Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Orange County

Protecting Pregnant Workers & New Parents At Work

Pregnancy should never cost you your job, your income, or your dignity at work. When an employer cuts your hours, pushes you out, or treats you differently because you are pregnant or just had a baby, the impact can be immediate and frightening. Your health, your family, and your financial stability all feel at risk.

If you believe your employer in Orange County is targeting you because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical needs, you do not have to figure this out alone. At The Gould Law Firm, our pregnancy discrimination lawyers in Orange County represent employees in workplace rights cases and help them understand whether what happened is illegal discrimination or something else. We offer a free initial consultation so you can get clear information before making major decisions.

Our firm has focused on protecting workers since 1995, and our team works on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay attorney fees up front, and you only pay if there is a successful recovery. We know you may already be under financial strain, and our goal is to reduce that pressure while we review your situation.

Facing unfair treatment because of pregnancy? A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Orange County can help you understand your rights. Call (714) 592-4936 or contact us online for a free consultation today.

What Counts As Pregnancy Discrimination At Work

Pregnancy discrimination is more than one unfair comment or a single awkward interaction. Under California and federal law, employers generally cannot treat you worse because you are pregnant, have given birth, or have a related medical condition. That protection can apply to hiring, firing, scheduling, promotions, discipline, and other important employment decisions.

California law, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act, often provides broader protection than federal law. Many employees who work in Orange County are also protected by rules that cover pregnancy disability leave, family and medical leave, and reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions. These rules can help you keep your job, adjust your duties for safety, or take protected time off before or after birth.

In real workplaces, discrimination rarely comes with an open admission. Instead, you might see a sudden change in how you are treated after you share news of your pregnancy or request leave. An employer might claim there is a restructuring, suddenly criticize work that was praised before, or deny schedule changes that other employees receive for non-medical reasons. These patterns are often as important as any single statement.

Retaliation can also be unlawful. If you ask for pregnancy-related accommodations, inquire about leave, or complain about unfair treatment, and your employer responds by cutting hours, reassigning you to worse shifts, or terminating you, that response may violate the law. Each situation is fact-specific, which is why speaking with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer is helpful before assuming you have no options.

Some workplace actions that may signal pregnancy discrimination include:

• Firing or laying you off soon after you announce pregnancy or request leave.
• Denying reasonable accommodations, such as extra restroom breaks or temporary lifting restrictions, while providing flexibility to others.
• Reducing hours, pay, or important responsibilities without a clear, consistent business reason.
• Pressuring you to take unpaid leave when you are still able to work with adjustments.
• Making negative comments about your pregnancy, future availability, or commitment to your job.
• Refusing to return you to your prior or a comparable position after protected leave.

Experiencing one or more of these issues does not automatically prove a legal violation, but it does mean your situation deserves careful review. We can listen to what has happened over time and help you understand whether the pattern fits what the law considers pregnancy discrimination.

Steps To Take If You Suspect Discrimination

If you are worried that your employer is targeting you because of pregnancy, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. You may be unsure whether to confront your manager, file a complaint, or start looking for another job. Before you take any big step, there are practical actions you can take to protect yourself and strengthen any potential claim.

One of the most important things you can do is document what is happening. Save relevant emails, text messages, voicemails, schedules, and performance reviews. If conversations occur in person or by phone, you can write down notes afterward that include the date, time, who was present, and what was said. These notes can be valuable later if memories fade or people change their stories.

It is also helpful to gather copies of any policies that may apply, such as employee handbooks, attendance rules, leave policies, and accommodation procedures. These documents often show what the employer says it will do, which can be compared with what actually happened in your case. You do not need to argue about them with management; just having them available can assist your attorney.

Make sure you are taking care of your health. If stress or workplace changes are affecting your pregnancy or recovery, let your medical provider know. Documentation from a doctor about restrictions, stress, or health impact can play a role in both accommodations and legal claims. Your well-being comes first, and the law generally recognizes your right to reasonable pregnancy-related accommodations.

If you think you may be facing pregnancy discrimination, consider these steps:

• Write down a timeline of key events, including when you disclosed pregnancy and any major changes at work.
• Save written communications, schedules, and policy documents that may relate to your situation.
• Consult with a medical provider about any health concerns and follow recommended care.
• Avoid resigning, signing severance agreements, or making formal complaints without first getting legal advice, if possible.
• Contact our team to discuss your options before your situation escalates further.

Taking these steps does not commit you to a lawsuit. They simply give you and your attorney better information to evaluate your choices. At The Gould Law Firm, we can review your documents, talk through what has been happening at your workplace, and help you decide how to move forward.

