UNDERSTANDING WRONGFUL TERMINATION

To be considered “wrongful,” an employee’s termination must violate their rights as outlined by federal and/or state law. It is not enough to prove that your employer fired you for no reason, because they did not like you, or for any other reason not protected by law.

Instead, to have a wrongful termination case, you will need to prove that at least one of the following is true:

• You were fired or let go due to discriminatory reasons (i.e., on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information).
• You were fired or let go in retaliation for reporting or opposing discrimination, sexual harassment, or other wrongful practices.
• You were fired or let go for participating in an investigation or lawsuit against the employer, or for whistleblowing (i.e., filing a qui tam claim).
• You were fired or let go after suffering a qualifying work-related injury and filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
• You were fired or let go in violation of an employment contract, the employer’s discipline policy, or another employment policy or contract.

If you are unsure whether you have a valid case, get in touch with the wrongful termination lawyers at Potts Law Firm. We can review the specifics of your situation and provide professional counsel tailored to your unique circumstances. There is no cost to you when you meet with our team.

HOW DOES “AT-WILL” EMPLOYMENT AFFECT WRONGFUL TERMINATION CASES?

In states that follow at-will employment, an employer can legally fire an employee for almost any reason. In fact, an employer can terminate someone’s employment for virtually no reason at all. This can make it very difficult to prove a wrongful termination case.

However, just because a state is an “at-will” state, that does not mean that employers can violate employees’ state or federal rights. Even in at-will states, employers may not fire or let an employee go for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons, nor can they break the conditions of an employment contract.

Unfortunately, many employers provide false reasons for terminating employment. If you suspect that your employer violated your rights in ending your employment, it is extremely important that you speak to someone knowledgeable in your state’s employment laws. At Potts Law Firm, our attorneys not only have an in-depth understanding of federal and state regulations, but they also have a long, proven track record of success in wrongful termination cases. We move quickly with these cases and fight tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights.

WHAT DAMAGES ARE AVAILABLE IN WRONGFUL TERMINATION CASES?

When you are fired or let go from your job, you face certain challenges. The most obvious of these challenges is the immediate loss of income resulting from losing your job, but there are others as well.

Depending on the circumstances, you may lose your access to health insurance, pensions, and other employment benefits. You may even find that your reputation has been irreparably damaged, and you may suffer significant emotional harm. When you file a wrongful termination lawsuit, you can seek fair financial compensation for these and other related damages.

Some types of damages commonly available in wrongful termination cases include:

• Lost income/wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of professional reputation
• Loss of future incomes, wages, and employment benefits
• Lost employment benefits
• Emotional distress
• Attorney/legal fees and related costs
• Reinstatement

You may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. While compensatory damages are meant to compensate victims for specific economic and non-economic losses (e.g., medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.), punitive damages are awarded in cases involving gross negligence, egregious misconduct, or willful/wanton behavior. Rather than compensate victims for specific losses, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for such conduct and send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.

Potts Law Firm team can evaluate your claim and provide insights into the types of damages you may be entitled to receive in your wrongful termination case. Our goal is to recover every penny you are owed, allowing you to heal and get back on your feet.