Was I Wrongfully Terminated?
If something felt off about the way you were fired, you may be right. Wrongful termination does not mean your employer made a bad call. It means they fired you for an illegal reason.
California gives workers some of the strongest protections in the country, yet many people with valid legal claims never pursue them because no one told them they could.
At Knez Law Group, our Riverside wrongful termination attorneys have spent over 30 years representing workers, families, and businesses throughout Riverside and the Inland Empire. We can review your situation, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next. Contact us today at 951-742-7681 for a free consultation.
At-Will Employment Has Real Limits
California is an at-will state. Your employer can fire you for no reason, without warning, and without explanation. That is the law.
But here is what the law does not allow: your employer cannot fire you for an illegal reason. That distinction matters more than most people realize.
At-will employment does not shield an employer from liability for firing someone because of race, age, disability, or sexual orientation. It does not protect a company that retaliates against a worker for reporting safety violations. It does not cover a termination designed to punish someone for taking protected leave or filing a complaint.
The law does not care how the paperwork reads. What matters is why it really happened.
Signs Your Termination May Have Been Unlawful
No two situations are the same. But certain patterns recur in wrongful termination cases. It is worth speaking with an attorney if any of the following sounds familiar:
- You were fired shortly after complaining about harassment, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions.
- Your termination came right after a pregnancy announcement, a medical leave, or a request for a workplace accommodation.
- You were fired after refusing to do something you believed was illegal.
- Your employer’s stated reason for letting you go does not match your documented work record.
- You reported illegal activity at your company and lost your job soon after.
- You were the only person disciplined or fired while others in similar situations were not, and you belong to a protected class.
None of these guarantees a claim. But all of them are worth a conversation.
Who Does California Law Protect?
California prohibits employers from terminating workers because of their membership in a protected class. The list is broader than most people expect.
| Protected Class | What It Covers |
| Race & National Origin | Includes ancestry, ethnicity, and country of origin |
| Sex & Gender Identity | Includes pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation |
| Age (40 and older) | Protection for workers 40 years of age and older |
| Disability | Physical and mental conditions, including perceived disability |
| Religion | All religious beliefs and practices, including accommodation requests |
| Medical Condition | Genetic characteristics and serious health conditions |
| Military / Veteran Status | Active duty, reserve, and veteran status |
| Marital Status | Applies to all marital situations |
California also has some of the strongest whistleblower protections in the country. If you were fired for reporting a legal violation to a supervisor or a government agency, for refusing to take part in illegal conduct, or for exercising any right protected by law, your termination may be unlawful regardless of the reason given.
What Wrongful Termination Does Not Cover
Being treated unfairly at work is not the same as being wrongfully terminated. A difficult manager, a policy you disagreed with, or a performance review that felt undeserved are not legal claims on their own. In an at-will state, your employer can let you go for reasons that are simply wrong or unkind, as long as those reasons are not illegal.
Wrongful termination comes down to one question: Was the real reason behind your firing unlawful? That is the line that matters, and that is what a Riverside wrongful termination lawyer will help you evaluate clearly.
The Clock Is Already Running
California law sets strict deadlines on employment claims. Missing them can mean losing your right to file entirely.
If your claim involves discrimination or harassment, you generally have three years to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. Federal claims under Title VII may carry a shorter window. Retaliation claims vary depending on which statute applies.
According to the California Civil Rights Department, thousands of employment discrimination complaints are filed in California every year. Many valid claims go unfiled simply because workers waited too long. Evidence fades. Witnesses move on. Do not let that happen to you.
How the Employment Law Firm Knez Law Group Can Help Riverside Workers
At Knez Law Group, our Riverside law firm has handled employment and civil cases for over 30 years. We know how employers build their defenses. We know how to challenge them. And we understand what workers and families in Riverside face when they take on a former employer.
Most employment cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you. You do not need to be certain you have a case before you call. That is exactly what the call is for.
If something about the way you were fired does not sit right, contact our Riverside office today at 951-742-7681 for a free consultation. You deserve a straight answer.
Andrew J. Knez earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton. During his college years, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and interned at the College Legal Clinic, where he assisted underprivileged communities in obtaining affordable legal services. Mr. Knez credits this experience with fostering his appreciation for the law and its positive impact on society. Additionally, during college, Mr. Knez worked as a paralegal, gaining hands-on experience in civil litigation. Learn more here.