Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer

Being pregnant can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience, especially if you want to continue your professional career in the meantime. Both state and federal law provide you with numerous protections against unfair treatment or harassment at work due to your pregnancy status. Unfortunately, pregnancy-based discrimination occurs in a surprising number of workplaces and can have career-altering consequences for the victims.

If your employer denies you advancement, benefits, or employment based solely on your status as a pregnant woman, a workplace discrimination attorney could help you take legal action. From filing an initial complaint with the appropriate regulatory body to ensuring you receive fair financial compensation for the harm you sustained, our Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer could provide invaluable support from the start to the very end of your legal proceedings.

What Rights Do Pregnant Employees Have Under State Law?

While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not name pregnancy as one of the original five protected classes, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 later established significant protections under federal law for workers who were, are, or could become pregnant. This act prohibits employers from denying employment or work opportunities to prospective or current employees based solely on past, current, or potential future pregnancy. They also cannot engage in or knowingly permit any harassment from managers or other employees based on pregnancy status.

Furthermore, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act both give eligible employees the right to take medical leave to give birth and receive treatment for pregnancy-related health problems without fear of losing their job. The FMLA also gives new mothers—as well as new fathers—the right to medical leave to care for and bond with their newborn baby. If you are in Los Angeles and experience any form of pregnancy-related unfair treatment in the workplace, including infringement on your right to take leave, our attorneys could help you file suit.

Taking Proactive Legal Action Over Pregnancy Discrimination

The process of filing a complaint and pursuing a lawsuit over pregnancy discrimination shares similarities with other types of civil cases. Much like you might seek reimbursement for medical bills and physical pain after a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you could seek restitution for financial and emotional harm caused by mistreatment at work due to your pregnancy. This could include back pay for lost income, interest on delayed compensation, reinstatement if your employer terminated your contract unjustly, and compensation for emotional distress.

However, your claim may differ substantially from a civil case in the early stages of the legal process. You may need to wait for the California Civil Rights Department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission—depending on where you filed your complaint—to conclude an investigation into your claim before you can formally file suit. Guidance from one of our compassionate Los Angeles lawyers could be crucial to understanding your case and how you can proactively enforce your rights after experiencing maternity bias at work.

Contact Our Los Angeles Attorney To Discuss Your Pregnancy-Based Unfair Treatment

Workplace discrimination, including unfair treatment based on pregnancy, is a major issue in every industry and every type of workplace. As capable legal counsel, we could hold your current or former employer accountable for failing to protect you from mistreatment in accordance with their legal obligations, or for directly discriminating against you.

Our Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer could review your case and offer preliminary guidance. Call us today to schedule a confidential consultation.