Employment Discrimination

Modesto Workers’ Compensation Law Firm

In California, employers are not allowed to discriminate against employees with disabilities or who have suffered job-related injuries. This means they cannot retaliate against you or fire you for planning on or actually filing a workers’ compensation claim.

If you are the victim of employment discrimination, wrongful termination, or employer retaliation for seeking workers’ compensation or due to an existing disability, contact Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC right away for a free and confidential consultation. We proudly represent clients throughout the Central Valley.

Call (916) 884-6554 to speak to an experienced Modesto workers’ compensation attorney today about your employment discrimination case.

What Is Disability Discrimination?

In a work setting, disability discrimination can take many forms. Essentially, discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently due to his or her actual or supposed disability.

Some examples of disability discrimination include:

• Treating an individual unfairly in regards to hiring, recruiting, pay, promoting, job training, assignments, benefits, leave, laying off, or firing due to a disability or perceived disability
• Harassment on the basis of an individual’s disability, real or perceived, including hostile work environment harassment
• Failing to reasonably accommodate an employee with physical and/or mental disabilities, thereby hindering the employee’s work
• Creating or allowing a work environment that has significant barriers, physical or otherwise, that prevent a disabled employee from doing his or her work

If you have a disability—whether it is physical or mental in nature—and you are qualified to do your job, you are protected by both state and federal laws against discrimination from your employer. If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, contact our firm to discuss your legal rights and options during a free initial consultation and case evaluation.

Employer Retaliation for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Under California Labor Code 132a, employers are prohibited from discriminating against any employee who is injured at work and who seeks or intends to seek workers’ compensation benefits. In fact, if an employer fires or threatens to fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim, the employer can be charged with a misdemeanor. Additionally, an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider cannot advise your employer to discriminate or retaliate against you for seeking benefits, nor can an employer threaten or take action against another employee who testifies in your case.

Workers’ compensation discrimination is not limited to firing. Some examples of workers’ compensation discrimination include:

• Reduced pay and/or benefits
• Reduced work hours
• Changed work schedule or duties
• Missed promotions
• Threats to report or actual reports of employee’s immigration status
• Hostile work environment
• Wrongful termination

In other words, if your employer discriminates against you in any way because you were injured at work or because you planned to or sought workers’ compensation benefits, you are entitled to take legal action against your employer. You may seek compensation for damages such as lost wages, back pay, job reinstatement, and legal expenses.

Put a Powerful Team on Your Side

Though you are entitled to take action against your employer for employment discrimination, actually doing so can be intimidating. That’s where we come in. At Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC, we are ready to put our 30+ years of experience on your side. Our Modesto employment discrimination attorneys understand how the process works; we know the system and we know how to fight for you and your rights.

We proudly serve clients throughout California's Central Valley. Additionally, we provide our legal services on a contingency fee basis and offer services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Call us today at (916) 884-6554 or contact us online to request your complimentary consultation.