Wrongful termination
Fired for a reason the law doesn't allow
Most jobs are at will, so an employer can end one for almost any reason. Almost.
It can't fire you because of your race, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin. It can't fire you for taking protected medical leave, filing a workers' comp claim, reporting a safety problem or refusing to break the law. And it can't ignore a contract it signed with you.
Employers rarely write down the real reason. The letter says performance, or restructuring. We look at the timing, the paperwork and who took over your work, which is usually where the real reason shows.
Where the real reason shows up
The timing
What happened in the weeks before: a complaint, a leave request, an injury, a birthday.
Your reviews
Years of good evaluations, then a sudden write-up, tell their own story.
Who replaced you
Someone younger, or outside your group, now doing the same work.
The severance offer
What it pays, what it asks you to give up, and the deadline to sign.
The handbook
Steps the company promised in writing and skipped before letting you go.
How others were treated
Coworkers who broke the same rule and kept their jobs.
Firing questions
My employer offered severance. Should I sign it?
Not yet. A severance agreement almost always asks you to give up every claim you have. Sometimes the offer is fair; sometimes it's a fraction of what the claims are worth. We'll read it with you, usually before the deadline, at no charge.
How long do I have to do something?
Less time than most people think. Some claims have to be filed with a government agency within months of the firing. Call as soon as you can, so a deadline doesn't decide the case for you.
Can I collect unemployment while we talk?
Yes, apply right away. Unemployment benefits are separate from a legal claim, and applying rarely hurts one.
Let go and not sure why?
Bring the termination letter, any severance offer and your last few reviews. We'll go through them with you for free.
No attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Case costs, like filing fees and deposition transcripts, are separate; your written agreement says who pays them and when.