A Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Sherman Oaks You Can Trust

Pregnancy should be a joyous experience, but unfortunately, employers see it as an inconvenience or even a threat. So many pregnant women in California can relate to being discriminated against. The excitement you once felt is replaced with frustration, fear, and stress. 

Whether it’s being denied reasonable accommodations, excluded from key opportunities, or even wrongfully terminated, discrimination can turn your life upside down. A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Sherman Oaks can help you seek compensation under California and Federal law.

Starpoint Law is honored to stand up for the rights of pregnant employees as the #1 Sherman Oaks employment attorney. Our experienced legal professionals can help you figure out if you have a case and what the potential damages could look like before discussing the next steps. 

A conversation is free, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Know Your Rights as a Pregnant Employee in Sherman Oaks, CA

All too often pregnant employees don’t even realize they’ve been discriminated against until the damage is done. We encourage all expecting mothers to research their rights and be vigilant for the signs of discrimination. 

Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDL)

You are entitled to four months of unpaid, job-protected leave if you’re disabled due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with your employer or how big the company is, either.  

You may take PDL intermittently or all at once, depending on your medical needs. Employers must maintain your health insurance coverage during your leave, too. Most importantly, you’re entitled to return to your original job or a comparable position once your leave ends.

California Family Rights Act (CFRA)

CFRA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for bonding with a new child (through birth, adoption, or foster care) or for recovery after childbirth.

This is a separate protection from PDL, so you technically may be entitled to both for a total of seven months of leave. There are a few qualifications for CFRA. You must:

  • Work for an employer with 5 or more employees.
  • Have worked for the employer for at least 12 months.
  • Have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months prior to taking leave.

If you believe your rights have been violated under the CFRA, an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Sherman Oaks can help discuss the next steps. 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

This federal law mandates employers must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying employees to care for a newborn or recover from childbirth. FMLA leave can run concurrently with CFRA but cannot be used at the same time as PDL.

Eligibility for FMLA requires you to have worked for an employer with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius for at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. 

Reasonable Accommodations

You also gain certain rights for reasonable accommodations under both California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). 

These acts require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees when requested, contingent on medical documentation supporting the request - for example, a doctor’s note. Here are a few examples of the accommodations you can request:

  • Modifying work duties to avoid heavy lifting or physical strain.
  • Providing additional breaks for rest, bathroom use, or hydration.
  • Allowing time off for medical appointments or recovery.
  • Providing a chair, ergonomic support, or access to a safe workspace.

Employers who fail to work with you on identifying accommodations that allow you to continue working safely and effectively are violating your rights. Denying accommodations or retaliating against you for requesting them is illegal. 

The Toll That Pregnancy Discrimination Can Take

Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace does much more than impact your career. It can have far-reaching effects on your emotional, financial, and physical well-being at a time when you need more support than ever before. 

Financial Challenges

Wrongful termination, demotions, or denied opportunities can lead to lost wages, reduced income, and mounting bills during a time in which financial stability is among your biggest concerns. 

This creates stress and uncertainty for expecting families, leaving them unsure of how they’ll provide for their growing family.

Emotional and Mental Strain

Anxiety, depression, frustration, and feelings of isolation are common responses to unfair treatment. The stress caused by workplace discrimination may even lead to complications in pregnancy or a delay in recovery after childbirth. 

No expecting parent should have to endure this emotional burden when their focus should be on their health and their family. This is why we’re always eager to take the lead as your pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Sherman Oaks. 

Damage to Career Growth

Discrimination can limit opportunities for advancement, skill development, or important projects. Employers who sideline pregnant employees based on harmful stereotypes or biases can harm your professional reputation and future earning potential. 

In saying all this, pregnancy discrimination can have a multitude of implications, some of which can lead to a snowball of other issues. This begs the question, what sort of compensation can a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Sherman Oaks help you earn?

What Compensation Can a Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Sherman Oaks Help You Claim?

