Wrongful Termination

Florida is a right to work state, however this does not mean that employees can be wrongfully terminated for something that is beyond their control. When this happens, the employer may be in violation of certain Florida and federal employment laws that protect workers from wrongful terminations.

If you have been unfairly fired from your position, don’t lose hope – you may have more options than you think. Our Florida Wrongful Termination Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you by starting a prompt investigation into your employer as well as the reason for your termination. If we find that you were let go for illegal reasons, we will make sure your employer is held responsible for your lost wages and hardship. You need someone who will stand up for your rights, and we have the experiences and resources to do so—just call us at 866-608-5529 or fill out a free initial consultation form.

Types of Wrongful Terminations

Terminations may be classified as wrongful if they involve any of the following actions:

Discrimination

Employers who discriminate against their employees based on their race, nationality, religion, sex, age, and even disability status could be in violation of state and federal laws.

Retaliation

There are various reasons an employer may retaliate against an employee and terminate them, including:

• If an employee filed a workers’ compensation claim
• The employee reported an illegal behavior
• If the employee filed a claim against his or her employer due to sexual harassment, discrimination, or even a hostile work environment
• If any of the above scenarios occurred, the employee could be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation due to being wrongfully let go from employment.

Illness

The Family and Medical Leave Act, more commonly abbreviated as FMLA, gives employees up to 12 weeks unpaid leave so that they can recover from illnesses or injuries. Should an employer fire a worker while they are on FMLA leave, the company could very well be in violation of the law. In cases like these, we can help you pursue a claim to recover maximum compensation.

What to Do If You Think You Have Been Wrongfully Terminated

If you believe you have been let go for illegal reasons, you must protect yourself and the right to file a legal claim. With that said, you should use the list below to serve as a guideline for how to appropriately handle the situation:

1. Never retaliate against your employer. While you may feel your employer has done some bad things to you, possibly illegal things, you still should refrain from retaliating as that will do nothing to help your claim.
2. Don’t be intimidated by your employer. If your boss wants you to sign anything, wait until your attorney reviews it first.
3. If possible, get a copy of your employment contract.
4. Question your employer on their reasons for terminating your position with the company.
5. Have an attorney review and/or negotiate a severance package.
6. Return any company property in your possession and complete standard post-employment exit protocols.

Do You Have a Claim?

Florida is an “at will” employment state, so while it might seem unfair that you were fired, it does not mean your employer has done anything wrong in the eyes of the law. If your termination was a direct result of a violation of employee rights, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, whistleblower retaliation and other violations, then you may in fact have a viable lawsuit.

Wrongful terminations do require an extensive investigation, so it is best to get help right away from an employment attorney who can decipher what laws were broken. At Whittel & Melton, our Wrongful Termination Lawyers will hold your employer responsible for their wrongdoings so that not only do you recover what is rightfully owed to you, but also this discrimination does not happen in the workplace again.

Contact Us Today

We urge you to stay true to your claim and not be afraid of what will happen with your former employer. You deserve fair compensation for what you have endured, and we can see to it that your rights are protected. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.