Pregnancy should be a time of excitement, not a reason to fear losing your job. If your employer has fired you, demoted you, denied your leave, or treated you differently because you are pregnant, you are not alone, and you have legal options.
A Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP represents employees across LA County who have been punished at work for starting or growing their families.
California gives pregnant employees some of the strongest protections in the country. When employers ignore those protections, our attorneys step in. We approach every case with the genuine compassion and legal focus you deserve, fighting tirelessly to recover what you've lost.
Call (855) 255-5515 or (213) 334-7000 to speak with a pregnancy discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP.
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer?
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal in California, but it still happens more often than most people think. Employers hide it behind excuses like restructuring, performance concerns, or budget cuts. A Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP sees through those excuses and builds a case around what actually happened.
Your Employer's Story Will Not Match Yours
When you announce a pregnancy or request leave, the dynamic at work can change quickly. Suddenly, your performance reviews change, your responsibilities shrink, or your position disappears. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP examines the timeline and the evidence to show that your pregnancy, not your performance, drove those decisions.
California Law Is on Your Side
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code § 12900 et seq.) prohibits pregnancy discrimination by any employer with five or more workers. Federal law, through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, adds another layer of protection for employers with 15 or more employees.
FEHA treats pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions as protected categories. That means your employer cannot fire you, refuse to hire you, demote you, or take any adverse action because you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or recovering from childbirth.
What Leave Protections Do Pregnant Workers Have in Los Angeles?
California provides multiple overlapping leave laws that protect pregnant employees. Your pregnancy discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP determines which ones apply and makes sure your employer honors them.
Pregnancy Disability Leave Covers Up to Four Months
California's Pregnancy Disability Leave law (PDL, Gov. Code § 12945) provides up to four months of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. PDL applies to employers with five or more workers and has no minimum length-of-service requirement.
That means you qualify for PDL from your first day on the job. Your employer must also maintain your health insurance during leave and return you to the same or a comparable position when you come back.
CFRA Adds 12 Weeks of Bonding Time
After PDL ends, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA, Gov. Code § 12945.2) provides an additional 12 weeks of leave to bond with your new child. CFRA leave is separate from PDL and does not run at the same time.
Combined, PDL and CFRA can provide up to roughly seven months of protected leave. CFRA requires 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours worked in the prior year.
Reasonable Accommodations Are Required
Even if you do not need full leave, your employer must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions. That can include modified duties, more frequent breaks, a temporary transfer to a less strenuous role, or schedule adjustments. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP makes sure your employer meets this obligation.
What Are Some Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination in a Los Angeles Workplace?
Pregnancy discrimination takes many forms. Some are obvious, while others are disguised as routine business decisions. Your Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer looks for patterns that reveal the real motive behind your employer's actions.
Common examples of pregnancy discrimination include:
- Firing or laying off an employee shortly after she announces a pregnancy
- Denying a promotion or raise because of pregnancy or planned maternity leave
- Pressuring an employee to take leave earlier than medically necessary
- Reducing responsibilities, cutting hours, or reassigning duties after a pregnancy announcement
- Refusing to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions
- Making negative comments about pregnancy, parenting, or family planning in the workplace
These situations are common across industries in Los Angeles, from corporate offices in Downtown LA and Century City to retail and hospitality jobs in Hollywood, the Westside, and the San Fernando Valley. A pregnancy discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP connects the evidence to your protected status and builds the strongest possible claim.
What Compensation Can a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney Recover?
California does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in most FEHA cases. That gives juries full discretion to award what your situation warrants. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP documents every category of harm. Your damages may include the following:
- Back pay for lost wages, bonuses, and benefits
- Front pay for future earnings when returning to the employer is not realistic
- Compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, and harm to your career
- Punitive damages when the employer acted with malice or willful disregard
- Attorney's fees and litigation costs
You can also review our case results to see the outcomes Greenberg Gross LLP has achieved in high-stakes employment cases. Our attorneys pursue every available form of recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim in Los Angeles?
California's SHARE Act (AB 9) provides three years from the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Your attorney can request an immediate right-to-sue notice and move to court quickly.
