Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney in Santa Ana
Protecting expecting and new mothers in Santa Ana from illegal workplace bias.
- Last Updated:
Santa Ana is the heart of Orange County, powered by healthcare, education, retail, government, and professional services. Women workers in this vibrant community face pregnancy discrimination every day when employers deny accommodations, terminate employment, or refuse to reinstate workers after pregnancy leave. Setareh Law Group has represented California employees for over 25 years, holding employers accountable when they violate the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDL), and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
If your employer has fired you because you are pregnant, denied you reasonable accommodation, refused to reinstate you after leave, or treated you unfairly because of pregnancy or childbirth, you have legal rights. This page explains how pregnancy discrimination claims work in Santa Ana, what deadlines apply, and how Setareh Law Group can help you fight for justice.
Key Information for Santa Ana Workers Facing Pregnancy Discrimination
- Most common pregnancy discrimination claims in Santa Ana: denial of light duty in healthcare, termination after pregnancy announcement in retail, and failure to reinstate in education.
- Where cases are filed: Orange County Superior Court Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
- Statute of limitations for FEHA claims: Three years to file with the Civil Rights Department (CRD) under California Government Code § 12960.
Our Office Location Serving Santa Ana Remotely
Our law office is located in Beverly Hills at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, approximately 40 miles from Santa Ana. We represent Santa Ana workers through phone, video conferencing, and in‑person meetings at the Orange County Superior Court (Central Justice Center) or by appointment. We serve all of California from this single physical office.
Firm Background at a Glance
Setareh Law Group is an employment law firm founded in 1999 by Chaim Shaun Setareh (California Bar Number 204514), headquartered at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, representing employees throughout California in pregnancy discrimination, pregnancy disability leave violations, reasonable accommodation denials, wrongful termination, and retaliation cases. You can verify his bar status through the State Bar of California attorney search.
Major Employers in Santa Ana
Employer | Industry | Santa Ana Area Employees |
County of Orange | Government | 18,000+ |
Santa Ana Unified School District | Education | 4,500+ |
Kaiser Permanente Santa Ana | Healthcare | 2,000+ |
First American Financial | Financial Services | 3,000+ |
Amazon Santa Ana | Logistics | 2,500+ |
What Is Pregnancy Discrimination Under California Law?
Pregnancy discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Under California law, pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by FEHA. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces FEHA, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) provides federal protections.
What the law prohibits
- Refusing to hire a qualified applicant because she is pregnant
- Terminating an employee because she announced her pregnancy
- Demoting an employee or reducing her pay after pregnancy
- Denying promotions or training opportunities to pregnant employees
- Harassing an employee because of pregnancy
- Retaliating against an employee for requesting pregnancy accommodation
A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana can help you understand whether your situation qualifies as illegal discrimination. For more information, see our pregnancy discrimination lawyer and pregnancy discrimination in California pages.
Types of Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace
Pregnancy discrimination can take many forms. Recognizing these types can help you identify discrimination in your workplace.
Hiring discrimination
An employer refuses to hire a qualified applicant because she is pregnant or may become pregnant. The employer may assume she will need time off or will not be committed to the job.
Termination discrimination
An employer fires an employee shortly after she announces her pregnancy. The employer may claim performance issues that did not exist before the pregnancy announcement.
Denial of accommodation
An employer refuses to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy such as light duty, extra breaks, or time off for medical appointments. The employer may claim the accommodation is too burdensome.
Failure to reinstate
An employer refuses to return an employee to her same or equivalent position after pregnancy leave. The employer may claim the position was filled or eliminated.
Harassment
Coworkers or supervisors make offensive comments about pregnancy, ask inappropriate questions, or create a hostile environment for pregnant employees.
A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana can help you determine what type of discrimination you have experienced.
What Is Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)?
Pregnancy Disability Leave is a California law that provides specific protections for employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Key features of PDL
- Up to 4 months of leave per pregnancy
- Available to employees with employers of 5 or more employees
- No minimum hours or length of service requirement
- Leave may be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule
- Employer must reinstate employee to same or equivalent position
- Employer must continue health insurance coverage
Conditions covered by PDL
- Severe morning sickness
- Bed rest ordered by a health care provider
- Prenatal care appointments
- Recovery from childbirth including cesarean section
- Postpartum depression
- Other pregnancy related conditions
A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana can help you understand your rights under PDL. See our pregnancy disability leave California page for more details.
What Rights Do Breastfeeding Employees Have?
California law provides specific protections for breastfeeding employees. Employers cannot discriminate against employees who express milk at work. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also provides guidance on breastfeeding rights.
Breastfeeding rights under California law
- Employers must provide a reasonable amount of break time to express milk
- Employers must provide a private location that is not a bathroom
- The location must be close to the employee’s work area
- Employers cannot discriminate against employees for expressing milk
Accommodations for breastfeeding
- Flexible break times for milk expression
- Access to refrigeration for storing milk
- Privacy shields or designated lactation rooms
If your employer denied you the right to express milk at work, you may have a claim for pregnancy discrimination.
Is It Illegal to Be Asked If You Are Pregnant During an Interview?
