San Diego wrongful termination lawyers
California is an at-will state, but at-will has limits. An employer can let you go for almost any reason, just not an illegal one. When the real reason is discrimination, retaliation, or punishment for using a legal right, the firing is wrongful and you may be owed money.
San Diego County
Representing San Diego employees
From biotech and defense contractors to hotels and restaurants, San Diego employers are bound by the same California protections. Distance from our office doesn't change your rights, and most cases start with a phone call.
Cases here are typically filed in the San Diego County Superior Court, or in arbitration when an employer requires it. That includes workers in San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon.
Reasons a firing becomes illegal
- Your race, age (40+), sex, pregnancy, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or another protected trait played a part.
- You complained about harassment, discrimination, unpaid wages, or unsafe conditions.
- You reported something you believed was illegal, inside the company or to a government agency.
- You took or asked for medical, family, or pregnancy leave.
- You filed a workers' compensation claim or got hurt on the job.
- You refused to do something that would have broken the law.
- You served on a jury, voted, or left for military duty.
- The firing broke a written contract or a clear promise of job security.
Signs worth a closer look
Employers rarely admit an illegal motive, so these cases are built from patterns. Timing matters most: a firing that follows a complaint, a leave request, or a diagnosis within weeks is a red flag.
- Years of good reviews, then sudden write-ups after you spoke up.
- The explanation for your firing keeps changing.
- You were replaced by someone younger or outside your protected group.
- Coworkers who did the same thing weren't disciplined.
- A manager made comments about your age, accent, pregnancy, or health.
What to do this week
- Write a timeline while it's fresh: dates, names, what was said.
- Keep copies of your termination letter, pay stubs, reviews, and texts you're entitled to keep.
- Don't sign a severance agreement until a lawyer has read it. It usually waives your claims.
- Apply for unemployment with the EDD. Doing so doesn't hurt your case.
What you may be able to recover
- Lost wages and benefits from the firing to today
- Future lost earnings while you find comparable work
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Punitive damages when the conduct was malicious
- Attorney's fees and costs under California law
How long you have
Most discrimination and retaliation claims must be filed with the California Civil Rights Department within three years. A claim for termination in violation of public policy generally has a two-year limit. Some deadlines are much shorter, so call early.
Deadlines depend on the facts of your case. The safest move is to call while you still have every option.
How we work
- No win, no fee
- Free consultation
- Available 24/7 by phone
- Hablamos español
Common questions
My employer said it was a layoff. Can it still be wrongful termination?
Yes. A layoff or restructuring can be cover for an illegal reason, especially if you were the only one cut, or the role was refilled soon after.
I was pressured to resign. Do I have a case?
Possibly. If conditions were made so intolerable that a reasonable person would quit, California treats it as a constructive discharge, which is handled like a firing.
They offered me severance. Should I take it?
Have it reviewed first. Severance agreements almost always include a release of claims, and the amount offered is often far below what a claim is worth.
Other practice areas
Wrongful termination in other regions
Talk to someone today. The consultation is free, and so is the call.
(424) 234-5229