If you have recently lost your job due to unfair or suspicious circumstances, you might have legal recourse. If you were discharged even though you were meeting all of the work performance requirements, you may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful termination lawsuit. The Law Office of Joel A. Levine in Austin TX represents people like you who work hard for a living and have lost their employment positions through unfair or illegal business practices. We will consider all angles of your circumstance to help you determine what legal actions are available to you. We work with you to protect your employee rights.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
There are federal and state laws that preserve your employee rights against unfair treatment. Each state has different laws, but none of them interfere with federal employment requirements. Texas is a right-to-work state, which means you can be fired at will from your job for any reason or for no reason. The law draws the line in just three circumstances. Your employer can’t dismiss you from your job based on discrimination, in retaliation for exercising your legal rights or in violation of your contract. If you believe this has happened, it’s important to speak with an employment lawyer to find out if your rights have been violated.
Discrimination
It’s against Texas law for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on color, national origin, religion, race, sex, age, genetic information or disability. While difficult to prove in a court of law, an experienced and competent wrongful termination lawyer can sort through the facts and circumstances and help to bring your case to a close with the best possible outcome.
Retaliation
Employees who have been through the Equal Opportunity Employment grievance process or a wrongful termination claim might feel awkward about returning to work after a decision has been made. Part of what makes the process work is that your employer legally can’t retaliate against you. You can’t be punished or treated differently if you sue for wrongful termination or hire a lawyer to preserve your employee rights.
Contracts
A written or verbal agreement is considered a contract. You and your employer are both required to follow it. You can be dismissed if you do not follow the guidelines. For example, being late for work, refusing to accept a different employment position and violating the dress code can disqualify you from making a claim of wrongful termination.
Other Exceptions to Wrongful Discharge
Texas law also protects employees from termination if they refuse to perform illegal acts, if they report illegal or fraudulent activities at the company, exercise rights to take leave or request special treatment to accommodate disabilities.
Choosing a Wrongful Termination Lawyer
If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed from your job, it’s helpful to talk to an attorney about your rights. Choose an experienced wrongful termination lawyer who is eligible to practice in Travis County and Central Texas and is familiar with the local court system. It’s also important to select legal counsel with strong negotiation, mediation and arbitration skills who isn’t shy about pursuing a lawsuit inside the courtroom when necessary. At The Law Office of Joel A. Levine, Travis County Personal Injury Lawyer, we take employee rights seriously. We are familiar with the local court systems and handle wrongful termination cases with competence in and out of the courtroom.
Understanding the Process
There’s a lot of detail involved in a wrongful termination lawsuit. You’ll need to provide background details to your lawyer such as the name and location of your former employer, your employment dates and qualifications for your position. Locate copies of any contracts and paperwork you signed related to your employment. Be prepared to produce employee handbooks, attendance records and pay advices or stubs. Think about proof of conduct and any incidents related to any allegations you make against your former employer. You’ll need to narrow down dates, locations and names of witnesses of any related incidents if you decide to pursue legal action.
Compensation
For workers who have been wrongfully terminated, there are several different types of compensation available. Every case is different, and your case may be settled before it ever reaches trial. The important thing to consider in matters of wrongful discharge is what would have to happen to make things right for you. You might be eligible to receive monetary compensation, collect back pay or be reinstated. Before you decide to pursue a claim, think about what the issues and solutions are. It might help to discuss the circumstances with a competent wrongful termination lawyer who has experience in mediation, litigation and settlement negotiations.
Getting Help in Central Texas
If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, The Law Office of Joel A. Levine may be able to help. Our office is located in Austin TX and handles cases for people who live, work or were employed by businesses in Central Texas. Contact us today to set up no cost consultation appointment.
