Workplace Retaliation Lawyer in Fullerton

If you experienced workplace retaliation at a Fullerton workplace, you have strong protections under California law. We represent employees only, never employers, and offer a free, confidential consultation. 1-800-371-3088.

What Is Workplace Retaliation in Fullerton

Retaliation against employees who exercise legal rights is independently illegal under California law, separate from the underlying complaint. Common statutory bases for Fullerton workers include Labor Code section 1102.5 (whistleblower retaliation; up to $10,000 per violation civil penalty under section 1102.5(f)), Labor Code section 98.6 (retaliation for filing a wage complaint), Labor Code section 6310 (Cal/OSHA retaliation; 6-month deadline to file with Cal/OSHA), Labor Code section 232 (retaliation for discussing wages with coworkers), Labor Code section 132a (workers' compensation retaliation), Cal. Government Code section 12940(h) (FEHA-protected-activity retaliation), Cal. Government Code section 8547 (California Whistleblower Protection Act for state employees), and Health and Safety Code section 1278.5 (hospital-worker patient-safety retaliation; $25,000-per-violation civil penalty).

Fullerton Industries Where Retaliation Claims Are Most Common

• Higher-education workers - at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF - largest CSU campus by total enrollment, more than 41,000 students) and Fullerton College (1913 - the oldest continuously-operating community college in California, part of NOCCCD).
• Healthcare workers - at Providence St. Jude Medical Center (101 East Valencia Mesa Drive, (714) 871-3280) - a 320-bed faith-based, non-profit acute-care hospital.
• K-12 education workers - at the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (1,001-5,000 employees per LinkedIn) and the Fullerton School District.
• Public-sector workers - at the City of Fullerton (303 W. Commonwealth Avenue), Fullerton Police Department, and Orange County government.
• Legacy aerospace and current manufacturing workers - at the former Hughes Aircraft Fullerton campus (founded 1957; Raytheon acquired Hughes in 1997 and sold the 293-acre Fullerton site to developers; many former workers continue to live in the area) and at other light-industrial operations along Orangethorpe Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue.
• Retail and restaurant workers - in downtown Fullerton along Harbor Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, at Amerige Heights Town Center, and at Fullerton Town Center. Fast-food workers at chains with 60+ national locations earn the $20/hour AB 1228 floor.

SB 497 Rebuttable Presumption

SB 497 (effective January 1, 2024) amended Labor Code sections 98.6, 1102.5, and 1197.5 to create a rebuttable presumption of retaliation when an employer takes adverse action within 90 days of a protected complaint. The burden shifts to the employer to prove a non-retaliatory reason for the adverse action - a major change that strengthens Fullerton retaliation claims. AB 692 (effective January 1, 2026) added Labor Code section 926, which voids most "stay-or-pay" contract terms.

California Law

For the full California retaliation framework, including Labor Code sections 1102.5, 98.6, 6310, 232, and 132a, the California Whistleblower Protection Act (Cal. Government Code section 8547), and FEHA retaliation (Cal. Government Code section 12940(h)), see our California employment law page.

What Compensation Can You Recover

Back pay, front pay, emotional-distress damages, punitive damages (where allowed by statute), civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation under Labor Code section 1102.5(f); up to $25,000 per violation under Health and Safety Code section 1278.5), and attorneys' fees and costs (Labor Code section 1102.5(j)). For details, see our California employment law page.

How to File a Retaliation Claim in Fullerton

Whistleblower and wage-retaliation claims can be filed with the California Labor Commissioner (DLSE Santa Ana Office, 2 MacArthur Place, Suite 800, Santa Ana, CA 92707, phone (714) 558-4910). Cal/OSHA retaliation claims under Labor Code section 6310 have a 6-month deadline; statewide complaint line (833) 579-0927. FEHA retaliation claims go to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), 320 W. 4th Street, Suite 1000, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Civil suits are heard at the Orange County Superior Court, Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Call us at 1-800-371-3088 before any deadline.