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What It's Like to Work With Pingle Law
Fees, timelines, and how to get started.
Does Pingle Law work on contingency?
Yes, we take employment cases on a basis, so you pay nothing up front and owe no fee unless we recover money for you. Meet our team.
How long does an employment case typically take?
Timelines vary widely depending on whether a case settles or goes to litigation, but many resolve within several months to a couple of years. We'll give you a realistic estimate once we understand your situation.
Will my case go to trial?
Most employment cases settle before trial, but the Law Offices of Corey A. Pingle prepares every case as if it will go the distance, and won't hesitate to pursue litigation if that's what gets you a fair outcome.
Can I still get help if I'm not sure I have a case?
Yes, many people aren't sure whether what happened to them is illegal until they talk to someone. A free case review is a low-pressure way to find out where you stand.
How do I get started with the Law Offices of Corey A. Pingle?
Start with our free, no-obligation case review, or call us directly at (714) 593-2306 to speak with our office.
What if I lose my case?
Because we work on , you owe no attorney fees if we don't recover money for you. We'll be upfront with you from the start about the strength of your case so there are no surprises.
Can I switch lawyers if I already have one?
Yes, you're generally free to change legal representation at any point, though existing fee arrangements with your prior attorney may need to be resolved. We can review your situation and explain what changing counsel would involve.
Do you handle cases outside of California?
We focus on California employment law and represent workers throughout the state, since employment claims are governed by state-specific statutes and deadlines.
What happens after I win or settle my case?
Once a settlement or verdict is reached, funds are typically distributed within a matter of weeks after resolving any liens or costs, and we'll walk you through exactly what to expect at that stage.
Is everything I tell my lawyer confidential?
Yes, communications with your attorney are protected by attorney client privilege once representation begins, so you can speak openly about the details of your case.
Before You Reach Out
The basics of working with an employment lawyer in California.
Do I need an employment lawyer for my workplace issue?
If you believe you were treated unlawfully at work, talking to an employment lawyer costs nothing and helps you understand your options before any deadlines pass. Many employees wait too long to ask, which can weaken an otherwise strong case. Start a free case review to see where you stand.
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer in California?
The Law Offices of Corey A. Pingle handles employment cases on a basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and owe no fee unless we win or settle your case. Your initial consultation is also completely free.
How long do I have to file an employment claim in California?
The varies by claim type, but many California employment claims must be filed with a state agency within one to three years of the incident, and some federal claims require action within just 180 days. Because the clock is already running, it's worth getting your situation reviewed as soon as possible.
What happens during a free case review?
You'll answer a short set of questions about what happened at work, when it happened, and what documentation you have. Based on your answers, we'll tell you whether your situation looks like it's worth a deeper conversation with an attorney, no cost, no obligation. Start yours now.
What should I bring to my first consultation with an employment lawyer?
Bring anything related to your situation, offer letters, performance reviews, emails, text messages, pay stubs, your employee handbook, and a written timeline of events. The more documentation you have, the faster we can evaluate your case. Contact us to set one up.
Can I lose my job for talking to a lawyer?
California law protects employees from retaliation for seeking legal advice about their workplace rights. Consulting an attorney is a , so if your employer takes action against you because you consulted an attorney, that itself may be a separate retaliation claim.
What areas of California does Pingle Law serve?
We represent employees throughout California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Francisco County, and Sacramento County. Learn more about our firm.
What is the first step in filing an employment lawsuit?
The first step is usually a case evaluation to identify which legal claims apply, followed by gathering evidence and, in many cases, filing an administrative complaint with the before a lawsuit can be filed.
Can I afford an employment lawyer if I'm unemployed?
Yes, because we work on you pay nothing up front, so being unemployed does not prevent you from getting legal help.
What is the difference between state and federal employment claims?
State claims are filed under California law and often carry broader protections and longer deadlines, while federal claims are filed under laws like Title VII and may require different agencies and timelines. An attorney can determine which applies to your situation.
