Santa Monica Disability Discrimination Lawyer

Trusted Disability Discrimination Attorney in Santa Monica, CA

A Santa Monica Disability Discrimination Attorney Who Spent Years Building the Other Side’s Playbook

You are worried they already have this figured out. That HR built a file on you the moment you mentioned your diagnosis. Their lawyers get paid whether you win or lose. You do not. The paycheck could stop before you even find out if any of it was legal.

Our lead attorney previously built those files for companies. Now he uses that knowledge to protect employees.

Today, our Santa Monica disability discrimination lawyer fights on the worker’s side of the case. Past clients have walked away with settlements their employers never expected to pay. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact us today. We can discuss the details of your diagnosis or leave request, determine whether your employer violated the law, and outline what legal options are available to you.

What Counts as Disability Discrimination for Santa Monica Employees

Disability discrimination rarely shows up as one dramatic moment. It builds through a string of small decisions your employer makes once they know about a medical condition.

Our disability discrimination attorneys represent Santa Monica employees dealing with:

• Termination or demotion after disclosing a disability or serious medical condition
• Denied accommodations, like a modified schedule, remote work, or the equipment you need to do your job
• Retaliation after requesting or returning from medical leave under the FMLA or CFRA
• Harassment connected to a disability, chronic illness, or mental health condition
• Pressure to leave your role while you are still on protected medical leave

You do not have to be left wondering whether you have a claim. Trust our experienced Santa Monica employment discrimination lawyer to help you hold your employer accountable.

What California Law Says About Disability Discrimination

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act covers you if your employer has five or more workers. Under that law, it is illegal for them to fire you, demote you, or deny you a reasonable accommodation because of your disability. Employers generally must make reasonable changes so you can do your job, unless doing so would cause the business a major hardship. If they break it, you may be able to recover your lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, and your attorney’s fees

How Long Do I Have to File an Employment Discrimination Claim?

California law establishes specific time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for pursuing these claims.

• Three years from the date of the discriminatory act to file a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department ( Gov. Code § 12960).
• One year from the issuance of a right-to-sue letter to file a lawsuit in court ( Gov. Code § 12965).

Because these deadlines are strict, acting early is crucial. Contact our California disability discrimination lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights.

This reflects California law as of August 2026.

What Santa Monica Disability Discrimination Cases Have Recovered

Each of these outcomes belonged to one individual employee, not a group, and prior results do not guarantee an outcome in your case.

Answers for Santa Monica Employees Facing Disability Discrimination

Q: Can a disability discrimination lawyer beat my employer’s legal team?

A: Yes, it is possible. Our lead attorney’s background gives the firm real insight here. Before representing employees, he spent years defending companies at some of the largest employment defense firms in the country, so he has a strong sense of how an employer’s legal team may be building their case. Outcomes still depend on the facts of each case, but that experience gives the firm a real advantage in anticipating what an employer’s lawyers are likely to do.

Q: How much does a Santa Monica disability discrimination lawyer cost?

A: Nothing upfront. Disability discrimination cases at the firm are handled on contingency, so there is no bill while a case moves forward and no fee at all unless money is recovered on the client’s behalf. That structure lets workers focus on health and the next job, not on legal costs, while the firm builds the case against the employer.

Q: What court handles disability discrimination cases for Santa Monica employees?

A: Civil cases tied to a Santa Monica address, including employment claims, are typically filed at the Santa Monica Courthouse, 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. This courthouse is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s West District. Filings in this district follow procedures and timelines that a lawyer familiar with this specific courthouse can plan around from day one.

Q: Can I still have a case if I was fired before I ever asked for an accommodation?

A: Yes. Getting fired before you ever formally requested an accommodation does not close the door on a claim. If your disability or medical condition played any part in your employer’s decision, you likely still have a case, and the clock to act starts running on the day you were let go, not the day you asked for help.

Q: My employer says I was fired for a legitimate reason, like a layoff. What now?

A: Your employer is allowed to let you go for a real reason that has nothing to do with your disability, like a genuine layoff that would have happened regardless. The hard part is figuring out which one happened in your case, since employers rarely admit the real reason outright. Reviewing your personnel file, your timeline, and your communications with HR is usually where that answer starts to surface.

Call a Santa Monica Disability Discrimination Lawyer Before the Clock Runs Out

No employee has to go up against an employer’s legal team alone, and no one should have to accept losing a paycheck because of illness or injury. Contact Shirazi Law Firm today for a free, confidential case evaluation, available virtually. Cases are handled on contingency, so there are no attorney’s fees unless the firm recovers money.