Every state has some variation of the at-will employment doctrine, which gives both employers and employees the right to end a working relationship at any time and for just about any reason. An employer can let a worker go to lower labor costs, while an employee does not have to give notice to start another job that pays a higher salary. However, employers cannot break the law when terminating a worker. When an employer unlawfully fires an employee, the employer has committed an act of wrongful termination.
If an employer illegally fired you, an attorney can help you receive compensation for a wrongful termination claim.
What is Wrongful Termination?
An employer that violates a state or federal law when firing a worker has committed an act of wrongful termination. The most common cause of wrongful termination is discrimination. According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers cannot discriminate against workers based on several factors, such as race, gender, and religion. If you feel your employer fired you because a discriminatory reason, you should contact a wrongful termination attorney.
Employers cannot terminate workers as an act of retaliation. One of the most frequent types of retaliation occurs when a whistleblower informs a government agency about a company violating state or federal law. When employees sign an employment contract, employers must follow the terms stipulated in the contract. Finally, employers must honor the provisions written into the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
What Documents Do I Need to Bring?
Before you meet with a lawyer to discuss a wrongful termination claim, you should prepare for the meeting by organizing important documents. If you worked under an employment contract, you need to bring a copy of the contract to the meeting. Employment records, such as timesheets and performance reviews, can establish the type of worker you were before your employer fired you. Copies of medical records demonstrate why you have missed work. If an accident caused you to miss time at work, a copy of the formal incident report can support your wrongful termination case.
Many employers leave behind incriminating digital evidence, such as emails, text messages, and comments left on social media sites. Make sure you provide your wrongful termination lawyer with information that allows the litigator to access digital sources.
What Will We Discuss When Meeting With a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?
A free case evaluation allows both you and a wrongful termination lawyer to discuss your case. You should confirm the experience level of the litigator, while the attorney reviews the evidence you have submitted to determine the strength of a wrongful termination claim. Asks about how the lawyer charges legal fees, which for a wrongful termination case should be on a contingency fee basis if you decide to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages.
After reviewing your case, the wrongful termination lawyer determines how to approach litigating a claim. Your input matters when it comes to deciding how to recover the financial losses caused by an act of wrongful termination.
Get the Legal Support That You Deserve
An employer that breaks the law when firing a worker should be held legally accountable. If your former employer refuses to negotiate a settlement, the course of legal action you might take is filing a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages.
Schedule a free case evaluation today with a wrongful termination lawyer.