Getting Fired, Legally and Illegally
What California law actually allows an employer to do.
Can I be fired without a reason in California?
California is an employment state, meaning an employer generally can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason at all, but not for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or refusing to break the law. See our wrongful termination practice area for more.
What counts as wrongful termination in California?
occurs when you're fired for an illegal reason, such as your race, gender, age, disability, or pregnancy, for reporting harassment, taking approved medical leave, or refusing to do something unlawful. Review our practice areas for the full list.
Can I be fired for taking sick leave?
No. California law protects employees who take legally protected sick leave, and termination or discipline connected to that leave can be considered wrongful.
Can I be fired while on workers' compensation?
Employers cannot terminate you specifically because you filed a workers' compensation claim. Doing so may be considered unlawful retaliation.
What should I do immediately after being wrongfully terminated?
Write down everything you remember while it's fresh, save any documents or messages related to your termination, and avoid signing any severance agreement until it's been reviewed. Then get a free case review to understand your options.
How much is a wrongful termination case worth?
Case value depends on factors like lost wages, emotional distress, how long you were unemployed afterward, and the strength of the evidence. Every case is different, and a free case review is the best way to understand yours.
Can I be fired for a false accusation?
If your employer terminated you based on a false accusation, that alone may not be illegal, but if the accusation was used as a pretext to cover an unlawful motive, such as discrimination or retaliation, it may support a wrongful termination claim.
What is constructive termination?
happens when working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable employee would feel forced to resign, and it can carry the same legal consequences as being fired outright.
Can I sue for wrongful termination if I was a new employee?
Yes, length of employment does not determine whether a termination was legal. Even employees terminated during a probationary period can have valid claims if the reason was unlawful.
Unequal Treatment at Work
Recognizing discrimination and knowing what to do about it.
What is considered workplace discrimination in California?
Discrimination happens when an employer treats you unfairly because of a protected characteristic, including race, sex, age (40+), disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or pregnancy, in hiring, pay, promotion, discipline, or termination. See our discrimination practice area.
Can I be discriminated against for my age?
Yes, age discrimination against workers 40 and older is illegal under both California and federal law, whether it shows up in hiring, layoffs, or being passed over for promotion.
Is pregnancy discrimination illegal in California?
Yes. California law specifically protects pregnant employees from discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations, and pregnancy-related leave is separately protected.
Can I be denied a promotion because of my disability?
No, if you're qualified for the position and can perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, denying you a promotion because of a disability is illegal.
What proof do I need for a discrimination claim?
Useful evidence includes emails, performance reviews, witness accounts, comparisons to how similarly situated coworkers were treated, and a timeline connecting the discriminatory treatment to specific decisions. This kind of documentation can also support a broader if the same treatment affected other employees. Start a free case review to see what you already have.
Where do I file a discrimination complaint in California?
Discrimination complaints are typically filed with California's or the federal before a lawsuit can proceed. Filing generally results in a , which an employee needs before proceeding to court. An employment attorney can help make sure the complaint is filed correctly and on time, reach out before filing on your own.
Can I be discriminated against based on my accent or national origin?
No, treating an employee unfavorably because of their accent, national origin, or ethnicity is illegal discrimination under California and federal law.
Does discrimination have to be intentional to be illegal?
No, some claims are based on policies that appear neutral but have a disproportionate negative effect on a protected group, known as disparate impact.
Can I be discriminated against because of my religion?
Yes, religious discrimination is illegal, and employers are generally required to reasonably accommodate an employee's religious practices and beliefs.
You Deserve a Safe Workplace
What qualifies, and how to protect yourself.
What qualifies as a hostile work environment?
A involves unwelcome conduct, based on a protected characteristic, that is severe or pervasive enough to make your workplace intimidating, offensive, or abusive to a reasonable person. It is different from , where a job benefit is conditioned on submitting to unwelcome advances. Learn more about harassment claims.
