Shegerian & Associates Founder Urges California Employees to Step Forward Regarding Unsafe Working Conditions

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law
firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement aimed at all
employees in light of a recent news story regarding a worker killed by a
cardboard crushing machine in the Los Angeles area.

The worker, 64-year-old Efren Monterroso, was inside the compactor at a North
Hills factory when it somehow was turned on, crushing him. Exact details of the
case are still under investigation, and questions about the safety of the
machine are being raised by the media and employee advocacy groups.

Shegerian, who has represented wrongfully terminated "whistleblowers" throughout
his career, stresses that it is crucially important for individuals aware of
unsafe conditions in their workplace to come forward as lives may be at stake.
Shegerian said that many are aware of dangerous conditions but refuse to come
forward for fear of being fired.

"California workers are protected by law," said Shegerian. "It is actually
illegal for someone to be fired or harassed for reporting safety violations."

Shegerian cites the case of one of his own "whistleblower" clients who two years
ago was fired for complaining to her employer about safety concerns regarding
some unsafe conditions and dangerous machines. Shegerian represented the woman
and helped her file a wrongful termination claim, and she was awarded $9.2
million.

"The real problem is that people are frightened to report safety hazards - even
if it means leaving themselves and their coworkers at risk," said Shegerian. "As
employees in this state, these workers have a right to report these safety
concerns and not feel any negative repercussions from their employers."

"This is more of a concern now than ever," said Shegerian. "With the budgetary
crunch our government is now experiencing, the policing of corporations for
major safety violations is poor at best. Every day, millions of American workers
operate dangerous and unsafe machinery. While California and Federal OSHA
standards exist to help protect them, they are not being enforced. Many workers
are left to their own peril when operating heavy, often outdated, unsafe
machinery, while corporations look the other way to save money on repairs and
replacement costs in the name of profit."

"The bottom line here," said Shegerian, "is that all employees have a right to
work in a safe environment and not be discriminated against or wrongfully
terminated if they speak up about some aspect of the job that is not safe. We
really don`t want to see more unnecessary situations such as the one involving
Mr. Monterroso."

As an experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried numerous jury trials in
both state and federal court, always representing individuals that have suffered
financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including
major corporations.

Located in the City of Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm
specifically focused on protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged
by their employers.Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing
an unparalleled success record as litigators, Shegerian & Associates is
passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more
information, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com. To arrange a media interview, contact
Paul Williams at 949-916-6880 or via medialine2@aol.com.

Shegerian & Associates
Paul Williams, 949-916-6880
MediaLine@aol.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009