Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving Santa Ana
Protecting Santa Ana workers' rights. No fee unless we win.
How long do you have to act if your severance agreement or employment contract has problems in Santa Ana?
You generally have a limited time to challenge a severance agreement or employment contract, often dictated by the specific terms of the agreement or by California law. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your chance to address issues with your employer, so acting quickly is important.
What kinds of severance and contract disputes do we handle for Santa Ana workers?
Many workers in Santa Ana face employment contract issues or are offered severance agreements that they feel are unfair. We help employees understand and enforce their rights in situations involving employment contracts, severance agreements, and other related workplace documents. This includes reviewing proposed severance packages, negotiating terms, and litigating when an employer breaches an agreement. We also assist with disputes over non-compete clauses, non-solicitation agreements, and issues related to executive compensation. For more information on how we support workers, you can visit our main employment law hub at /employment-law.
What should you do if you have a severance or employment contract problem?
Gather your documents. Collect all relevant papers, including your employment contract, offer letters, severance agreement drafts, performance reviews, and any correspondence with your employer about your employment or departure.
Do not sign anything if you have concerns. You generally have a period to review severance agreements; signing too quickly can limit your options.
Note all deadlines. Pay attention to any dates mentioned in your documents, especially those for accepting severance offers or responding to contract changes.
Consult an attorney. An experienced attorney can review your documents, explain your rights, and help you understand the potential implications of signing or not signing an agreement.
Where would a severance or employment contract claim from Santa Ana be filed?
An employment or contract claim arising in Santa Ana, which is in Orange County, is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. The courthouse for such matters is typically the Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701. This is different from filing in Los Angeles County. Some claims might also be handled through arbitration if your employment contract includes such a clause, or through administrative agencies, depending on the specific legal issues involved.
What are the deadlines for taking action on an employment contract or severance dispute in California?
The deadline to pursue an employment contract or severance dispute depends on the specific facts of your situation. For many claims arising from a breach of a written contract, the standard deadline is four years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337). However, for claims involving injury to an individual, such as those related to wrongful termination or certain personal rights violations, the deadline is two years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If your claim involves a public entity, like a city or county agency, you generally must present a written claim to that entity within six months of the incident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2) before you can file a lawsuit. The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor under CCP § 352, but § 352(b) removes that pause for claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act. Because these deadlines vary widely and have exceptions, it is critical to confirm the specific deadlines that apply to your facts with an attorney.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles look like?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means having an advocate on your side who understands California employment law. We begin by listening to your story, reviewing your documents, and providing a clear assessment of your options. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether that involves negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We aim to help Santa Ana workers protect their financial security and enforce their contractual rights. We also assist employees in nearby communities like Agoura Hills with their severance and contract needs, and have a deep understanding of employee rights across the region. You can learn more about specific protections, like those against wrongful termination, by visiting pages like our Santa Ana Employee Rights page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a severance agreement?
A severance agreement is a contract between an employee and employer that outlines the terms of an employment separation, often in exchange for the employee waiving their right to sue the employer for certain claims. These agreements typically include provisions for a final payment, benefits continuation, and confidentiality clauses.
Can my employer force me to sign a severance agreement in Santa Ana?
No employer can force you to sign a severance agreement; you always have the right to refuse. However, if you do not sign, you may forfeit the benefits offered in the agreement. An attorney can help you understand whether signing is in your best interest.
What happens if I believe my employment contract was breached?
If you believe your employer breached your employment contract, you may have legal grounds to pursue a claim for damages. The first step involves reviewing the contract terms and gathering evidence of the breach. Because claims for breach of written contract have a deadline, you should consult an attorney to understand your options and the relevant timeframe.
What types of claims can be included in a severance agreement?
Severance agreements often require you to release your employer from a wide range of potential claims, including claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour violations. It is important to understand exactly what rights you are giving up before signing, as well as if you may have other claims such as retaliation in the workplace. For example, some Santa Ana workers may have claims for retaliation if they were fired for reporting illegal activity.
If you have questions about your severance agreement or employment contract, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Santa Ana
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Santa Ana and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Santa Ana claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Santa Ana is filed in Central Justice Center of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange.
This community is in Orange County, not Los Angeles County. A personal injury claim arising here is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange rather than with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Confirm the correct justice center for the specific incident location.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Orange (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Santa Ana
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Santa Ana (Orange 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).