Protecting Healthcare Workers and Patients
We represent healthcare professionals and patients — not hospitals or systems — in employment discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, and civil rights claims arising in healthcare settings.
Healthcare workers in California are protected against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Title VII, and specifically against retaliation for reporting patient-safety concerns under Health and Safety Code § 1278.5. Patients are protected against discriminatory denial of care. Trujillo & Winnick LLP represents healthcare workers and patients — not hospitals or systems — in these matters.
Claims We Evaluate
Healthcare Employment: Discrimination & Harassment
Healthcare workers receive the same protections as employees in other industries. We evaluate discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, disability, age, or other protected characteristics under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in hospital and clinical settings.
Retaliation & Whistleblower Protection
Healthcare workers who report patient-safety concerns, workplace violations, or regulatory non-compliance are protected from retaliation. California provides specific protection for healthcare whistleblowers under Health and Safety Code § 1278.5, alongside the general whistleblower protection of Labor Code § 1102.5 and federal law.
Physician & Provider Employment and Peer Review
We evaluate disputes involving hospital employment agreements, medical staff privileges, and peer review actions under Business & Professions Code § 809, including a licensed provider’s right to fair procedure.
Patient Civil Rights
We evaluate claims for discriminatory denial of care and civil rights violations in institutional settings under the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code § 51), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination in health programs and activities.
Confidentiality
We handle these matters with strict confidentiality and in compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Civil Code § 56) and HIPAA.
How We Approach Healthcare Matters
Healthcare employment and civil rights matters often involve sensitive records, regulatory overlays, and institutional defendants. We evaluate each matter on its facts, preserve evidence, handle any required administrative steps, and pursue accountability on behalf of individual workers and patients.
Each matter is evaluated on its own facts. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice or a guarantee of results.
Interested in This Practice Area?
Intake for Healthcare Litigation cases is not yet open. Contact us to be added to our notification list, or to discuss your situation with our team.
Contact UsFrequently Asked Questions
What healthcare claims do you evaluate?
We evaluate employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims for healthcare professionals; whistleblower claims for reporting patient-safety concerns; patient civil rights claims; and related civil claims arising in hospital, clinic, and healthcare-system settings.
Are healthcare workers protected for reporting patient-safety concerns?
Yes. California Health and Safety Code § 1278.5 protects healthcare workers from retaliation for reporting patient-safety or quality-of-care concerns, and Labor Code § 1102.5 provides broader whistleblower protection. A worker facing discipline or termination after such a report may have a claim.
Do you represent hospitals or healthcare systems?
No. Our healthcare practice is focused on representing individuals — healthcare workers and patients — rather than hospitals or healthcare systems.
What protects patients from discrimination in healthcare?
Patients are protected against discriminatory denial of care under the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code § 51), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which bars discrimination in health programs and activities receiving federal funding.
What laws govern healthcare employment and civil rights claims?
Key frameworks include FEHA, Title VII, and the ADA for employment; Health and Safety Code § 1278.5 and Labor Code § 1102.5 for whistleblower retaliation; Business & Professions Code § 809 for peer review; and the Unruh Act and Affordable Care Act § 1557 for patient civil rights.