wrongful Termination in California?

The compensation available in a wrongful termination case hinges on the unique details of the case. Some claimants can claim damages including back pay, front pay, lost value of benefits, attorneys’ fees, and compensatory or liquidated damages equal to the amount of economic damages sustained. They may also have grounds to seek compensation for emotional distress and may receive punitive damages to reflect an employer’s unlawful behavior. The average settlement for wrongful termination in California is roughly $40,000, but every case is different, and you could obtain much more with the help of an attorney.

Filing a Wrongful Termination Case May Be the Right Next Step for You

Regardless of the reason your employer gives for firing you, if you suspect that your termination was due to discrimination or some form of retaliation, you may be entitled to file a wrongful termination case. It is important to know what constitutes illegal firing and what does not, whether you have enough evidence to prove it, and where you need to file your formal complaint.

Succeeding in your wrongful termination case depends on the assistance of a highly qualified wrongful termination lawyer. The Law Offices of Miguel S. Ramirez is equipped to handle complex cases of wrongful termination. We provide compassionate legal representation to the Southern California community on employment law matters. Schedule a consultation with our seasoned legal team to find out more about wrongful termination claims in California.

The Law Offices of Miguel S. Ramirez have the experience and resources you need to approach your wrongful termination case with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a reliable California employment attorney.