Protecting Pasadena workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What mistakes can ruin a Pasadena workplace discrimination claim?
Many Pasadena workers lose their chance at justice by waiting too long to act or failing to gather critical evidence. California law sets strict deadlines, and a missed deadline can end your claim before it even begins. Gathering and preserving evidence like emails, texts, and witness contacts from the start also strengthens your position significantly.
How long do you have to file a workplace discrimination claim in California?
Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years, as set by California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, workplace discrimination claims often involve different and much shorter deadlines, especially when dealing with government agencies or specific administrative complaints. For example, a claim against a city, county, or public agency, which might include certain public employers, must first be presented to that entity within six months under California Government Code § 911.2. Failing to meet these initial deadlines can prevent you from ever filing a lawsuit. If you believe your rights have been violated at work, immediate action is important.
What types of workplace discrimination does California law prohibit?
California law protects employees from discrimination based on a wide range of protected characteristics. This includes discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and medical condition. Unfair treatment, harassment, or adverse employment actions such as wrongful termination or demotion based on any of these factors could be illegal discrimination. Protections extend to employees in Pasadena and throughout California, ensuring a fair workplace for everyone.
Where does a workplace discrimination claim from Pasadena get filed?
A workplace discrimination claim for an incident occurring in Pasadena is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Northeast District, at the Pasadena Courthouse. This courthouse is located at 300 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101. 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, as specified by LASC Local Rule 2.3. While employment cases are not strictly personal injury, they often follow similar jurisdictional rules for determining the proper courthouse location.
What concrete steps should you take if you face discrimination at work?
Document everything. Keep a detailed record of discriminatory incidents, including dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and what was said or done. Save any relevant emails, text messages, or written communications.
Report the discrimination. Follow your employer's internal complaint procedures, if they exist. Make your complaint in writing if possible, and keep a copy for your records.
Seek medical attention if the discrimination has caused you emotional distress or physical symptoms. Keep records of your doctor visits and any related expenses.
Do not sign anything from your employer without first understanding its implications. This includes severance agreements or releases of claims.
Consult with an attorney. An attorney can explain your rights and the specific deadlines that apply to your situation, which might be shorter than you expect, particularly for claims against public employers.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, you get a firm focused on your rights as an employee. We investigate the facts of your situation, gather evidence, and help you understand the legal process. Our firm represents workers throughout Los Angeles County, including those needing a workplace discrimination attorney in Azusa or seeking assistance with retaliation and whistleblowing in Pasadena. We handle all communications with your employer or their legal team. Our aim is to achieve the best possible resolution for your claim. We pursue the full compensation available under California law for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages you have suffered. We also help Pasadena workers understand their broader employee rights and options for leave and accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California statute of limitations for filing a discrimination lawsuit?
The deadline for filing a discrimination lawsuit in California can vary widely depending on the specific type of discrimination and where you file your initial complaint. For most workplace discrimination claims, you must first file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The deadline for filing with the CRD is generally three years from the date of the discriminatory act. After you receive a "right-to-sue" letter from the CRD, you typically have one year to file a lawsuit in court. These administrative steps are mandatory before you can sue in civil court.
What if I am a minor who experienced workplace discrimination?
If a minor experiences workplace discrimination in Pasadena, the general deadline for bringing a claim is usually paused until they turn 18, under California Code of Civil Procedure § 352. This is known as tolling. However, this tolling does not apply to claims against public entities. If the employer is a public agency, the strict six-month deadline under California Government Code § 911.2 for presenting a claim to the entity would still apply, regardless of the minor's age.
Can my employer fire me for reporting discrimination?
No, California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report discrimination or participate in an investigation. This protection is a core component of California employment law. Retaliation includes actions like firing, demoting, reducing pay, or creating a hostile work environment because an employee reported discrimination. If your employer retaliates against you, you may have a separate claim for retaliation, which also carries its own legal protections and deadlines.
What kind of evidence is useful in a discrimination case?
Useful evidence in a discrimination case includes any documentation that supports your claim, such as emails, text messages, performance reviews, disciplinary notices, or official company policies. Witness statements from coworkers who observed the discrimination can also be valuable. A detailed personal journal documenting each incident, including dates, times, and specific actions or words, can help establish a pattern of discrimination. Any evidence showing a difference in treatment between you and other employees not in your protected class is also important.
If you are a worker in Pasadena and have faced discrimination, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles today. Call 888-585-2529 for a conversation about your situation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving Pasadena
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Pasadena claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Pasadena is filed in Pasadena Courthouse, Northeast 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 Pasadena
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Pasadena (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).