Leave and Accommodations Attorneys Serving Santa Monica
Protecting Santa Monica workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What is my Santa Monica leave or accommodation claim worth to me?
A leave or accommodation claim in Santa Monica allows you to seek compensation for losses directly linked to your employer's unlawful actions. This includes lost wages, bonuses, benefits, and emotional distress you endured. California law aims to make you whole again, putting you in the financial position you would have been in had the employer acted lawfully.
How long do I have to file a claim for leave or accommodation?
Most California employment claims, including those involving leave and accommodation, generally have a two-year deadline (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if your claim is against a city, county, or other public agency in Santa Monica, you must first present a written claim to that public entity within six months of the incident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Missing this shorter deadline usually prevents you from filing a lawsuit later. While the deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor under CCP § 352, that pause does not apply to claims against public entities.
What kinds of leave and accommodation cases does this cover?
Leave and accommodation law covers situations where an employer denies a legally protected leave, retaliates against an employee for taking one, or refuses a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious belief. This might involve family and medical leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or federal FMLA, protected time off for domestic violence or sexual assault victims, or pregnancy disability leave. It also includes cases where an employer fails to engage in the interactive process or provide reasonable accommodations for a disability, as required by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Our firm focuses on employment law, including issues like leave and accommodations, ensuring your employer respects your rights.
Where does a Santa Monica leave or accommodation case get filed?
A leave or accommodation case arising in Santa Monica is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under LASC Local Rule 2.3 and the General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024, cases are assigned to the judicial district where the incident occurred. For Santa Monica, this means your case would be heard at the Santa Monica Courthouse, located at 1725 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
What should I do after my employer denies my leave or accommodation request?
Document everything: Keep detailed records of your requests, your employer's responses, emails, internal memos, and any performance reviews or disciplinary actions that occurred around the same time. Note dates, times, and names of individuals involved.
Review company policies: Look at your employee handbook or company policies regarding leave, accommodations, and discrimination. Understand what processes your employer claims to follow.
Seek medical documentation: If your leave or accommodation relates to a medical condition, ensure you have proper documentation from your healthcare provider supporting your need.
Do not resign hastily: Leaving your job without consulting an attorney could affect your ability to recover certain damages.
Contact an attorney: Speak with an employment attorney about your specific situation. They can evaluate your claim, explain your rights, and help you understand the deadlines involved. For example, if you faced retaliation for requesting leave, a lawyer can help assess that specific violation.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, we start by listening to your story and gathering all relevant documents. We investigate your claim thoroughly, identify potential violations of California and federal employment laws, and clearly explain your options. We handle all communications with your employer or their legal team, aiming to resolve your case through negotiation or mediation. If a fair resolution isn't possible, we are ready to pursue your claim in court. We stand with workers across the region, from Santa Monica to Agoura Hills and Alhambra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Family Rights Act (CFRA)?
The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specific family and medical reasons, such as caring for a seriously ill family member, bonding with a new child, or for the employee's own serious health condition. This law applies to employers with five or more employees.
Can my employer fire me for taking protected leave in Santa Monica?
No, an employer generally cannot fire you for taking a leave protected by law, such as CFRA, FMLA, or pregnancy disability leave. These laws ensure job protection, meaning you have a right to return to your same or an equivalent position after your leave. If your employer terminates you while on or immediately after a protected leave, it could be considered unlawful retaliation, and you may have a claim against them.
Does my employer have to accommodate my disability?
Yes, under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers with five or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations for an employee's known physical or mental disability, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. This duty includes engaging in an "interactive process" with you to determine effective accommodations, which could involve job restructuring, modified work schedules, or equipment modifications. For more information on your workplace rights, explore our Santa Monica employee rights page.
What if my employer denies my accommodation request in Santa Monica?
If your Santa Monica employer denies your request for a reasonable accommodation, they must usually demonstrate that the accommodation would pose an "undue hardship" to their business or that there is no effective accommodation available. They cannot simply deny it without exploring options. If you believe your accommodation request was unlawfully denied, you should consult with an attorney to review the specifics of your situation and discuss potential legal actions.
If your employer has violated your rights regarding leave or accommodation, it is important to act quickly. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529 for a confidential consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Santa Monica
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Santa Monica claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Santa Monica is filed in Santa Monica Courthouse, West District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Santa Monica
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Santa Monica (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).