Termination from a job can be trying, frustrating, and downright worrisome, especially if you feel that you have been terminated wrongfully. Knowing what wrongful termination is and how to combat it can make a huge difference in your overall position and can help you get your job back or get the compensation that you need. The right Tampa wrongful termination attorney can help you get your job back or can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination is defined as termination that is against the law or that has not been carried out legally. You cannot be fired for no reason in most cases, and in many states, employers are required to give a reason for termination so that you can determine if it was legal or if there are further actions that must be taken.
Wrongful termination can be very off-putting and it can make it very hard to move on and find a new job. If you feel that you have been wrongfully terminated, it is always best to talk to an attorney about what your options are and what you need to do to ensure that you are treated fairly and that you were not terminated for a reason that does require legal action on your part.
What Are Some Examples of Wrongful Termination?
There are a few different instances in which an employer can get into trouble for firing you and that can be classified as wrongful termination. The first is discrimination. If an employer fires you due to your race, age, sex, if you become pregnant, your nation of origin, your marital status, any disability that you might have, your religion, or your sexual orientation, they are discriminating and they do need to be held accountable.
If you were fired as a result of discrimination, you can file a discrimination suit, and you are entitled to your job back, or a monetary settlement. If your employer has more than 15 employees, you are protected from discrimination and you can sue if you can prove that this was the terms of your termination. In some counties in Florida, the number of minimum employees is 5.
Your employer cannot terminate you as a result of pointing out or objecting to any sort of discrimination that you might be dealing with or that you have seen others dealing with in your workplace. Your employer cannot fire you for refusing to participate in discrimination, they cannot fire you for filing a worker’s comp claim, and they cannot fire you for filing a claim against them.
On top of that, your employer cannot fire you for taking time off for medical reasons, disability, medical conditions for family, or death in the family as well. You cannot be fired for being owed overtime or wages that have not been paid. You cannot be fired for testifying against an employer if you are called to court, and more.
These are all reasons for which an employer can be sued for damages and they can also be sued to give you your job back if you want it. If you feel that you have been fired for a cause that is not just, it is always best to take the time to speak with a lawyer about what options you have and about what your next steps should be.
Why Hire a Lawyer?
A lawyer in a wrongful termination suit is always a good idea and is always a must. Taking the time to speak with a lawyer from the start is going to help you get a good case and is also going to help you figure out what you need to have in order to get your case taken care of.
Your lawyer is going to work with you to look at the particulars of the termination and any termination paperwork that might have been given to you when you were let go. They will also conduct interviews with you, your former employer, and more. they will also look over your employment contract, any HR complaints that you might have put forth, and they will take the time to build a solid case based on the circumstances of your termination.
Unless you know legal terminology or unless you know how to build a solid case for your claim, you do need a lawyer on your side to really help you get a solid case that is going to be airtight and that is going to help you get the settlement and the outcome that you want. In most cases, companies are going to work to settle these cases out of court to help avoid negative press, to avoid having to pay for court fees, and to avoid having to take time off to really get the case taken care of.
With the help of a lawyer, you can worry less, focus on getting the settlement and the overall help that you need, and you can certainly rest knowing that you may very well get a settlement or at the very least, get your job back. No employer has the right to terminate your job without just cause and without letting you know why they have let you go.
It can be difficult to traverse the world of wrongful termination, but with the help of a great lawyer you can get things done and you can get your case moved forward toward a resolution. Wrongful termination is a terrible thing and lawyers can help you get the settlement you need and the overall outcome that is going to work best for you all around.
