Wrongful Termination in Los Angeles

Protecting Your Career When It Matters Most 

If you’ve recently been fired and something about it feels off, you’re not alone. At Ottinger Employment Lawyers, we’ve been helping professionals across Los Angeles stand up to wrongful termination for over 25 years. California has some of the strongest employment protections in the country, but that doesn’t stop employers from crossing the line. When they do, we step in. 

What Is Wrongful Termination?

“Wrongful termination” refers to being fired for reasons that violate California or federal law. While employers in California can generally terminate employees at will, they can’t fire someone for an illegal reason. That includes discrimination, retaliation, or as a way to avoid paying what you’re owed. 

Unlawful firings often fall into one of a few categories: 

Discriminatory Termination 

If you were fired because of your race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other protected characteristic, that’s not just unfair—it’s illegal. Discrimination-based terminations remain one of the most common violations we see, especially in industries like tech, finance, and entertainment, where bias can be subtle but significant. 

Retaliation for Speaking Up 

You have the right to raise concerns about illegal or unethical behavior at work. Whether you reported unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, or stood up for a colleague, your employer cannot punish you for doing so. If they did—by firing, demoting, or sidelining you—you may have a retaliation claim. Retaliation cases are powerful because they strike at the heart of fairness in the workplace. 

Firings That Violate Public Policy 

Some terminations violate broader public values protected by law. If you were let go for taking medical leave, serving on a jury, or refusing to participate in illegal conduct, your firing may have violated public policy. Similarly, if your employer used a termination to avoid paying bonuses, commissions, or other earned compensation, that too may be actionable. 

What to Do If You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated 

Losing your job under suspicious or unjust circumstances is more than a career setback—it can cause serious financial and emotional strain. But you don’t have to accept what happened without question. 

At Ottinger Employment Lawyers, we offer clear, honest guidance about your legal options. We’ll evaluate the circumstances of your termination, determine if your rights were violated, and help you understand whether you have a strong legal claim. If the facts support it, we can pursue compensation on your behalf—whether that means negotiating a settlement, filing a lawsuit, or seeking reinstatement. 

Wrongful termination cases can lead to significant financial recovery, especially when they involve lost wages, future earnings, emotional distress, and punitive damages. But more than that, these cases are about restoring your sense of fairness, dignity, and control. 

Talk to a Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Today 

Not all firings are illegal—but many are. And it’s not always easy to tell the difference without legal insight. Our attorneys understand how to build strong wrongful termination cases. We gather evidence, develop timelines, identify employer misconduct, and help clients document the emotional and financial toll of an unlawful firing. 

Every case is different, but success often depends on how quickly and carefully you act. If you suspect your termination was unjust, we’re here to help you evaluate your next steps with clarity and confidence. 

Contact Ottinger Employment Lawyers for a confidential consultation.