Yes. Asking an applicant about pregnancy or plans to become pregnant is generally illegal under California law. The EEOC’s guidance on pregnancy discrimination confirms that such questions may be evidence of discrimination.
Questions employers cannot ask during interviews
- Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
- Do you have children or plan to have children?
- What are your child care arrangements?
- How will pregnancy affect your work schedule?
Why these questions are illegal
These questions are discriminatory because they are used to exclude women based on pregnancy. Employers who ask these questions may be trying to avoid providing pregnancy leave or accommodations.
How to File a Pregnancy Discrimination Claim
Filing a pregnancy discrimination claim requires following specific steps. A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana can handle all of this for you.
Steps to file a claim
- Document everything including dates, times, what was said or done, and witness names
- Save all evidence including emails, texts, performance reviews, and medical documentation
- Report the discrimination to HR in writing and keep a copy
- File a complaint with the Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years
- Obtain a right to sue notice from the CRD
- File a lawsuit in court within one year of the right to sue notice
Do not wait to contact a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana . Evidence disappears and deadlines pass quickly. See our how to file an HR complaint in CA page for more guidance.
Statute of Limitations for Pregnancy Discrimination Claims
Pregnancy discrimination claims have strict deadlines. Missing your deadline permanently bars you from suing your employer.
Deadlines for pregnancy discrimination claims
- FEHA claim with the CRD: 3 years from the discriminatory act under Government Code Section 12960
- PDL violation claim: 3 years from the violation
- CFRA violation claim: 2 years from the violation
- Federal PDA claim: 300 days to file with the EEOC
Do not wait. Contact a pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana immediately.
What Damages Can You Recover for Pregnancy Discrimination?
California law allows pregnancy discrimination victims to recover significant damages.
Types of compensation available
- Lost wages and benefits including all wages, bonuses, health insurance, and retirement contributions
- Front pay for future lost wages
- Emotional distress damages for anxiety, depression, humiliation, and sleep loss
- Punitive damages to punish your employer for malicious conduct
- Attorney fees and court costs which your employer pays if you win
- Reinstatement to your former position
- Interest on unpaid wages and benefits
Setareh Law Group has recovered over one billion dollars for California workers.
Local Resources for Pregnancy Discrimination in Santa Ana
Fact 1 The Orange County Superior Court Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701 handles civil employment cases for Santa Ana and all of Orange County.
Fact 2 The nearest DLSE Labor Commissioner office for Santa Ana workers is located at 28 Civic Center Plaza, Room 625, Santa Ana, CA 92701. This office investigates retaliation complaints and wage claims related to pregnancy discrimination. You can also file a California labor board complaint .
Fact 3 Orange County has over 1.6 million women in the workforce. Pregnancy discrimination claims have increased significantly in Santa Ana over the past five years.
Why Choose Setareh Law Group for Your Santa Ana Pregnancy Case
- Over one billion dollars recovered for California workers since 1999, including pregnancy discrimination, PDL violations, and retaliation cases.
- 25 plus years of employment law experience. Founding attorney Chaim Shaun Setareh (Bar Number 204514) has practiced exclusively in employment law since 1999.
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and CAALA.
- Licensed in all California federal courts, including the Central District of California which covers Santa Ana.
- Spanish speaking staff available. Hablamos Español.
- Contingency fee – you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win or settle your case. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing for our time. Read about the benefits of hiring an employment lawyer .
Areas We Serve Across California
Counties: Los Angeles | Orange County | San Diego | Riverside | San Bernardino | Ventura | Santa Barbara | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Sacramento | San Joaquin | Fresno | Kern | Stanislaus | Tulare | Monterey | Santa Clara | and every other county in the state.
Cities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Irvine, Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Stockton, and hundreds more.
FAQ's: Pregnancy Discrimination in Santa Ana
Is pregnancy disability leave paid?
PDL is unpaid, but employees may use accrued sick leave, vacation time, or other paid time off during PDL. Some employees may qualify for State Disability Insurance (SDI).
What if you have not recovered by four months of pregnancy disability leave?
You may request additional leave as a reasonable accommodation under FEHA or take CFRA bonding leave. A pregnancy discrimination attorney in Santa Ana can advise you.
What rights do breastfeeding employees have?
Employers must provide reasonable break time and a private location that is not a bathroom for milk expression. Employers cannot discriminate against breastfeeding employees.
Is it illegal to be asked if you are pregnant during an interview?
Yes. Asking about pregnancy or plans to become pregnant is generally illegal under California law.
Can my employer fire me for being pregnant?
No. Firing an employee because of pregnancy is illegal under FEHA and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
What accommodations can I request during pregnancy at work?
You can request light duty, more frequent breaks, modified schedules, ergonomic equipment, time off for medical appointments, and leave.
How long does a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit take?
Most cases take 12 to 24 months. Many settle during mediation or after depositions.
Does Setareh Law Group meet clients in Santa Ana?
Yes. By phone, video, or in person at the Central Justice Center or by appointment.
Take the Next Step
Contact us today:
📞 Phone: 310-888-7771
✉️ Email: help@setarehlaw.com
🌐 Address: 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills CA, 90210
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Consult with a qualified California employment attorney to discuss your individual situation.
Practice Areas:
Table of Contents
- verified by Trustindex
