Protecting Lawndale workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
How long do I have to file a workplace discrimination claim in Lawndale?
You generally have two years to file most workplace discrimination claims in California, but some deadlines are much shorter. If you believe you faced discrimination at work in Lawndale, you should speak with an attorney quickly to understand your specific deadlines.
The standard deadline for many personal injury claims, including some workplace claims, is two years from the date of the injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, many workplace discrimination cases first require filing a complaint with a government agency like the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agency complaints often have a one-year deadline from the discriminatory act. If your claim involves a public entity, such as the City of Lawndale or a county agency, you must present a formal claim to that entity within six months of the incident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Failing to meet these strict deadlines can prevent you from pursuing your case.
What kinds of workplace discrimination does California law prohibit?
California law protects employees from many forms of unfair treatment at work. These protections cover various situations, such as hiring, firing, promotions, pay, and other terms of employment. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) bans discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and political affiliation. This includes harassment based on these characteristics. You can learn more about protecting your rights as an employee in Lawndale, including claims beyond discrimination, on our Lawndale employee rights page.
What should I do after experiencing workplace discrimination?
If you believe you have been discriminated against at work, taking certain steps can help protect your rights.
Document everything. Keep detailed records of every incident, including dates, times, locations, and what was said or done. Note the names of witnesses and any documents that support your claim, like emails or performance reviews.
Review company policies. Look through your employee handbook for policies on discrimination, harassment, and reporting procedures. Follow your company's internal reporting process if you feel safe doing so.
Preserve evidence. Do not delete emails, texts, or other communications related to the discrimination. Save any relevant documents in a safe place outside of your work computer or email account.
Seek medical attention if needed. If the discrimination has caused emotional distress or physical symptoms, see a doctor or mental health professional. This creates a record of the harm you experienced.
Consult with a lawyer. Speak with an attorney experienced in workplace discrimination claims quickly. They can help you understand your rights, evaluate the strength of your case, and guide you through the complaint process. The deadlines for filing discrimination claims are strict, and missing them can be fatal to your case.
Where does a workplace discrimination claim from Lawndale get filed?
Workplace discrimination claims from Lawndale, located in Los Angeles County, are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under local rules, personal injury and similar cases, including many employment law matters, are assigned to the judicial district where the incident occurred. For Lawndale, this means your case would be filed at the Torrance Courthouse, located at 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503. This court handles cases for the Southwest District of Los Angeles County. Understanding which court to use is part of the process of pursuing the full compensation available under California law.
What is it like to work with Casa Legal Los Angeles?
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, we focus on understanding your individual situation. We provide clear explanations of California employment law and discuss how it applies to your specific facts. Our team helps you gather necessary evidence, such as documentation of the discrimination and witness statements. We prepare and file the required complaints with state or federal agencies, like the DFEH or EEOC, ensuring all deadlines are met. We also handle negotiations with your employer or their legal team, aiming to achieve a fair resolution. If a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to represent you in court. Our practice is concentrated in personal injury and employment law, including workplace discrimination, wage disputes, and executive employment issues. We are committed to protecting workers' rights throughout Lawndale and Los Angeles County. We have attorneys in nearby cities such as Azusa, Bell, and Bellflower.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between discrimination and harassment in the workplace?
Workplace discrimination involves treating an employee unfairly based on a protected characteristic, like gender or race, regarding their terms of employment such as hiring, firing, pay, or promotions. Harassment is a form of discrimination that involves unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic, which becomes severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment or results in an adverse employment decision. Both are illegal under California law.
Can I be fired for reporting workplace discrimination?
No, California law prohibits retaliation against an employee for reporting workplace discrimination or participating in an investigation into such claims. If your employer takes adverse action against you, like firing you, reducing your pay, or demoting you, because you reported discrimination, that action could be considered illegal retaliation. This protection is a key part of the state's anti-discrimination laws.
Do I have to file a complaint with an agency before filing a lawsuit?
Yes, for most workplace discrimination claims in California, you must first file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before you can file a lawsuit in court. This is called "exhausting administrative remedies." The DFEH or EEOC will investigate your claim and, if appropriate, issue a "Right-to-Sue" letter, which then allows you to file a lawsuit. The deadline to file with the DFEH is typically one year from the discriminatory act.
What types of damages can I recover in a workplace discrimination case?
If your workplace discrimination claim is successful, California law allows for recovery of various types of damages. These can include economic damages, such as lost wages and benefits, back pay, and front pay (for future lost earnings). You may also recover non-economic damages for emotional distress, pain, and suffering caused by the discrimination. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the employer for particularly egregious conduct.
If you are dealing with workplace discrimination in Lawndale, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529 for a consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Lawndale
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Lawndale and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Lawndale claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Lawndale is filed in Torrance Courthouse, Southwest 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 Lawndale
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Lawndale (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).