Discrimination against pregnant employees or those who have just recently given birth is a serious matter, one where the stakes can be quite high. You could be entitled to financial compensation for the harm you’ve experienced, including:

  • Lost Wages and Benefits: If you were wrongfully terminated, demoted, or denied opportunities because of your pregnancy, you can recover the income and benefits you would have earned - including back pay and future wages!
  • Emotional Distress Damages: The stress, anxiety, or depression you’ve dealt with can be compensated financially as well.
  • Punitive Damages: Egregious or intentional employer conduct may be subject to punitive damages as a way to deter similar behavior in the future.
  • Reinstatement or Policy Changes: You may request reinstatement to your former role or require changes to company policies to prevent future discrimination against others - if you want to continue working for your employer, of course.
  • Attorney’s Fees and Legal Costs: Your employer may be required to cover your attorney’s fees and court costs.

Every case is unique, and the compensation you’re eligible for depends on the specific details of your situation. The only way to know for sure what’s possible is to connect with a qualified pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Sherman Oaks. Get in touch with our pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Sherman Oaks for a free assessment of your case.

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Pregnancy Discrimination?

The last thing you want to do is wait too long and risk missing out on the window of opportunity to seek compensation for the damages of pregnancy discrimination. The statute of limitations will depend on the specific rights that have been violated. For example:

  • FEHA Violations: File a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years of the discriminatory act.
  • PDA Violations: File a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the discrimination. This deadline extends to 300 days if state or local laws also apply.

Retaliation or wrongful termination claims fall under the same statute of limitations as discrimination claims. The best avenue is letting a seasoned pregnancy discrimination attorney in Sherman Oaks look over your case to figure out how quickly you need to pursue legal action. 

How Do I Win a Pregnancy Discrimination Case in Sherman Oaks, California?

You might assume that winning a pregnancy discrimination case in California is impossible, but it’s actually fairly simple and straightforward - you just need the right pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Sherman Oaks. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Establishing Your Protected Status: We’ll show you were pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or dealing with a pregnancy-related medical condition at the time of the discrimination using medical records, doctor’s notes, or other documentation.
  • Demonstrating Adverse Action: We’ll prove your employer took adverse action against you, be it wrongful termination, denial of accommodations, demotion, or harassment. Evidence like termination notices, pay stubs, or written communication will be critical.
  • Linking the Discrimination to Your Pregnancy: We’ll connect your pregnancy to the adverse action. For example, denial of promotion or suddenly being treated differently after revealing your pregnancy are obvious instances of discriminatory intent.
  • Gathering Evidence: Strong evidence can include emails, texts, or verbal statements from supervisors. It might also involve witness statements from coworkers, documentation of company policies that were unfairly applied to you, or performance reviews showing your work was satisfactory before the discrimination occurred.
  • Countering Employer Defenses: Employers may claim their actions were based on “legitimate business reasons.” We’ll challenge these defenses and show that pregnancy, not performance or other excuses, was the true reason for the adverse treatment.

There are a number of ways it could go from there. In a best-case scenario, your employer will be willing to settle outside of court for a swift, convenient resolution. 

Be clear, though - our pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Sherman Oaks are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight on your behalf until justice is served.

Take the Next Step With the #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer in Sherman Oaks: Starpoint Law

Our team of experienced attorneys in Sherman Oaks is ready to fight for your rights, hold your employer accountable, and help you secure the compensation you deserve. We’re the most trusted California pregnancy discrimination lawyer in the entire region, including:

Whether you’re seeking a wage and hour lawyer Sherman Oaks or a disability discrimination lawyer Sherman Oaks, Starpoint Law can ensure a favorable outcome. From the free consultation onward, you’re kept in the loop and know what to expect each step of the way. 

The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Contact us today for a free consultation, choose us as your pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Sherman Oaks, and let us guide you toward justice and peace of mind.