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Protecting Your Right to Take Time Off Without Retaliation

When life demands your attention—due to illness, pregnancy, or family care—federal and state leave laws protect your right to step away from work without fear of job loss or retaliation.

Unfortunately, employers don’t always follow the law.

At Best Employment Lawyer, our experienced FMLA lawyers, CFRA attorneys, and medical leave attorneys represent workers across California and Nevada who were denied leave, pressured to return early, or punished for exercising their rights.

If you’ve been mistreated for requesting or taking family or medical leave, we’re here to fight for you. Contact us for a confidential consultation to explore your options and protect your job, health, and income.

What Is Protected Medical Leave?

Federal Law: FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)

Under the FMLA, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for:

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Serious health conditions (yours or a family member’s)
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Military family leave
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Childbirth and bonding with a new child
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Certain qualifying exigencies

FMLA applies to private employers with 50+ employees and all public employers.

California Law: CFRA (California Family Rights Act)

The CFRA offers similar protections to the FMLA but with broader coverage:

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Applies to employers with just 5 or more employees
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Covers a wider range of family members
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No longer includes pregnancy disability leave (handled separately under PDL)

New York Law: NYPFL (New York Paid Family Leave)

For workers in New York, NYPFL provides paid leave for:

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Caring for a seriously ill family member
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Bonding with a new child
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Supporting loved ones during military deployment

NYPFL provides wage replacement and job protection, typically funded through employee payroll deductions.

Who’s Eligible for Medical Leave?

Eligibility for FMLA/CFRA/NYPFL generally requires:

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A certain length of service (usually 12 months)
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A minimum number of hours worked
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Employment by a covered employer
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A qualifying reason for leave
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Adequate notice and documentation

Even if you don’t meet technical requirements, other laws—like the ADA or Pregnancy Disability Leave law—may still entitle you to time off.

Our leave of absence lawyers will review your situation and help you assert your rights under the law.

Common Violations We Handle

Too many employers ignore or violate medical leave laws—often hoping workers won’t know their rights. We help you stand up when your employer:

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Denies or ignores your leave request
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Refuses to reinstate you after leave
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Terminates or demotes you for taking leave
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Pressures you to return before you're ready
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Miscounts leave time or mishandles documentation
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Retaliates for requesting leave or lodging complaints
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Fails to inform you of your rights or obligations

If any of this sounds familiar, speak to an FMLA retaliation attorney today.

Our Legal Services for Employees

We represent employees across California and Nevada in all types of family and medical leave disputes. Our services include:

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Review of your leave rights under FMLA, CFRA, NYPFL, and ADA
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Employer communication and demand letters
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Representation in retaliation and wrongful termination cases
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Reinstatement and back pay claims
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Disability and pregnancy accommodation guidance
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Mediation, agency complaints, or litigation

Whether you need legal advice or courtroom advocacy, our family and medical leave lawyers are here to help you reclaim what’s rightfully yours.

Employer Compliance Support

We also work with employers to ensure compliance with leave laws and prevent exposure to costly claims. Our team advises on:

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Employee eligibility and documentation requirements
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oordination between FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and NYPFL
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Return-to-work and job protection obligations
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Training HR teams on proper leave handling
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Defending against wrongful termination or retaliation allegations

If you're an employer navigating complex leave laws, trust our experience to keep your operations compliant and your workforce protected.

Legal Remedies for Wrongful Denial or Retaliation

Employees wrongfully denied medical leave or punished for taking it may be entitled to:

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Reinstatement to your former role
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Back pay and lost benefits
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Compensation for emotional distress
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Statutory penalties and damages
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Attorney’s fees and litigation costs

In serious cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. We’ll help you build a strong case and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.

Who We Represent

Employees:

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Workers denied FMLA or CFRA leave
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Pregnant workers needing time off under PDL
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Caregivers seeking time for family medical needs
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Employees fired or demoted after taking leave
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Workers confused by leave laws or misinformed by HR
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Lactation accommodation rights

Employers:

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Startups and growing companies unsure of their obligations
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Businesses seeking compliance strategies across multiple states
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HR teams managing complex or overlapping leave requests
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Employers facing wrongful termination or retaliation claims

With dual experience representing both sides, we deliver balanced, strategic solutions.

Why Choose Best Employment Lawyer?

Family and medical leave laws are complex - but we’ve mastered them. Clients turn to us because we offer:

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Decades of experience in employment law and litigation
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Specialized knowledge of FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and NYPFL rules
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Real-world experience guiding both employees and employers
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Personalized legal strategy for sensitive matters
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Practical, prompt, and effective solutions

We help you focus on your health or family - without sacrificing your job security.

Speak With a Medical Leave Lawyer Today

If your employer denied your leave, retaliated against you, or failed to follow the law, don’t stay silent. Your job, income, and health deserve protection.

Contact Best Employment Lawyer today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an FMLA lawyer, CFRA attorney, or leave of absence lawyer serving California and Nevada.

Let us help you take the time you need—and fight for what you’re owed.

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This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

An attorney-client relationship can only be established through personal consultation and the execution of a written retainer agreement. Please do not send any confidential information to us until an attorney-client relationship has been established.

Furthermore, the mere submission of an email to BestRELawyer.com or one of its lawyers does not alone create an attorney-client relationship. A conflict of interest analysis must be performed by us before an attorney-client relationship can commence.