Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving Commerce
Protecting Commerce workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What if your employer in Commerce offers a severance agreement?
When an employer in Commerce offers a severance package, it often includes a release of claims against the company. This means you might give up your right to sue for things like wrongful termination, discrimination, or unpaid wages. Before signing any severance agreement, understanding your legal rights and the implications of the document is crucial.
Severance agreements are contracts, and like all contracts, they contain terms that benefit one party more than the other. Companies draft these agreements to protect their interests, often limiting their future liability. An attorney can review the agreement to ensure it is fair and that you are not giving up valuable legal claims without proper compensation. Many factors determine if a severance offer is reasonable, including your length of service, your position, the reasons for your separation, and any potential legal claims you might have against the employer.
Where does a contract dispute claim get filed in Los Angeles County?
Most employment contract claims that become lawsuits in Los Angeles County are filed at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Specifically, cases are generally filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred. For matters in Commerce, this means your case would proceed through the Central District, with proceedings often taking place at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
The Los Angeles Superior Court has specific rules for filing. Local Rule 2.3 and the General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases (effective May 17, 2024) explain that personal injury cases are assigned to a Personal Injury Hub department. While these rules refer to personal injury, employment cases also follow specific filing guidelines depending on their nature and the amount in dispute. These details mean confirming the exact filing location with an attorney for your specific situation is always wise.
How long do you have to act on an employment contract dispute?
For many employment claims, like those involving a breach of contract or unpaid wages, California law sets various deadlines. Generally, an action for a written contract breach must be filed within four years, and an action for an oral contract breach within two years. Other claims, such as wrongful termination based on discrimination, may have shorter deadlines, sometimes as little as one year from the discriminatory act.
If your claim involves a public entity, like the City of Commerce or a local school district, the deadline is much shorter. You must present a written claim to the public entity within six months of the incident under Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2. Only after the public entity responds to or rejects this claim can you file a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your ability to pursue a claim, so acting quickly matters. A detailed review of your situation with an attorney will clarify all applicable deadlines.
What should you do after an employment contract dispute?
If you believe your employment rights have been violated or you receive a severance offer, taking specific steps can protect your interests.
Do not sign anything immediately. Severance agreements often come with deadlines, but you are generally not required to sign it on the spot. Take time to review the document and seek legal advice.
Gather all relevant documents. Collect your employment contract, offer letters, performance reviews, emails, termination letters, and any other documents related to your employment and the dispute.
Write down key events. Create a detailed timeline of events, including dates, names of individuals involved, and descriptions of conversations or incidents. This helps in reconstructing your case later.
Do not disparage your employer. Even if you are upset, refrain from making negative comments about your employer to colleagues, on social media, or elsewhere. This could be used against you.
Consult with an attorney. An employment lawyer can evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and help you understand the terms and implications of any agreement. For example, if you work in Commerce and face a complex employment issue, our team can help you understand what your options are. Our work also extends to other areas of employee rights. If you are experiencing retaliation at work, you can learn more about protecting your rights.
What kinds of employment contract disputes do we handle?
Our firm focuses on helping employees in Commerce and throughout Los Angeles County with a range of employment contract and severance issues. We assist individuals who have been offered severance agreements, helping them negotiate for better terms or identify potential legal claims they might be giving up. This includes reviewing provisions related to non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses, and confidentiality agreements.
We also represent employees in disputes arising from breaches of employment contracts, such as failures to pay agreed-upon bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation. Sometimes, a contract dispute can involve executive employment issues, where the stakes are particularly high. Whether you are an executive or an hourly employee, understanding your contract terms and your rights is important. Our practice is concentrated in employment law, providing dedicated representation to protect your interests. If you live in a nearby city like Agoura Hills or Alhambra and need help with a severance or contract issue, we can assist you there too.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means you have an advocate dedicated to your employment rights. When you contact us, we start by listening to your story and assessing the facts of your situation. This initial consultation allows us to understand your specific contract or severance agreement issues and advise you on the best course of action. We will explain the legal process, potential outcomes, and answer all your questions in plain language.
Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney's fees unless we win your case. Furthermore, if we do not achieve a recovery for you, you are not responsible for any case costs either. We believe this arrangement allows all individuals, regardless of their financial situation, to access justice. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, while keeping you informed every step of the way. If you are in Carson or Bellflower, our attorneys are ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a severance agreement?
A severance agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer that typically provides the employee with a payment or other benefits upon their departure from the company, in exchange for the employee waiving their right to sue the employer for any claims. These agreements are often used when an employee is laid off or terminated without cause, and they aim to prevent future legal disputes.
Should I have an attorney review my severance agreement?
Yes, it is highly recommended to have an attorney review any severance agreement before you sign it. Severance agreements are legally binding documents drafted by employers to protect their own interests, and they often include complex legal terms and conditions that could impact your rights. An attorney can explain the terms, negotiate for better compensation or benefits, and ensure you are not signing away valuable claims without fair consideration.
How long do I have to review a severance offer?
Federal and state laws often require employers to give employees a certain amount of time to review and consider a severance offer, especially if it involves waiving rights under certain anti-discrimination statutes. For instance, if you are over 40 years old, federal law gives you 21 days to consider the agreement and seven days to revoke it after signing. Even without a statutory requirement, a reasonable review period should always be allowed.
What happens if I sign a severance agreement without understanding it?
Signing a severance agreement without fully understanding its terms can have significant consequences. Once you sign, you typically waive your right to pursue legal claims against your former employer, even if you were unaware of those claims. This means you might lose your opportunity to seek compensation for wrongful termination, discrimination, or other violations. This is why getting legal advice from an attorney before signing is so important.
If you have questions about a severance offer or an employment contract in Commerce, call Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529 for a confidential consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Commerce
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Commerce and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Commerce claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Commerce is filed in Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central 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 Commerce
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Commerce (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).