Protecting South Jersey Workers for Over 35 Years

When you need time to care for your health or your family, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects your job. But many South Jersey workers find their rights ignored. Leave requests are denied, jobs disappear, or employers make returning to work unbearable.

Federal law and New Jersey law guarantee unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. If your employer interferes with that right or retaliates against you for taking leave, they are breaking the law.

At Castellani Law, we fight for South Jersey employees who have been punished for exercising their FMLA rights. From hospitals in Camden to schools in Gloucester County and casinos in Atlantic City, we stand with workers across the region.

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What Is FMLA Leave?

The FMLA is a federal law that gives eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year. Qualifying reasons include:

The birth of a child or bonding with a newborn
Adoption or foster care placement
Caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition
Your own serious health condition that prevents you from working
Certain needs tied to a family member’s military service

Employers cannot deny these rights or punish you for using them.

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Types of FMLA Cases We Handle in South Jersey

‍Denied FMLA leave despite eligibility (e.g. Such as a hospital worker in Northfield or Galloway told they don’t qualify when they meet all requirements)‍
Fired or laid off while on leave (e.g. Teachers, casino staff, or retail employees in Atlantic City losing their jobs while on approved leave)‍
Demoted or given reduced pay after leave (e.g. Workers in South Jersey returning to a lesser role after family or medical leave)‍
Punished for requesting leave ( e.g. Warehouse or manufacturing employees in Gloucester County or Cape May County written up or harassed for applying for leave)‍
Blocked from reinstatement to the same or equal position (e.g. Employees in Cape May County or Burlington County who return from leave only to find their job given to someone else)

These actions are unlawful. If this happened to you, you may have a claim under FMLA and New Jersey employment law.

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Why Choose Our South Jersey FMLA Lawyers

FMLA violations strike at workers when they are most vulnerable, while caring for a child, supporting a sick parent, or recovering from illness. Losing your paycheck or position during this time can devastate your family.

Here’s why so many people choose Castellani Law Firm:

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People-Focused Services

At Castellani Law, people come before paperwork. We listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and keep you updated every step of the way. Our attorneys review your eligibility, identify where your rights may have been violated, and gather the records and evidence needed to build your case. We fight for lost wages, benefits, and fair compensation, and if your employer refuses to do what’s right, we’re prepared to take them to court. Our family-run firm has stood with South Jersey workers, and employers know that when they face David Castellani, the case is trial-ready from the start.

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Proven Results For South Jersey Workers

‍We’ve been doing this long enough to know that real success comes from real effort. Over the years, we’ve secured favorable settlements, large verdicts, and brought justice to workers who were mistreated or wronged in the workplace. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, but we’re always looking for the next chance to help someone just like you.

$8.0 Million Settlement secured for a school sexual abuse case in South Jersey.

$3.0 Million Settlement secured for a victim of corporate negligence and misconduct in Atlantic City.
$1.5 Million Settlement secured for sexual abuse/hostile work environment victim.‍
$280,000 Settlement secured for a CEPA whistleblower claim.

$210,000 Settlement secured for a wrongful termination victim.
$110,000 Settlement secured for a wrongful termination client in South Jersey.

(Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on the unique facts and circumstances of your case. Past case results are not a guarantee of future outcomes, and should not create an expectation that similar results can be achieved in your matter.)

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A Proven Force In South Jersey Courtrooms

There’s no substitute for courtroom experience. When you need a lawyer who isn’t afraid to go up against the big corporations or powerful employers, we’re ready. We’ve been in South Jersey’s courtrooms time and time again, and we’ve built a reputation for being tough, strategic, and relentless when it comes to fighting for our clients. If your case needs to go to trial, we’ll be there prepared, focused, and committed to winning.

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Locally Trusted And Backed By 35 Years Of Experience

For over 35 years, we’ve served South Jersey families, workers, and individuals. We know the local court system, the key players, and the ins and outs of local employment law. Our deep ties to the community help us provide personalized, knowledgeable service that big-city law firms simply can’t match.

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NJ Civil Trial Lawyer Certified By The NJ Supreme Court

David Castellani is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, a title earned by fewer than 2.5% of lawyers in the state. This certification reflects years of experience, proven trial skill, and success in handling complex cases before juries. It is one of the highest recognitions a trial lawyer in New Jersey can receive. For clients, it means you can trust that David Castellani has the courtroom knowledge and preparation to fight for the best possible outcome.

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Your Local South Jersey FMLA Attorneys

We proudly represent workers across:

‍Atlantic County – Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic City, Galloway, Hammonton, and Northfield‍
Burlington County – Mount Laurel, Evesham, Willingboro, Burlington Township‍
Camden County – Camden, Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Gloucester Township‍
Cape May County – Middle Township, Ocean City, Wildwood, Lower Township‍
Cumberland County – Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Fairfield Township‍
Gloucester County – Washington Township, Deptford, Glassboro, Monroe Township‍
Salem County – Pennsville, Salem, Carneys Point, Pittsgrove

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify for FMLA leave in South Jersey?

Not every employee is covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act, but many South Jersey workers are.

To qualify, you must:
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1. Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months (the months don’t have to be back-to-back)
2. Have put in at least 1,250 hours of work during the 12 months before your leave starts
3. Work at a job site where your employer has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius

‍If you meet these requirements, your employer must give you job-protected leave for covered family and medical reasons. When companies ignore these rules or punish employees for using their leave, our family at Castellani Law is ready to step in and protect your rights.

Am I entitled to get paid while I am on medical leave?

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, your employer is not required to pay you while you are out on protected medical leave. The law guarantees that your job is secure, but the leave itself is unpaid.

In New Jersey, many workers may qualify for state disability insurance benefits during a medical leave. You can also use any paid time off you’ve earned, such as vacation or sick days, to cover some of the leave. Some employers go further by offering their own paid medical leave policies or providing short-term disability insurance.

At Castellani Law, we help South Jersey employees understand what financial support may be available while they are away from work, and we step in when employers break the rules.

Can my employer fire me while I’m on FMLA leave?

No. FMLA prohibits firing or punishing you for taking leave. If you were let go, you may have a claim.

What damages can I recover in an FMLA case?

You may be entitled to lost pay, reinstatement, lost benefits, and in some cases, double damages.

What if my employer denies my request for FMLA leave in NJ?

If you meet the legal requirements and your request is valid, your employer cannot deny it. If they do, it may be unlawful, and our team at Castellani Law is ready to step in, protect your rights, and fight to make it right.