Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving Simi Valley
Protecting Simi Valley workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Does a severance agreement always protect you after leaving a job in Simi Valley?
A severance agreement offers protection, but it is not automatically comprehensive. An employer might present an agreement that favors their interests over yours. What an agreement says, and what it leaves out, determines your rights after your job ends.
When you leave a job, especially involuntarily, your employer might offer a severance package. This package often includes payment in exchange for you signing away certain rights, such as the ability to sue the company. Carefully reviewing these documents ensures you do not inadvertently give up claims you might have, like for wrongful termination or unpaid wages.
What severance and contract situations does Casa Legal Los Angeles handle?
Our firm helps employees in Simi Valley understand and negotiate various employment contracts and severance agreements. This includes reviewing an offer before you sign it, negotiating better terms, or challenging an agreement that violates your rights. We work with employees facing job loss, changes in employment terms, or disputes over contract clauses.
We deal with non-compete clauses, confidentiality agreements, and other restrictive covenants that can limit your future employment options. Many employment disputes benefit from a lawyer's review, whether it is a potential wrongful termination, a dispute over employee rights, or issues for executives and professionals. Our focus includes areas like executive and professional employment issues.
How long do you have to act on an employment contract issue in California?
Most employment contract claims in California have specific time limits. Generally, you have two years to file a lawsuit for breach of an oral contract and four years for a written contract (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 339, 337). However, claims against a city, county, or other public agency in Simi Valley, such as a school district, are different. You must present a written claim to the public entity within six months of the incident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2) before you can file a lawsuit. If the person affected is a minor, the deadline for most claims is paused (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352), but that pause does not apply to claims against public entities (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352(b)). Always check the specific deadline for your situation.
California law allows recovery for economic damages, like lost wages and benefits, and sometimes non-economic damages, depending on the claim. We pursue the full compensation available under California law for our clients.
What should you do after receiving a severance offer or facing an employment contract dispute?
When you receive a severance offer or encounter a contract dispute, take these steps:
**Do not sign anything immediately.** Severance agreements often come with deadlines. Use this time to understand the document fully.
**Collect all relevant documents.** Gather your employment contract, offer letter, performance reviews, communications with your employer, and any other papers related to your employment and departure.
**Keep detailed notes.** Write down dates, names, and summaries of conversations or incidents related to your situation.
**Seek legal advice.** A lawyer can explain your rights, review the proposed agreement, and advise you on the best course of action. This is especially true for complex situations involving employee rights or executive employment.
Where do you file a severance or contract claim originating in Simi Valley?
If you need to file a lawsuit related to a severance agreement or employment contract dispute arising in Simi Valley, the case is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. This is not Los Angeles County. The Hall of Justice, located at 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009, is the courthouse where such claims are generally handled. You will file your claim there rather than with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means having someone review your employment contract or severance package. We explain the terms in plain language, identify potential issues, and help you understand what you might be giving up by signing. We negotiate with employers to improve severance terms, protect your future employment options, and secure what you are owed. We also assist with claims of wrongful termination or other employment law violations. Our firm focuses on employment law, including situations involving retaliation. We represent employees throughout Ventura County, including those in Agoura Hills and Bellflower.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a non-compete clause, and can my employer enforce it in California?
A non-compete clause attempts to prevent you from working for a competitor or starting a similar business after leaving your current job. In California, most non-compete clauses are unenforceable under Business and Professions Code section 16600. There are very few exceptions, typically involving the sale of a business.
How can a lawyer help if I am offered a severance package?
A lawyer can review the severance package to ensure it complies with California law and protects your rights. We can identify if the offer is fair, negotiate for better terms such as increased pay or benefits, or advise you if signing the agreement means giving up a potential claim like wrongful termination. We ensure the agreement does not contain overly restrictive terms that hurt your future job prospects.
What if my employer fired me right before offering a severance package?
Being fired before receiving a severance package might indicate potential legal issues with your termination, such as wrongful termination or discrimination. A lawyer can assess the circumstances of your termination alongside the severance offer to see if you have grounds for a claim beyond the severance terms. Claims like these are subject to deadlines, such as the two-year period for most personal injury and wrongful death claims (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).
Is there a specific court for employment disputes in Ventura County?
Yes, employment disputes originating in Simi Valley are heard in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. The Hall of Justice, located at 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009, is the courthouse that handles these types of cases. Claims against public entities in Ventura County, such as a local government agency in Simi Valley, follow a different process and must first be presented within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2).
If you are facing an employment contract issue or have received a severance offer, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles today. We offer consultations to discuss your options. Call 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win—and no case costs either. This information is for general purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions; confirm what applies to your specific facts with an attorney.
Serving Simi Valley
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Simi Valley and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Simi Valley claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Simi Valley is filed in Hall of Justice of the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura.
This community is in Ventura County, not Los Angeles County. A personal injury claim arising here is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura 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 Ventura (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Simi Valley
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Simi Valley (Ventura 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).