Do I have to report harassment to HR before suing?
In many cases, yes, reporting internally first is often required or strongly advisable, and it helps document that your employer had notice and an opportunity to address it. Talk to our office about the right sequence for your situation.
Can I be fired for reporting sexual harassment?
No, firing or disciplining someone for reporting sexual harassment is illegal retaliation, since reporting harassment is a , and it often strengthens rather than weakens a harassment case.
Is a single incident enough to prove harassment?
Usually harassment claims involve a pattern of conduct, but a single incident can be enough if it's severe enough, such as a serious physical threat or act. Get a free case review to find out where yours stands.
What should I do if I'm being harassed at work?
Document everything as it happens, report it through your employer's official channels in writing, and keep copies. If nothing changes, or you face retaliation, talk to an employment attorney about your options.
Can a coworker be held responsible for harassment, not just my employer?
Employers are typically the ones held liable, but the harassing coworker's conduct is what triggers the employer's legal responsibility to investigate and act.
Is offensive language alone considered harassment?
It depends. Isolated offensive comments may not rise to the level of illegal harassment, but repeated or severe conduct tied to a protected characteristic usually does.
What happens if my employer ignores my harassment complaint?
An employer who fails to investigate or address a harassment complaint can be held separately liable for allowing the hostile environment to continue.
Getting Paid What You're Owed
Overtime, breaks, misclassification, and final paychecks.
Am I entitled to overtime pay in California?
Most employees in California are entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, and double pay for hours over 12 in a day. Misclassification as is one of the most common ways employers avoid paying it. See our wage & hour practice area.
What does it mean to be misclassified as an independent contractor?
If your employer controls how, when, and where you do your work the way an employee would, you may legally be an employee, even if you're labeled a "contractor", and entitled to overtime, breaks, and other protections.
Am I entitled to meal and rest breaks in California?
Yes, California law generally requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours and paid 10-minute rest breaks for every 4 hours worked. Missed breaks can entitle you to additional pay.
When does my employer have to pay my final paycheck?
If you're fired, California law requires your final paycheck immediately. If you quit with at least 72 hours' notice, it's due on your last day; without notice, within 72 hours. Late final paychecks can result in a .
Can my employer make me work off the clock?
No, California law requires you to be paid for all time worked, including tasks performed before clocking in, after clocking out, or during unpaid breaks that are interrupted by work.
How far back can I claim unpaid wages in California?
You can generally recover unpaid wages going back up to three or four years, within the applicable , so even older unpaid overtime may still be recoverable. Wage claims affecting multiple employees can sometimes also be pursued under . Find out how much you may be owed.
Can my employer deduct money from my paycheck without permission?
Generally no, unauthorized deductions from wages are illegal in California except in specific, limited circumstances allowed by law.
Am I owed overtime if I'm paid a salary?
Not necessarily. Being salaried does not automatically make you an . Your actual job duties determine whether you qualify for an exemption.
What is a wage statement violation?
California requires employers to provide accurate itemized wage statements each pay period, and failing to do so can entitle you to statutory penalties in addition to any unpaid wages.
Punished for Speaking Up
Retaliation is illegal, even when it's disguised as something else.
What is workplace retaliation?
Retaliation happens when your employer punishes you, through firing, demotion, pay cuts, or a hostile shift in treatment, for engaging in a legally , like reporting discrimination, filing a wage claim, or taking medical leave. See our retaliation practice area.
Am I protected if I report illegal activity at my company?
Yes, California's whistleblower protections shield employees who report violations of the law to a government agency or refuse to participate in illegal activity from retaliation.
Can I be demoted for filing a complaint against my employer?
No, demotion shortly after filing a good-faith complaint is a common form of retaliation and, if the timing and circumstances line up, can support a legal claim. Get a free case review.
How do I prove retaliation happened?
Retaliation cases often rely on timing, a negative action that closely follows your protected activity, combined with a pretextual or shifting explanation from your employer. We can help build that connection.