Why Choose Our Pregnancy Discrimination Team

When you contact a lawyer about pregnancy discrimination, you need more than sympathy. You need a firm that understands employment law, has seen how employers respond to these claims, and knows what it takes to move a case forward. At The Gould Law Firm, we represent employees, not employers, in claims involving discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and wage violations.

Our pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Orange County bring over 40 years of combined experience in employment law. Since 1995, we have focused our practice on workers' rights, including cases where employees were mistreated after disclosing a medical condition, requesting time off, or asking for simple accommodations. This background is important in pregnancy discrimination matters, where employers often try to disguise unlawful motives as performance decisions or business needs.

Our admission to practice in all Federal District Courts in California gives you the reassurance that if your case involves federal law or needs to be brought in federal court, we are prepared to pursue that option. Our attorneys have received recognition, such as Super Lawyers, which is an independent acknowledgment of our work in employment law. These credentials do not guarantee any result in a particular case, but they do reflect a record of commitment and capability.

Many pregnancy discrimination cases overlap with wrongful termination, disability discrimination, or wage and hour problems. Our history of handling these kinds of claims helps us look at your entire situation, not just one event. We work to identify all potential violations so we can pursue fair compensation for the full scope of harm you experienced.

How Our Firm Helps Pregnant Workers

When you reach out to our firm about possible pregnancy discrimination, our first priority is to understand your story. During your free consultation, we listen to the timeline, ask about your job duties, review any documents you have, and discuss how your employer responded to your pregnancy or leave requests. Our goal is to give you clear, direct feedback about what we see.

Pregnancy-related cases often involve overlapping issues. You may be facing discrimination, retaliation for asserting your rights, harassment from a supervisor, or wrongful termination. We draw on our experience in disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage and hour matters to evaluate all potential claims. This broader view can be important when, for example, schedule changes or lost hours affect your pay as well as your job status.

We know that pregnancy and the months after birth can be physically and emotionally demanding. Our team works to communicate in ways that respect your time, your health, and your family responsibilities. That can include scheduling calls thoughtfully, explaining legal concepts in plain language, and keeping you updated on significant developments in your case.

For employees who work or live in Orange County, employment claims may be filed in local state courts or, in some situations, in the federal court that serves this region. Our admission to all Federal District Courts in California and our regular work with state law claims mean we understand the procedures and expectations in these forums. While no attorney controls how fast a court moves, our familiarity with these systems helps us plan realistic timelines and strategies.

When we take on a pregnancy discrimination matter, we work to gather facts, evaluate legal options, and pursue compensation that may address lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, and other damages where the law allows. We do not promise any specific outcome, because every case depends on its facts and the decision makers involved. What we can say is that our firm is committed to holding employers accountable when they violate workers' rights.

Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you do not pay attorney fees up front. Our compensation is tied to the success of your case, which aligns our interests with yours. If you are unsure whether it is time to talk with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Orange County, a conversation with our team can help you understand your options without financial pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if this is pregnancy discrimination?

Pregnancy discrimination usually involves worse treatment because you are pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or have related medical needs. If negative changes followed your disclosure of pregnancy or a request for leave or accommodations, it may be discrimination. We can review your timeline and documents to give you informed guidance.

What will it cost to hire your firm?

We offer a free initial consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees up front, and you pay us only if your case is successful. We explain how fees and costs work in detail before you decide whether to move forward.

Can you help me if I still work there?

Yes, many people contact us while they are still employed. We can discuss ways to protect your job, document what is happening, and consider options that do not immediately involve filing a lawsuit. We are mindful of retaliation concerns and talk through the risks and benefits of each step.

How long do pregnancy discrimination cases take?

Timelines vary based on factors like the strength of the evidence, the employer's response, and the court or agency involved. Some cases resolve through negotiation, while others go through formal litigation. During your consultation, we can explain typical timing for similar matters in this region.

What should I bring to our first meeting?

It helps to bring any relevant emails or messages, notes of conversations, performance reviews, schedules, and copies of policies or handbooks. A simple written timeline of key events is also useful. If you do not have everything, we can still talk and help identify what to gather next.

Talk With Our Team About Your Rights

If you are facing possible pregnancy discrimination at work, you may feel torn between protecting your job and protecting your health and family. Speaking with an experienced pregnancy discrimination lawyer can help you understand what the law offers and what practical options you have. You do not have to face your employer's decisions without informed support.

At The Gould Law Firm, we have represented workers since 1995 and bring more than 40 years of combined employment law experience to each case we accept. We offer a free consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis so that cost is not a barrier to getting legal advice. If you are looking for a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Orange County who focuses on employees' rights, our team is ready to listen.

To learn about your options and discuss your situation confidentially with a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Orange County, contact us online today or call (714) 592-4936.