Partner With the #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Hollywood: Starpoint Law

The thrill of pregnancy is all too often overshadowed by discrimination in the workplace. It can be as subtle as uncomfortable comments lobbied your way, or as blatant as wrongful termination. 

Whatever the case, it can interfere with your pregnancy or with the next chapter in your life with your growing family. The good news is you have plenty of rights under California and Federal law, and our seasoned pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Hollywood are here to help.

We have the experience, compassion, and proven success to guide you through this process. Don’t go down quietly if you feel as if you’ve been treated unfairly in the workplace. A free consultation with a trusted pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Hollywood is a click away!

Overview of Pregnancy Discrimination Law in Hollywood, California

Pregnant employees in California are fortunate enough to have some of the strongest legal protections in the nation. These include:

California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

It’s illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical condition. Pregnant employees are to be treated equally and given reasonable accommodations to continue working safely.

Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)

Employees are entitled to up to four months of job-protected leave if they’re disabled due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This leave can be taken intermittently or all at once. Your employer must maintain your health insurance during this period, too.

California Family Rights Act (CFRA)

You also get up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for bonding with a new child or recovering from childbirth. CFRA leave is separate from PDL, which means pregnant employees can take PDL first, then CFRA, for a combined leave of up to seven months!

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)

This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Employers must treat pregnancy-related conditions the same as other temporary medical conditions in terms of accommodations and benefits.

Reasonable Accommodations Under State and Federal Law

Both FEHA and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees. These accommodations might include modified work duties, flexible scheduling, extra breaks, or access to ergonomic equipment.

Tips on Filing a Claim for Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

If any of the laws above have been encroached upon in the workplace, pregnancy discrimination has occurred. 

You might feel overwhelmed at the idea of taking action, but it’s actually far less convoluted and stressful than you might think - you just need the right pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Hollywood! Here are some of the next steps you should take:

  1. Document Everything: You’ll need detailed records showing discrimination or unfair treatment took place to prove wrongdoing. This could entail dates, times, and locations of the incidents, names and titles of those involved, and emails, messages, or verbal statements showing discriminatory behavior.
  2. Request Accommodations in Writing: Any accommodations you request should be made in writing, via email, text, or a paper document (that you have a copy of). You should include supporting documentation from your doctor. This creates a paper trail in case your employer denies your request or retaliates.
  3. Report the Discrimination Internally: Follow your company’s procedure for reporting workplace discrimination, typically through HR or management. Be clear and specific about what happened and why you believe it was discriminatory. This gives your employer a chance to make it right - but it also goes back to creating a paper trail.
  4. File a Complaint With the Appropriate Agency: If your employer fails to resolve the issue or you’re unsatisfied with the outcome, you can escalate with a formal complaint. State claims can be made with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), while federal claims can be made with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Filing a claim on your own can feel stressful, as you want to get it right the first time around. That’s why we encourage you to partner with a proven pregnancy discrimination attorney in Hollywood to take the guesswork out of the process.

Advice on Proving Pregnancy Discrimination Took Place

Filing a case is one thing, but proving you were discriminated against is another. This is why you need to be so diligent in acquiring evidence throughout the process to show how you were treated unfairly because of your pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition. 

Fortunately for you, our pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Hollywood has done this time and time again with a track record that speaks for itself. Here’s our advice on showing proof of wrongdoing:

  • Establish Your Pregnancy or Related Condition: Provide medical records, doctor’s notes, or communication showing you were pregnant or dealing with a pregnancy-related condition at the time of the adverse action.
  • Demonstrate Adverse Employment Actions: Gather documentation showing your employer took negative actions, such as wrongful termination, demotion, denial of accommodations, or changes in job duties, soon after learning about your pregnancy.
  • Identify Discriminatory Patterns or Behavior: Statements from supervisors, inappropriate remarks, or documented comments indicating bias can help prove intent. Compare your treatment to that of other employees who were not pregnant to show unequal treatment.
  • Collect Witness Testimonies: Co-workers who observed discriminatory behavior or heard biased remarks can provide valuable support to your claim.
  • Timeline of Events: Create a clear timeline of events linking your pregnancy disclosure or request for accommodations to the adverse actions that followed. 

Again, this isn’t something you need to figure out on your own. Leave it to the legal professionals at Starpoint Law - connect with a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Hollywood today!

Is There a Time Limit to Take Action?

Understanding the statutes of limitations for taking legal action in pregnancy discrimination cases can prevent you from missing the opportunity to pursue justice. The specific timeline depends on which rights were violated.

For example, FEHA complaints must be filed with the CRD within three years of the discriminatory act. Federal claims must be made with the EEOC within 180 days of the violation, or 300 days if state laws come into play.

The quicker you act, the less you have to worry about these. It’s never too early to start working with a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Hollywood if you think you have a case.

What Type of Compensation Can a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Hollywood Help You Claim?

Nothing can undo the emotional damage you’ve faced as a result of discrimination - but you may be entitled to a few different forms of compensation depending on the details of your case. These could include:

  • Lost Wages: Income lost due to wrongful termination, reduced hours, or missed opportunities for promotions or raises.
  • Future Earnings: You may even recover compensation for future lost income if your career path or earning potential has been negatively impacted.
  • Emotional Distress: Damages may be awarded for the stress, anxiety, depression, or humiliation you faced as a result of discrimination. If the stress caused by discrimination led to medical complications, you can claim compensation for these bills, too.
  • Punitive Damages: If the court finds your employer acted egregiously or intentionally, you may be awarded punitive damages to discourage similar behavior going forward.
  • Reinstatement or Policy Changes: If you were wrongfully terminated, you may seek reinstatement to your position. Employers may be required to revise policies or undergo training to prevent future discrimination as well.
  • Legal Fees: Your employer may be ordered to pay attorney’s fees and other legal costs associated with pursuing your case.

Just remember that there’s no way to know what you could be entitled to without us discussing the specific details of your case, as every instance of discrimination is unique. Connect with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Hollywood today!

Why Trust Us as Your Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Hollywood, California?

Starpoint Law specializes in California employment law with a focus on pregnancy discrimination. We know the nuances of federal and state protections and know how to leverage them to build strong cases for our clients.

We treat every client with respect, compassion, and individualized attention. Your story matters, and we’re committed to understanding your unique situation and goals - and helping you reach them.

Whether negotiating a fair settlement or representing you in court, we fight tirelessly to hold employers accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

We also recognize that legal matters can be stressful, so we take steps to simplify things and remain transparent at every step of the journey. You’ll always know where your case stands and what to expect next with us as your pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Hollywood.

If the discrimination you faced didn’t take place in Hollywood, don’t worry. We can serve as your California pregnancy discrimination lawyer no matter where you were discriminated, including:

As an employment lawyer in Hollywood we can also help with other types of issues, whether you need a wage and hour lawyer Hollywood or disability discrimination lawyer Hollywood. We’re in the business of protecting employee rights, no matter how they’ve been violated.

Take the next step today and get a free consultation to discuss your case with a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Hollywood. You deserve justice, and we’re here to see that it’s delivered!