Once the CRD issues that notice, you generally have one year to file a lawsuit. Federal claims through the EEOC require filing within 300 days. These deadlines are strict, and contacting a Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination lawyer early gives your legal team the time it needs to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
Why Los Angeles Employees Trust Greenberg Gross LLP With Pregnancy Discrimination Cases
Pregnancy discrimination cases are personal. You are dealing with one of the most important transitions of your life while also fighting an employer who let you down. You need attorneys who bring both legal skill and genuine compassion. Here is why employees across Los Angeles turn to Greenberg Gross LLP.
Trial Lawyers Who Left Big Law to Build Something Better
Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to create a practice with major-firm resources and the personal attention that matters in sensitive cases. The firm's founding case ended with a $50 million verdict on a counterclaim.
Genuine Commitment to Every Client
Our attorneys build real relationships with the people they represent. Clients consistently describe our team as responsive, thorough, and personally invested. We keep you informed at every stage and make sure you feel supported throughout the process.
Proven Results in Employment Cases
Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for employees in discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract cases. You can review our case results for more detail.
Deep Roots in Los Angeles and Orange County
Our LA office on South Figueroa Street sits minutes from the Los Angeles Superior Court. Our Costa Mesa headquarters anchors our presence across Orange County, with additional offices in Las Vegas, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Labor Litigation Firm
- Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network
These honors reflect a consistent record of litigation results and real dedication to the people we represent.
Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Pregnancy Discrimination in Los Angeles
Q: What happens after I contact a pregnancy discrimination lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP?
A: During a confidential consultation, an attorney reviews your situation and explains which laws may apply. If we believe we can successfully resolve your case, we begin building your claim right away. There is no obligation, and the conversation is completely private.
Q: Can my employer fire me for missing work because of pregnancy complications?
A: No. California's Pregnancy Disability Leave law protects your job for up to four months when you cannot work due to pregnancy or a related medical condition. If your employer fired you during that time, a Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP can evaluate your claim.
Q: Is it illegal for my employer to demote me because I am pregnant in California?
A: Yes. Demoting an employee because of pregnancy violates FEHA. If your demotion coincided with your pregnancy announcement or leave request, that timing can serve as evidence of discrimination. California's rebuttable presumption law (SB 497) strengthens your position when adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Q: How much is a pregnancy discrimination case worth in Los Angeles?
A: Every case is different. Recovery depends on factors like lost income, emotional distress, and whether your employer acted with malice. California does not cap damages in most FEHA cases, which means there is no artificial limit on what a jury can award.
FAQs Answered by Our Los Angeles Maternity Leave Discrimination Lawyers
Do I need to have worked at my job for a certain amount of time to qualify for pregnancy leave in California?
PDL has no minimum service requirement, so you qualify from your first day. CFRA bonding leave requires 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours worked in the prior year. Your attorney determines which protections apply to your timeline.
Can fathers file pregnancy discrimination claims in Los Angeles?
FEHA protects all employees from discrimination related to pregnancy and family status. If a father was treated unfairly because of his partner's pregnancy or because he requested parental leave, he may have a valid claim.
What if my employer said my job was eliminated while I was on maternity leave?
Eliminating a position while an employee is on protected leave raises serious red flags. If the timing suggests the decision was connected to your pregnancy or leave, your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP investigates whether the elimination was legitimate or pretextual.
Can I get paid during pregnancy disability leave in California?
PDL itself is unpaid, but California's Paid Family Leave program through the Employment Development Department (EDD) provides partial wage replacement for up to eight weeks. Your employer may also allow or require the use of accrued sick or vacation time during leave.
Can I file a pregnancy discrimination claim if I was denied a reasonable accommodation?
Yes. California law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions. If your employer refused to modify your duties, schedule, or workspace when medically needed, that refusal may support a discrimination claim on its own.
Does Greenberg Gross LLP handle pregnancy discrimination cases outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. Our team handles cases throughout Southern California, including Orange County, and statewide. We also maintain offices in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Nevada, California, and Pennsylvania.
Talk to a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Today
Your pregnancy should never be used against you at work. California law protects you, and the attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP have the trial experience and genuine concern for your well-being to make sure those protections are enforced.
Call (855) 255-5515 or (213) 334-7000 for a confidential consultation with a pregnancy discrimination attorney who will listen, answer your questions, and help you take the right next step.