Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination is a serious issue that has the potential to derail your career and cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income. If you have been wrongfully terminated, there are several ways that you can file a legal claim against your employer to seek compensation for the damages that you have suffered as a result of this act of workplace aggression. However, filing a successful claim requires careful preparation and gathering evidence. Here are 5 facts you should know about wrongful termination to help prepare for your case.
The most important thing to remember about wrongful termination is that it is illegal. It can be difficult to prove wrongful termination when your employer fires you for no reason or for a non-legal reason, such as downsizing or restructuring. However, it is possible to find strong evidence of wrongful termination in cases where your employer violated employment laws or company policies when firing you. This can include violations of state or federal law pertaining to discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace.
One of the most common reasons for a wrongful termination claim is because an employee was fired due to discrimination against them or someone in their protected class. This includes categories such as age, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. A successful wrongful termination case will also contain evidence that the employer violated company policy or a promise made in an employment contract about the grounds for firing an employee.
5 Facts You Should Know About Wrongful Termination
Another reason for a wrongful termination lawsuit is retaliation against an employee who exposed illegal practices by the employer. Examples of this type of retaliation are firing an employee in response to a complaint of a sexually harassing workplace or firing an employee in response to the employee’s reporting of financial irregularities at the company.
In some states, the terms of employment are “at will,” which means that an employer can end the relationship at any time and without having to give a reason for ending it. However, employers must abide by the laws of their state and federal jurisdiction when it comes to discrimination or other violations when firing an employee.
Evidence that can support a claim of wrongful termination may include witness testimony, personnel files and previous performance reviews. Your attorney can review these documents to find any evidence of retaliation or other illegal activities in the workplace. The most critical piece of evidence, though, is any documentation that supports a claim of retaliation or other illegal treatment based on your protected status.
If you believe that you have been the victim of wrongful termination, it is crucial to speak with an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can assess your claim and provide a thorough evaluation of the evidence that supports it, determining whether you have a valid legal claim for damages. To get started, you can visit Super Lawyers and enter your location to be connected with a qualified attorney near you.
