Wrongfully Terminated? Here’s How a Labor Attorney Can Assist

Wrongful Termination Guide:

Losing a job is stressful. Losing it for the wrong reasons is devastating. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, a labor law attorney can clarify your rights, evaluate your options, and help you pursue justice. This guide explains what wrongful termination is, how a lawyer can support your case, and what to do next.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination happens when an employer fires an employee in violation of the law or an employment agreement. Common examples include:

• Discrimination based on protected characteristics (race, sex, age 40+, disability, religion, national origin, pregnancy)
• Retaliation for reporting harassment, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions
• Termination for taking protected leave (e.g., FMLA, military leave)
• Firing for whistleblowing or refusing to engage in illegal activity
• Breach of an employment contract or implied covenant of good faith
• Violations of wage-and-hour protections or labor codes tied to termination

A labor law attorney can determine if the facts of your situation fit any of these categories and identify the best path forward.

How a Labor Law Attorney Can Help

A skilled labor law attorney will:

• Assess Your Case: Review your employment history, performance reviews, emails, texts, and policies to evaluate legal claims.
• Preserve Evidence: Send legal hold letters to your employer to protect relevant documents, logs, and communications.
• Guide Your Next Steps: Advise on whether to file with the EEOC or state agency, pursue arbitration, or file a lawsuit.
• Handle Filings & Deadlines: Prepare complaints, agency charges, and court documents accurately and on time.
• Negotiate Strategically: Seek a fair settlement that may include back pay, front pay, reinstatement, benefits, and attorney fees.
• Litigate if Necessary: Build a strong case through discovery, depositions, and trial if a settlement isn’t fair.
• Protect You From Retaliation: Counsel you on your rights if your former employer attempts to interfere with your job search or benefits.

What to Do Immediately After You’re Fired:

1. Document Everything: Write a timeline of events, including dates, conversations, and who was present.

2. Save Records: Keep offer letters, contracts, handbooks, performance reviews, emails, and messages.

3. Request Your Personnel File: In many states, you have a right to review or receive copies.

4. Avoid Signing Away Rights: Don’t sign severance agreements or releases without having a labor law attorney review them.

5. Limit Public Statements: Be cautious on social media; your posts can be used against you.

6. Track Your Job Search: Keep records of applications and interviews to substantiate mitigation of damages.

Take Action: Protect Your Rights

You don’t have to navigate this alone. A knowledgeable labor law attorney can help you understand your options, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you deserve. If you suspect you were wrongfully terminated, contact Weinberg & Weinberg LLP in Houston, TX to schedule a consultation to get clear, personalized guidance.