Protecting Manhattan Beach workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
How long do you have to file a workplace discrimination claim in Manhattan Beach?
You generally have two years to file most workplace discrimination lawsuits in California from the date of the discriminatory act (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, many discrimination claims first require filing with a state or federal agency, such as the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which have their own specific and often shorter deadlines.
A claim against a city, county, or public agency, including public employers, must be presented within six months of the discriminatory act (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Missing these initial deadlines can prevent you from pursuing your claim.
What steps should you take after experiencing workplace discrimination?
Experiencing discrimination at work can feel overwhelming, but taking specific steps can protect your rights. Here are actions to consider:
Document everything: Keep detailed records of every incident, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who was present. Document any changes in your work assignments, pay, or treatment.
Preserve evidence: Save emails, texts, performance reviews, written warnings, or other documents that support your claim. Avoid destroying or altering company property, but keep copies of your own records.
Report internally: Follow your employer's internal complaint procedures. This often means reporting the discrimination to your supervisor, HR department, or another designated person. Make your complaint in writing and keep a copy.
Seek medical or psychological care: If the discrimination has affected your health, see a doctor or therapist. Keep records of your appointments, diagnoses, and treatments, as this can be relevant to your claim.
Contact an attorney: An attorney can assess your specific situation, explain the legal options available, and guide you through the process, including filing with the appropriate agencies.
Where is a workplace discrimination lawsuit filed for Manhattan Beach residents?
A workplace discrimination lawsuit originating in Manhattan Beach, which is located in Los Angeles County, is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under local court rules, personal injury cases in Los Angeles County are filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and are then 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). For Manhattan Beach, the relevant courthouse is the Torrance Courthouse, located at 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503.
What kinds of workplace discrimination claims are there?
California and federal laws prohibit discrimination based on many protected characteristics. These laws cover various forms of unfair treatment in the workplace, including hiring, firing, promotion, job assignments, training, benefits, and harassment. Common types of discrimination include:
Age Discrimination: Unequal treatment of employees or applicants aged 40 or older.
Disability Discrimination: Discrimination against individuals with physical or mental disabilities, including failing to provide reasonable accommodations.
Gender Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on sex, including pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, and issues related to gender identity or expression.
National Origin Discrimination: Discrimination based on a person's country of origin, ethnicity, or accent.
Race/Color Discrimination: Unequal treatment based on a person's race or skin color.
Religious Discrimination: Discrimination based on an individual's religious beliefs or practices.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Workplace discrimination can take many forms, from overt actions to more subtle biases. If you believe you have experienced discrimination, understanding your rights is crucial. You can also learn more about workplace discrimination law in general.
What working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involves
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, you get a team focused on protecting your rights as a worker in Manhattan Beach. We start by listening to your story and evaluating the specifics of your situation. We gather evidence, understand the facts, and explain the applicable laws. Our goal is to pursue the full compensation available under California law for lost wages, emotional distress, and other harm caused by discrimination. We prepare your case for negotiation or, if necessary, for court. We also help workers in neighboring communities like Bell and Azusa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Civil Rights Department (CRD)?
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency responsible for enforcing California's civil rights laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prohibits workplace discrimination. Before filing a lawsuit for many types of discrimination, you generally must first file a complaint with the CRD within a specific time limit, usually one year from the date of the discriminatory act.
Can I be fired for reporting discrimination?
No, California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report discrimination, participate in an investigation, or oppose discriminatory practices. This protection against retaliation is a key part of anti-discrimination laws.
What if the discrimination happened a while ago?
The deadline to file a claim depends on the type of discrimination and where you file it. For instance, a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department generally has a one-year deadline from the date of the discriminatory act. Some lawsuits have a two-year deadline (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1), but a claim against a public employer, such as a city or county agency, has a strict six-month presentation deadline (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Deadlines have exceptions and must be confirmed with an attorney for your specific facts.
Does California law cover all employers?
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) generally applies to employers with five or more employees. However, the anti-harassment provisions apply to all employers, regardless of size. Federal anti-discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, typically apply to employers with 15 or more employees.
If you are facing workplace discrimination in Manhattan Beach, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Manhattan Beach
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Manhattan Beach and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Manhattan Beach claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Manhattan Beach (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).