Los Angeles Medical Leave Lawyers

Medical Leave Laws in California

California has multiple laws in place regarding employees’ rights to take medical leave. These include the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law. Different laws will apply to you depending on your medical condition, your status as an employee, and the size of the company that employs you.

Employees can take unpaid medical leaves of up to 12 weeks to care for their own health problems or to care for family members with serious health conditions, without fear of losing their jobs or facing other punishments.

To qualify for medical leave, an employee must work at a location (or within 75 miles of a location) with at least 50 employees. Employees must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have accumulated at least 1,250 hours of work within that period.

Acceptable reasons for taking medical leave include seeking care for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, caring for an ill or injured spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent, and attending to serious medical conditions that prevent the employee from working.

It is every employer’s duty to be aware of the laws that apply to his or her employees in California. Employers must comply with all federal and state requirements. Under no circumstances is it legal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for taking medical leave.

Common Medical Leave Violations and How We Help

Medical leave violations often occur quietly, leaving employees confused about whether their rights have truly been violated. Employers may deny leave requests outright, misclassify employees as ineligible, demand excessive medical documentation, or fail to reinstate workers to their same or an equivalent position after leave ends. 

In other cases, employers improperly count protected medical leave against attendance policies or performance reviews.

At Nosrati Law, our attorneys focus exclusively on employment law, allowing us to quickly identify when an employer’s actions cross legal lines. We review company policies, internal communications, and employment records to determine which state or federal laws apply and identify any potential violations. Our dedicated lawyers and staff are personally invested in the people behind each case, and we take the time to explain your options clearly and guide you through each step of the process.

When retaliation accompanies a medical leave violation, such as demotion, reduced hours, or termination, we can address those actions as part of a broader legal strategy, while keeping the focus on protecting your rights and financial stability. We work on contingency, meaning there are no upfront legal fees. 

Advocates for Los Angeles Employees

If you’re in a situation in which an employer is denying you medical leave or penalizing you for taking it, speak to one of our lawyers. You could be eligible for compensation for your lost wages, back pay, wrongful termination, emotional distress, attorney’s fees, and other losses. 

Reach out today by calling (323) 784-0643. We can meet in our Century Park Plaza office in Los Angeles or do a video consultation, whichever you prefer.