Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Lawyer in El Paso
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that protects employees who need time off from work to handle serious family or medical issues. Under the FMLA, eligible employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for qualified reasons. During this time, your employer cannot fire you, demote you, cut your pay, or retaliate against you for exercising your rights. They are also required to hold your job—or an equivalent position—for you until you return.
Unfortunately, many employees face challenges when trying to use their FMLA rights. Employers may deny requests, misclassify employees, or retaliate against workers who need leave. If you believe your rights under the FMLA have been violated, The Law Office of Jorge Luis Rivas, Jr. can review your case and fight to protect you.
What Situations Qualify for FMLA Leave?
You may be entitled to take FMLA leave for:
-Birth and care of a newborn child
-Placement of a child through adoption or foster care
-Caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition
-Recovering from your own serious illness, injury, or medical condition
-Military family leave – caring for an injured service member or handling qualifying military-related demands
How Can an FMLA Lawyer Help You?
If your employer has denied your FMLA leave, retaliated against you, or terminated your employment after requesting time off, an experienced FMLA lawyer can help. Employment law is complex, and employers often try to avoid compliance. A lawyer can:
Your Rights When Returning from FMLA Leave
When your FMLA leave ends, your employer must reinstate you with:
-The same pay you earned before taking leave
-The same benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.) you had before leave
-The same job duties you performed before, or equivalent responsibilities
-The same or similar work schedule (shift, hours, and location)
If you are still recovering from an illness or injury, your employer may also need to provide reasonable accommodations under disability laws.
Protecting Your Job and Family
Taking care of your health or your loved ones should not cost you your career. If your employer refuses to approve FMLA leave, punishes you for requesting it, or fails to reinstate you properly, legal help is available.
At The Law Office of Jorge Luis Rivas, Jr., we represent employees in El Paso and throughout Texas who have faced FMLA violations. We are committed to standing up for workers and ensuring that your rights under state and federal law are enforced.
