Being terminated from a job is one of life’s greatest stresses, particularly if you think the dismissal was unjust or illegal. Merced employees experience profound impacts on their financial stability and future security when wrongfully terminated. Working with a Merced wrongful termination lawyer and knowing your rights when you believe your firing was illegal allows you to fight for justice and claim just compensation.
At Asbill Law Group, APLC, we know your life can be disrupted by wrongful termination, but we are ready to help you regain control. Our extensive employment law experience, combined with our dedication to straightforward guidance, enables us to hold employers accountable when they breach legal boundaries.
We offer strategic legal representation throughout all stages, from collecting evidence and submitting complaints to employers to negotiating settlements or pursuing your case in court.
The California employment framework operates under “at-will” conditions, which allows employers to end employment contracts without any required justification. Despite the at-will employment standard in California employers cannot terminate employees based on illegal grounds. Wrongful termination happens when an employer terminates an employee by breaking federal or state laws, public policy standards, or terms of a contract.
The Center for American Progress research reveals that 1 out of every 5 American workers has been wrongfully terminated during their professional journey. During FY 2023, the EEOC initiated 143 merits claims, with 25 classified as systemic claims and 32 labeled as non-systemic class claims. Retaliation was the most common discrimination claim at 39.2%, followed by sex discrimination at 35%, disability at 34.3%, and race at 16.8%.
Many of these are grounds for a wrongful termination claim if the employee was subsequently fired.
Wrongful terminations are violations of federal and state laws. When a person is wrongfully terminated, they can seek legal remedies. Some common grounds for a wrongful termination claim include:
The Fair Employment and Housing Act in California ensures strong safeguards for employees against wrongful termination. FEHA prevents employers from both discriminating against and retaliating against employees who participate in protected activities. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces these laws while also investigating complaints that involve employment discrimination and wrongful termination.
Early action after wrongful termination can greatly influence your case results. Keep detailed records of your job history, including performance evaluations, email communications, termination documents, as well as any discussions about your firing. This information can serve as key evidence.
Seek guidance from an employment attorney who can review your case and explain your legal rights while determining if your termination breached state or federal laws. Under your lawyer’s guidance, you might submit complaints to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which require adherence to strict filing deadlines.
Based on your case strength and your former employer’s response, you may file a claim at Merced County Superior Court seeking restitution for lost wages and emotional harm, along with other damages.
The legal intricacies and emotional toll of a wrongful termination claim in California necessitate the support of legal representation. A skilled employment attorney can assist in collecting necessary evidence and make sure your case meets all required filing deadlines. A lawyer can help you with filing complaints and negotiating with your past company while also representing you in court when needed.
Employees represented by lawyers typically receive compensation and obtain greater settlement amounts compared to those who self-represent. A knowledgeable advocate allows you to concentrate on your future while your attorney manages your case’s legal intricacies.
The probability of succeeding in a wrongful termination claim relies primarily on how solid the evidence is, along with how clear the legal violation appears and the competence of the attorney representing you. Cases that settle before trial generally have better results when they include documented evidence of discrimination or retaliation as well as policy violations. Success rates increase when you hire a skilled employment lawyer.
Wrongful termination case payouts differ greatly depending on lost income amounts, emotional suffering levels, employer behavior quality and resolution method between settlement and courtroom judgment.
When there is definitive proof of illegal termination along with enduring economic or emotional damage, plaintiffs tend to receive increased settlement amounts. Through negotiation and litigation, legal representation generally increases the compensation that plaintiffs receive.
Employers in California engage in wrongful termination when they fire employees for unlawful reasons or violations of public policy. Employers may wrongfully fire workers through discriminatory termination practices, retaliation against individuals who report illegal actions, or dismissing employees for exercising their right to take protected leave. Employers in at-will employment states, including California, cannot fire workers for illegal reasons.
Your wrongful termination case does not necessarily have to go to court. Wrongful termination cases often reach resolution through means outside the courtroom, such as settlements and mediation techniques. When negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory settlement, your lawyer may advise filing a claim to obtain your rightful compensation. A skilled attorney will provide effective guidance through both litigation and settlement options.
If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, you do not have to accept this illegal treatment. An attorney at Asbill Law Group, APLC, can help you receive the justice you deserve. Contact us today to get started.