My Employer For Wrongful Termination
Many people work “at-will,” which means that their employers can fire them for any reason. However, some firings are illegal and can be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. If you have been fired for a reason that violated a state or federal employment law, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you’ve suffered.
You can sue your employer for wrongful termination if you can prove they acted unfairly when firing you. For example, they could have failed to follow the terms of your contract, misled you about your chances for promotions, fabricated a reason to fire you, or transferred you to a dangerous place or position in order to frighten you into quitting. You may also have a case if you were fired in violation of a public policy, such as using certain types of leave, taking time off to vote or serve jury duty, or filing for workers’ compensation.
It is also illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee in any way, including firing them, after the employee engages in protected activities like reporting illegal activity or making complaints about workplace harassment. For instance, your employer cannot fire you for refusing to make sales calls or report your medical history to a genetic testing company (even if that information is confidential).
Can I Sue My Employer For Wrongful Termination?
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, the first step is to contact an experienced employment attorney for help determining whether or not you have a strong case. Your attorney will be able to advise you of the specific laws that were violated and help you gather evidence, such as performance evaluations, emails or messages related to your termination, witness statements, and other documents. It is also a good idea to keep track of any conversations with your employer that could be relevant.
A wrongful termination suit can be difficult to win, but your attorney will work with the other side’s attorneys to determine if it is in their best interest to settle. This can save you the time and expense of going to trial.
If the other side does not want to settle, your attorney can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or its equivalent agency. The EEOC will investigate your claim and may provide you with a “right to sue” letter that lets you proceed with a lawsuit against your former employer.
When choosing an attorney for your wrongful termination suit, look at their track record of success and communicate with several lawyers to see which one makes you feel most comfortable and confident about the outcome of your case. The right lawyer can help you recover damages that include lost wages, emotional distress, medical bills, and expenses incurred from job searching. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to receive compensatory and punitive damages. A successful wrongful termination lawsuit can restore your dignity, give you peace of mind, and allow you to get back to your normal life.