What if I was retaliated against after signing a severance agreement?
A can't lawfully waive your right to report ongoing illegal conduct or protect an employer from future retaliation claims. If you're facing new retaliation, it's worth having your situation reviewed.
Is a sudden negative performance review after a complaint considered retaliation?
It can be. A sudden drop in performance ratings shortly after a protected complaint, especially without a prior history of issues, is a common sign of retaliation.
Can I be retaliated against for discussing my pay with coworkers?
No, California law protects employees who discuss their wages with coworkers, and punishing you for it can be considered illegal retaliation.
Does retaliation only happen after a lawsuit is filed?
No, retaliation can occur after any protected activity, including internal complaints, requesting accommodations, or reporting safety violations, not just after a formal lawsuit.
Before You Sign Anything
What a severance agreement really asks you to give up.
Should I sign a severance agreement without a lawyer reviewing it?
It's not recommended. almost always ask you to waive your right to sue, and once signed, that waiver is very difficult to undo, even if you later learn you had a strong claim. See our severance review services.
Can I negotiate my severance package?
Yes, severance terms are often negotiable, including the payout amount, benefits continuation, and the language of the itself. Some agreements also include a , which can also be negotiated. Having an attorney review it first gives you leverage you wouldn't have alone.
What am I giving up when I sign a severance agreement?
Most severance agreements require you to sign a , releasing your employer from any legal claims related to your employment, in exchange for a payment. Once signed, you generally can't go back and sue over issues covered by that release.
How long do I have to review a severance agreement?
Federal law generally requires employers to give employees 21 days to consider a (45 days for group layoffs), plus a 7-day period to revoke after signing. Use that time to get it reviewed.
Can I still sue if I already signed a severance agreement?
It depends on how the agreement was written and whether it was properly presented, some severance releases can be challenged if they were signed under pressure or didn't meet legal requirements. Have it reviewed to find out.
Does signing a severance agreement affect my unemployment benefits?
It can, depending on how the severance is structured and paid out. It's worth discussing your specific agreement with an attorney before signing.
Can my employer withdraw a severance offer?
Generally yes, until you've accepted and signed the agreement, an employer can typically modify or withdraw a severance offer.
Is a severance agreement the same as a settlement agreement?
Not exactly. A severance agreement is usually offered at the end of employment, while a settlement agreement typically resolves an existing legal dispute or claim, though both usually involve a .
Accommodations, FMLA, and CFRA
Your rights when you need time off or a workplace adjustment.
What is a reasonable accommodation at work?
A is a change to your job or workplace, like modified duties, equipment, or a schedule adjustment, that lets you perform your job despite a disability, without creating an undue hardship for your employer. See our disability accommodation practice area.
Can my employer deny my request for medical leave?
If you qualify under or , your employer generally cannot deny protected medical leave, and cannot punish you for requesting or taking it. Denials and retaliation are both grounds for a claim.
Am I eligible for FMLA or CFRA leave?
Eligibility for or generally depends on how long you've worked for your employer, how many hours you've worked, and your employer's size. Start a free case review to quickly confirm whether you qualify.
Can I be fired while on approved medical leave?
Generally no, firing an employee for taking legally protected medical leave, or shortly after returning from it, is illegal and often a strong basis for a claim.
What if my employer refuses to accommodate my disability?
If your employer refuses to engage in the or denies a without a valid undue-hardship reason, that refusal may violate California and federal disability law. Get a free case review.
Can my employer require a doctor's note for medical leave?
Yes, employers can generally request medical certification to verify the need for leave, though the specific requirements depend on the type of leave being requested.
What is the interactive process for disability accommodations?
The is a required, ongoing conversation between you and your employer to identify a reasonable accommodation that allows you to perform your job duties.
Can I be denied a job because of a disability I disclosed?
No, refusing to hire a qualified applicant because of a disability, when reasonable accommodation would allow them to perform the job, is illegal discrimination.
Still have a question?
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