Orange County Employment Lawyers Representing First Responders
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Strong representation when the employers of first responders discriminate, harass, and retaliate
Cities across Orange County, including Anaheim, Fullerton, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana, rely on local and county police departments, fire departments, paramedics, and many other first responders to keep their communities safe. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies protect residents from thefts, violence, and other crimes – and help us when accidents and disputes occur. Firefighters risk their lives to save ours and our property. EMTs, paramedics, and other medical providers rescue us when there are emergencies.
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our family of lawyers protects all types of first responders when their rights are violated, such as when discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for asserting employee rights occurs. We demand that workers across Orange County who come to our aid be judged based on their abilities and not their appearances. Our Orange County first responder lawyers also fight for workers when employers wrongfully terminate them, refuse to pay their wages, or fail to comply with employee executive compensation and collective bargaining agreements.
We’ve obtained more than $150 million for first responders across California. Call us today to assert your civil rights and employee rights. Our lawyers are ready to help you today.
Quick questions
- What is employment discrimination in Orange County?
- When can first responders file a sexual harassment or any other type of harassment claim in Orange County?
- What can I do if my employer retaliates against me?
- What types of employment claims for Orange County first responders do you handle?
- Who qualifies as a “first responder?”
- What laws protect first responders who have employment claims in Orange County?
- How do you advocate for first responders when employers deny their rights?
- What damages can first responders receive in California for employee rights violations?
- Do you have an Orange County first responder employment lawyer near me?
What is employment discrimination in Orange County?
Our Orange County employment lawyers have 35 years of experience fighting for first responders. One of the major types of employment claims we handle is discrimination claims.
The two core requirements of a discrimination claim are the following:
Protected class status
You must be a member of a protected class to file a discrimination claim. Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act include the following protected classes:
- Race, color, and national origin;
- Religion;
- A physical or mental disability;
- Age – 40 or older;
- Sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions);
- Gender identity and gender expression;
- Sexual orientation;
- Medical or genetic condition;
- Marital status; and
- Veteran or military status.
Adverse employment conditions
These conditions occur when a police department, fire department, court, water authority, or any other employer of first responders:
- Terminates your employment;
- Denies a promotion;
- Does not consider your job application;
- Gives other workers in your job category better assignments:
- Fails to educate or train you;
- Fails to provide reasonable workplace accommodations if you have a disability or you are pregnant;
- Moves you to an undesirable location:
- Reduces your pay and/or benefits; and
- Other adverse employment actions.
When can first responders file a sexual harassment or any other type of harassment claim in Orange County?
According to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (CFEHA), all first responders, including employees, independent contractors, applicants, volunteers, and unpaid interns, have the right to be free from sexual, gender, racial, or any type of protected-class harassment at work. Generally, CFEHA requires that large Orange County employers provide sexual harassment training for all their supervisors.
If you belong to a protected class, you can typically file a workplace harassment claim if offensive behavior (verbal comments and physical conduct) creates a “hostile work environment” – an environment where you reasonably feel abused or uncomfortable or are unable to do your job. First responders can file a harassment claim even if the harasser is focusing on another person.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment claims involve the creation of a hostile work environment. Examples of offensive conduct include sexual advances, words, images, touching, leering, and other sexual behavior.
Another type of sexual harassment is called “quid pro quo harassment.” This type of sexual harassment occurs when an employer or someone in a position of authority conditions your employment on sexual advances or sexual favors.
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination.
What can I do if my employer retaliates against me?
There’s no justification for retaliating when first responders assert their rights. At McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, our employment lawyers file lawsuits against police departments, fire departments, and other Orange County employers of first responders if they try to intimidate you or punish you for asserting your rights.
Retaliation includes adverse employment actions if you assert any legal right, including:
- Filing a discrimination or harassment claim;
- Disclosing fraud and/or filing a whistleblower claim;
- Filing a worker’s compensation claim;
- Requesting medical leave; and
- Supporting or testifying in another worker’s employee rights claim.
Many of the employment cases in which we’ve obtained high verdicts (some for $1 million and higher) involve a combination of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims.
What types of employment claims for Orange County first responders do you handle?
At McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, our team handles the following employment claims, among others:
- Discrimination
- Harassment (racial, sexual, disability, and other types)
- Retaliation
- Wrongful termination
- Executive compensation noncompliance
- Collective bargaining agreement noncompliance
- Wage and hour complaints
Executive compensation generally includes written contracts for managers, supervisors, and employees with special skills. The disputes we handle often involve salary, severance pay, insurance, accrued leave and vacation, stock options, retirement benefits, and other benefits.
Who qualifies as a “first responder?”
At McNicholas & McNicholas LLP, our lawyers represent every type of first responder, including:
- Law enforcement
- Police officers;
- Sheriff’s deputies;
- Corrections officers;
- Security personnel;
- SWAT members;
- Drug officials;
- Firefighters;
- EMTs, paramedics, and medevac operators;
- Park rangers;
- Court officers;
- Dispatchers;
- Public works employees;
- School resource officers; and
- Certain telecommunication workers.
What laws protect first responders who have employment claims in Orange County?
The main California laws that protect first responders are:
- California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (CFEHA)
- California Family Rights Act; and
- California False Claims Act.
The federal laws that provide protection include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act(ADEA);
- The Federal False Claims Act;
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act;
- The Trauma Treatment Act;
- The Equal Pay Act (which requires that women and men receive equal pay for equal work);
- The Family and Medical Leave Act, and
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
How do you advocate for first responders when employers deny their rights?
We file civil rights (discrimination, harassment, and retaliation) and employment claims with the appropriate agencies and courts, which include:
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
- The California Civil Rights Department (CCRD).
- The Superior Court of Orange County
- The Southern Division of the Central District of California.
We can explain your rights, answer your questions, and guide you through each step of your employee rights claim. Our Orange County first responder lawyers use federal and California laws (and any Orange County laws), collective bargaining agreements, and executive compensation agreements to assert your rights.
We thoroughly prepare each part of your case, which includes questioning employers, supervisors, co-workers, and anyone who has knowledge about your complaint. Our employment lawyers also formally request all the documents that affect your work history. We also work with statistical experts, financial experts, and other experts when necessary.
Our attorneys are seasoned negotiators. We are also skilled trial lawyers who have tried hundreds of cases to verdicts.
What damages can first responders receive in California for employee rights violations?
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we work to compensate you for all your financial and personal damages. We demand the following damages, depending on your type of claim:
- Back damages, which include your income and work benefit losses to date
- Front damages, which include your future income and work benefits losses
- Emotional trauma and loss to your reputation
- Legal fees and court costs
- Interest
- Statutory damages
- Wage and hour benefits
- Executive compensation and benefits
We may also seek punitive damages if the circumstances warrant them.
Our Orange County first responder lawyers also seek injunctive orders that direct your employer to reinstate you, promote you, provide reasonable workplace accommodation, and other remedies. A court may also require that your employer create policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Do you have an Orange County first responder employment lawyer near me?
McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP meets first responders at our Orange County office located at 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, 90024. Our lawyers discuss cases by phone and through online video consultations.
You protect Orange County. Our lawyers are ready to protect you.
Talk with our accomplished Orange County first responder employment lawyers today
At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our lawyers have earned the respect of many different first responders across California. We file claims throughout the state, including the cities of Orange County. When you are wronged by your employer, you can put your trust in our experienced legal team to help you move forward. Call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a consultation. We are ready to assert your rights.
List of agencies we are suing or have sued
- Berkeley Fire/CoB (Non LEO)
- Berkeley PD
- Chula Vista PD
- City of Richmond (Non-LEO/Employment)
- Contra Costa Sheriff (Non-LEO/Employment)
- Culver City PD (Non-LEO)
- El Monte PD
- El Segundo PD
- Fremont PD
- Huntington Beach PD
- LA Co Sheriff
- LAFD
- LAPD
- LAWA
- Palo Alto PD
- Pomona PD
- Redondo Beach PD
- Riverside PD
- San Diego PD
- San Joaquin County Sheriff
- Santa Barbara County Sheriff
- Shasta County Sheriff
- Ukiah PD
- Walnut Creek PD
- Willits PD