Wrongful termination of employees is a stark reality. It happens quite often too. But there is legal recourse for unlawfully terminated employees. They can hire a wrongful termination lawyer in their area to take some sort of legal action – be it a lawsuit, trial, or reinstatement.

Here’s more on the topic.

Legal Guidance

If you are someone who was unlawfully terminated from the job; you needn’t take the injustice silently. You can take the appropriate legal action. Legal recourse can seem complicated and daunting. So, the first step is to seek legal guidance from a competent lawyer. Consulting with a lawyer can also help you gain more understanding about your situation from a legal standpoint.

Most lawyers offer free consulting sessions to potential clients. So, schedule a booking with an experienced lawyer in your area. It is important that you choose a local lawyer as employment laws can differ from state to state. You can use keywords such as wrongful termination lawyers Los Angeles (requirement + your location) to find a list of local law firms specializing in wrongful termination. You can book the session with a lawyer based on their expertise and experience in handling cases of wrongful termination.

During the consultation, you can seek confirmation if your situation was indeed wrongful termination or not. For instance, if you are an independent contractor, you will not be able to file a claim for your wrongful termination. In California, you will not be able to sue your supervisor but only your employer. So, before you raise the issue with your employer, it is important to consult with a lawyer.

If you are terminated from your job because of your race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, harassment, or the need for medical leave then it is unlawful. These are referred to as protected categories.

There can be many other reasons that can be qualified as wrongful termination. You can only be sure about it once you consult with a lawyer. The lawyer will also guide you about the next steps to take in case you decide to file a lawsuit.

Lawsuit and Negotiations

A good wrongful termination lawyer can help you file the lawsuit and also negotiate its terms with your employer’s representative.

Filing a claim is not easy. You, first of all, need to prepare yourself for the legal process to take its route. Lawsuits can involve long-drawn negotiations.

You will also need to provide all the details to back your claim. For instance, if you may be fired due to rejecting your boss’s sexual advances but the reason given to you could be a lack of performance. In such cases, you will need to provide all the details to your lawyer. Then, your lawyer will guide you about how the claim can be filed and what it will entail.

Your lawyer will negotiate with the employer’s representative who will likely be hostile. It is the job of other party’s representatives to not pay any compensation to the victims or try to dismiss the claim citing it bogus. It can be very difficult for victims to face such hostile behavior and negotiations. But with a lawyer by your side, you needn’t worry about such things. You can rest easy that your lawyer will handle the negotiations and work them into your favor.

Trial

There are times when you will need to take the case to court. Negotiations fail when the other party refuses to own their fault or pay any compensation to victims. In such rare cases, you have the option to take the case to court. Your lawyer will guide you about the process and file the necessary paperwork in court.

Your lawyer will also need to speak with the witnesses if any and agree them to come to the court for their testimonies. The lawyer will need to prepare opening and closing statements to make your case solid. The lawyer will also help you prepare for the court. It is not easy to appear in court and face hostile people (your employer and their representatives). They can bring their own witnesses and these can be your ex-colleagues. A good lawyer can make the process easier to bear.