Torrance FMLA Lawyer

Torrance FMLA Attorney

Located just south of Los Angeles, Torrance is home to many large employers, like the Western Museum of Flight or the collection of hotels along the One or the 107 highways. Under the FMLA (a federal piece of legislation) and the CFRA (a state act), certain employees are protected from mistreatment and violations by their employers when seeking family and medical leave. If your rights have been violated, a Torrance FMLA lawyer is here to help you.

Shirazi Law Firm, PC: Protecting Your Rights to Family and Medical Leave

For years, Shirazi Law Firm, PC, has stood out as a legal force in the employment law field. We have handled thousands of cases and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Named Super Lawyers for the last 10 years, we are here to review your case, determine the amount of compensation to which you are entitled, and fight aggressively for your rights. Whatever your FMLA or CFRA case involves, our team is here to support you.

Your Rights to FMLA in Torrance

Individuals across the U.S. have used their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) over 500 million times since its inception. This demonstrates how needed this legal protection is and how quickly our lives and employment circumstances can change. You may be entitled to seek up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work for the following reasons:

• You are providing in-home care to a loved one who has suffered a severe medical condition.
• You yourself have suffered a severe medical condition, and you need time off to care for yourself.
• Your family has gained a new addition through birth, adoption, or foster care, and you need time off to bond with the new child.
• Your family member is active in the military and is being deployed to a foreign country.

Seeking Compensation for an FMLA Violation

Of the approximately 966 FMLA complaints that were filed in 2020, 48% were identified as an actual violation. In these cases, you may be able to seek certain forms of compensation, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. At Shirazi Law Firm, PC, we have experience obtaining the following forms of compensation for our clients:

• Economic damages. If you have been illegally fired, you are entitled to seek the benefits and wages you have lost due to this violation. It is important to keep in mind that under the FMLA and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), you are allowed to take unpaid leave, so you will not be able to seek compensation for lost wages if you were not going to earn them in the first place. However, if you were fired once returning from leave, you may seek lost wages.
• Legal fees. The defendant in your case, typically your employer, may be held liable for all legal fees you have collected in order to bring your case forward. When you hire a lawyer from Shirazi Law Firm, PC, we can handle your case and work to ensure it costs you nothing and that your at-fault employer foots the bill instead.
• Emotional distress damages. This kind of compensation works to cover all the emotional pain and suffering you have dealt with in bringing your FMLA or CFRA case against your employer or due to their retaliation against you. This number can often add significant compensation to your overall claim.
• Job reinstatement. If you were illegally fired and want your job back, your attorney from Shirazi Law Firm, PC, can help you fight to have your job reinstated. However, this is a rare occurrence, as many employees, understandably, do not want to return to work for an employer who harmed them or violated their due rights.
• Approval for leave. If your employer did not allow you legitimate leave under FMLA or CFRA in good faith, your employer may be compelled to grant the leave and meet all the necessary legal requirements for you in your case.
• Punitive damages. On top of any economic or non-economic damages, like emotional distress, your employers may be held liable for certain punitive damages in order to punish them for any particularly egregious behavior. Punitive damages can add significant value to your claim.

FAQs About Torrance, CA FMLA Laws

What Is an Example of an FMLA Violation?

There are many different examples of FMLA violations that can take place in Torrance. These include the termination of your employment while you are on leave, terminating you upon your return in connection with your leave, changing the terms and conditions of your employment upon your return—such as decreasing your pay—and terminating your employment once you file an official violation complaint.

What Is My Employer Obligated to Provide Under FMLA?

Under FMLA or CFRA, your employer is entitled to provide you with up to a total of 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family or medical reasons. They are also obligated to maintain your health insurance benefits during this time, maintain your seniority, and return you to the same employment position or one that is similar once you return from leave.

Can My Job Fire Me for Using FMLA?

No, it is illegal for your employer to fire you because you simply exercised your legal rights under FMLA. You are protected to take a certain amount of time off for qualifying reasons. While you are on this leave, your job is legally protected, but if your employer makes changes or lets you go for no reason, you have the right to seek compensation under the FMLA.

How Can an Employment Lawyer Help Me With FMLA?

When you are facing an issue regarding FMLA, an employment lawyer is here to help. An employment lawyer can explain to you your legal rights under both FMLA and CFRA, review your situation, and determine whether or not your rights were violated, and, if it is determined that you were retaliated against or fired for using FMLA, your attorney can get you your rightful compensation.

Hire an FMLA Lawyer in Torrance Today: Contact Shirazi Law Firm, PC

If you were denied your rightful FMLA or CFRA leave, you have rights. Additionally, if you lost your job because of exercising this right or were faced with retaliation at work, you most likely are entitled to compensation.

At Shirazi Law Firm, PC, we are here to protect your rights and put an end to this unlawful and harmful behavior. Contact our offices today to learn more about your rights under FMLA and CFRA and schedule an initial consultation with our team.