Were you turned away, asked to leave, or treated worse because of who you are? The Unruh Civil Rights Act may give you a way to seek accountability.
You deserve equal service, and you do not have to sort this out alone.
How the Unruh Civil Rights Act protects you
Every California business open to the public must give full and equal service to everyone. That includes stores, restaurants, gyms, hotels, and banks.
The law protects people from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, language, and more. Courts have read it broadly to bar arbitrary discrimination, too—not just discrimination based on the traits listed here.
If a business discriminated against you, you may sue for at least $4,000 for each violation, plus actual damages and attorney fees. Actual damages can include money you lost because of what happened.
The business may have to pay your attorney fees. This can let lawyers take strong cases without charging you hourly bills.
Small steps can protect your claim
You do not need to know every legal rule to start. Save what you can now:
- Write down the date, time, location, names, and what was said.
- Save receipts, photos, and any video.
- Keep witnesses’ names and contact details, if available.
Claims have deadlines, so do not put this off. Request an Unruh Civil Rights Act case review. Tell us what happened, and we will tell you plainly whether it looks like a claim.
Talk to a California consumer protection lawyer
Taking one step now can help you understand your rights after unfair treatment. Get your free case review or call (424) 603-8888.
This article is attorney advertising and provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The law changes, and this article reflects the law as of its publication date. Every situation is different — send us your papers to discuss how the law applies to your exact situation. See our full disclaimer.
