It is important to be in the know and aware of your rights. Below are some resources you may find helpful.
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
This is the state agency whose aim it is to protect Californians from illegal discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The website provides important information on matters such as harassment in the workplace, disability leave and reasonable accommodation, and provides access to laws and regulations such as those under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Unruh Civil Rights Act. Filing a complaint with DFEH and obtaining a “right to sue” letter is also the first step in initiating a legal action against a current or former employer for discrimination or harassment, and it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to make sure you perform this process properly and thoroughly and do not inadvertently bar or preclude yourself from obtaining what you are owed from your employer.
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The State of California Employment Development Department oversees state programs involving unemployment insurance, disability insurance, payroll tax collection, and job training/ workforce services. Through the website, you can find out about EDD’s different programs and whether you are eligible, as well as access helpful information if you are seeking a new job.
California Department of Insurance Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations
This is where you can find the laws California has enacted outlining what insurance companies must and cannot do. The regulations are intended to protect you, the policyholder, and the website allows you to file a consumer complaint as well.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Recalls.gov
Both sites provide important information to consumers on unsafe, hazardous, or defective products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also provides helpful information on making your own home safer for you, your family, and visitors, and allows consumers to report unsafe products.
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Source of consumer news alerts and information on various matters from your rights as to wages or discrimination or retaliation by a landlord (this may often occur when an injury claim is presented, and it is important to have an attorney on your side to protect you).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides important information to the public to prevent disease, injury, and disability, from information on pedestrian and motor vehicle safety to spotting a traumatic brain injury (whether from a fall, car accident, or sports injury).
California Department of Motor Vehicles
It is important to know the rules of the road. The California Department of Motor Vehicles website provides access to the most recent California Driver Handbook in various languages, as well as information on issues like airbag recalls and new bills and legal requirements which may affect you.
Los Angeles Superior Court
Here, you can familiarize yourself with the Court, access resources that provide important information if you are the victim of abuse or facing legal issues affecting your family or children, or search for your own case through the website’s Civil Case Summary.
State Bar of California
As California’s bar association, the State Bar manages the admission of lawyers to the practice of law and oversees misconduct and discipline. The website also provides legal information on a wide variety of topics, including driving information (what to do if you have an accident) and employee rights, and provides educational pamphlets for both adults and children.