Los Angeles Breach of Employment Contract Lawyer

Breach of Employment Contract & Employment Fraud Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA

Accepting a job with an employer can involve entering into an employment contract, which may detail the terms of employment, the required job duties, and/or the agreed-upon compensation and benefits.

When employers fail to honor the provisions in these contracts, employees can sue for breach of contract. Additionally, if an employer has engaged in fraud during the hiring process or the termination of employment, employees may also have grounds to pursue legal action against employers.

At the Azadian Law Group, PC, our Los Angeles lawyers are experienced at holding employers accountable when they breach employment contracts with and/or commit fraud against our clients. Known for our aggressive legal advocacy and record of success, our attorneys are ready to help you identify and pursue your best recovery options after an employer has:

• Violated your employment contract
• Subjected you to any type of fraud
• Retaliated against you for pointing out – or taking legal action following – breach of contract or fraud.

How Employers May Breach Employment Contracts: Common Examples

Breach of employment contracts can take various forms. Some common examples of these violations include (and are not limited to) employers:

• Dismissing (i.e., laying off or firing) employees before the termination date specified in the contract
• Dismissing employees for grounds not specified in the employment contract
• Failing to pay employees the compensation detailed in the contract
• Failing to provide employees with benefits, including healthcare/retirement benefits and vacation/sick time, as stipulated by the contract
• Assigning employees to duties that violate the terms of the contract.

How Employers May Commit Fraud in Relation to Employees: Common Examples

Similar to breach of contracts, employer fraud related to employees can occur in various ways, only some of which include:

• Misrepresenting the terms of an employment contract and/or the nature of the job related to that contract
• Engaging in workers’ compensation or unemployment fraud, which can occur, for instance, by misreporting an employee’s income (to limit benefit payouts)
• Doctoring payroll records to avoid paying employees the full amount of compensation they have earned
• Committing tax or insurance fraud in relation to employees’ income or coverage.

Here, it’s crucial to note that, when employees stand up for their rights and report any breach of contract or employer fraud, state and federal laws protect them against retaliation from an employer (e.g., a demotion, firing, pay reduction, etc.).

Taking Legal Action For Breach Of Employment Contract In Los Angeles

The specific outcome you may pursue if you file a claim or lawsuit for breach of employment contract in California can vary depending on the nature of the circumstances. Often, though, someone in your position might take legal action to pursue:

• Compensation for back pay and other such lost wages
• Reinstatement to a job if you were terminated for reasons that represent a violation of the terms of your employment contract
• Compensation for pain and suffering and other such damages that don’t have a strict economic value
• Legal fees

To better understand what type of compensation may be available to you, review your case with a Los Angeles breach of employment contract attorney. A member of our team will gladly answer your questions about this topic.

Be aware that holding an employer accountable when they’ve breached a contract doesn’t merely help you. It could serve to protect future employees from similar mistreatment. Essentially, if an employer is forced to pay the price for their misdeeds, they may be less inclined to commit a breach of contract again in the future.

California Is An ‘at-will’ State: What This Means For Your Breach Of Employment Contract Case

California uses the “at-will” system to determine how employers may justify terminating employees. In an at-will state, an employer can fire a worker for any legal reason. Thus, if you’ve been terminated, you may think you automatically don’t have grounds to take legal action.

That’s not necessarily the case. Even in an at-will state, the terms of a contract can impose certain limitations on an employer’s ability to fire you at their own discretion. They include:

• A specified employment term: Sometimes, an employment contract will establish that a worker is to remain employed with a company for a certain period of time. Unless stated otherwise, an employer can only terminate an employee before the end of their stated employment period if the employee willfully committed a breach of duty, habitually neglected their duties, or was unable to perform their duties for a prolonged period of time.
• Specified justification for termination: Some employment contracts specifically establish the reasons an employee may be terminated. They may also require that an employer cite one of these specified reasons when explaining to an employee why they are being let go. If an employer attempts to fire an employee for a reason other than those mentioned in the contract, an employee may have grounds to file a claim.

Those are just two common examples of ways in which the terms of a contract can impact how or why an employer might fire you. For more information about this topic, meet with an expert at a Los Angeles breach of employment contract firm to discuss your case.

Let’s Discuss Your Options for Justice: Contact a Los Angeles Employment Contract Lawyer

If you have been subjected to an employer’s fraudulent actions or breach of contract, contact a Los Angeles employment attorney at the Azadian Law Group, PC, for a free case review to find out more about your options for recovery and justice.

Our experience lawyers exclusively represent employees and, in three years alone, we have recovered more than $30 million for our clients.

Call us at 626-449-4944 or send us an email via this contact form to find out more about how we can help you. If you choose to move forward with us, you will not have to pay us any legal fees until or unless compensation is secured for your case.

Our employment attorneys provide exceptional legal service and representation to people throughout Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, and the state of California.