Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer was probably one of the worst moments in your life, and you are sure to have many questions about how the disease will impact many areas of your life. This includes your job, which you need in order to pay bills and provide for yourself and your family. But jobs also give you a sense of purpose and social connections that contribute to your mental and emotional well-being.
Sadly, negative treatment from your employer can happen when you tell them about a serious medical condition. Have you noticed that your employer is treating you differently compared to your coworkers who do not have cancer? Have you been told that certain job opportunities are no longer available to you? Were you demoted from your job or terminated from your position after coming back from medical leave? These are just some of the ways employers discriminate against workers after a diagnosis of breast cancer. As someone who was subjected to illegal treatment by your employer, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit for monetary damages, such as lost wages, lost job-related benefits, and pain and suffering.
For more information on suing your employer, contact the Los Angeles cancer discrimination lawyers of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation, where you can learn about the legal actions that are available to you.
The Impact of Breast Cancer on Your Job and Career
People in Los Angeles are fiercely ambitious and competitive when it comes to earning a paycheck and advancing in their chosen career. That’s why people are scared and anxious when they find out about a medical diagnosis that can impact their work performance. With cancer, early treatment is the key to achieving remission and staying healthy for as long as possible. That’s why workers typically need a work schedule that allows for medical appointments. At some point, they may need a longer period of time away from work, like several weeks or months.
- What will happen to my job if I am unable to work for a while?
- What if my boss says no when I ask for accommodations, like more flexibility in my schedule or eliminating non-essential tasks?
- Can I be banned from promotions, bonuses, additional training, and other work opportunities because I have breast cancer?
These are some of the questions you may have on your mind as someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer in Los Angeles. It’s essential that you understand your rights as a California employee, as there valuable protections that pertain to your employment rights..
Laws That Protect Employees with Cancer
First and foremost, employees have many legal protections that they can rely on if they develop an illness or injury. For one thing, employers cannot use your disability as a basis for termination, demotion, suspension, denial of accommodations, etc. You may also qualify for up to 12 weeks of medical leave that is unpaid and job-protected. So, your employer cannot punish you for requesting or taking leave to focus on your medical needs. That would constitute workplace discrimination, which is illegal under state and federal laws. Anti-discrimination laws that may be relevant to you include:
- The Fair Employment and Housing Act
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
- The California Family Rights Act
- The Family Medical Leave Act
We can talk about these statutes in more detail during a free case review, which you can schedule by reaching out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can also verify your eligibility for a cancer discrimination claim against your employer and the damages you are entitled to.
Pursuing a Claim Against Your Employer
Do you have the right to seek justice from your employer if you suffered discrimination at your job due to a breast cancer diagnosis? Yes, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from your employer, which you can obtain from a disability discrimination lawsuit. However, you must take certain steps before you can sue your employer through the court system.
Most notably, you must start the process by filing an employment rights violation claim with either: 1) the federal government’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or 2) the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Once your claim is reviewed and investigated by one of these agencies, you may receive a Right to Sue letter. Without this document, you cannot proceed with a lawsuit for workplace discrimination.
So, how can you get the ball rolling on a CRD or EEOC claim? Just contact our law firm and schedule a time to meet with a Los Angeles breast cancer discrimination attorney. Keep in mind that your claim with the employment agency lays the foundation for a successful lawsuit. Once you are given the right to sue, you generally have between 90 to 365 days to file a lawsuit. If you have a lawyer that’s representing you, you can move right ahead with a lawsuit, thereby preventing unnecessary delays that can hurt your case in the long run.
Why You Should Contact Us
There is no disputing that employment lawsuits are complex, prolonged legal actions, especially if you try to handle a disability discrimination claim on your own. That’s why you should obtain legal representation from a California employment attorney are soon as possible, whether you are facing harassment from your supervisor or lost your job after asking for accommodations to help you perform your job duties.
We are committed to fighting for your rights and bringing you maximum payment from a breast cancer discrimination lawsuit. But we also strive to protect your finances along the way, which is why we never ask for a retainer or on-going fees if you choose to hire us. As long as the case is resolved in your favor, your employer pays for the cost of legal services. If we do not secure a settlement on your behalf, you pay us $0 under the terms of the Zero Fee Guarantee.
Since you have nothing to lose, why not take this opportunity to contact us and learn about your rights and legal options? Our legal experts are here to speak with you 24/7, so call us anytime if you were wrongfully terminated or suffered any other type of discrimination because you have breast cancer.
