While it can be difficult and upsetting to be terminated from a job, the emotional distress associated with being laid off or fired is amplified when the job loss is unlawful.
If you feel as though you have been wrongfully terminated by your employer, an Orlando wrongful termination lawyer with Bogin, Munns & Munns can fight for justice on your behalf.
Defining Wrongful Termination
A “wrongful termination” is one in which an employer has discharged or laid off an employee in violation of the legal rights of the employee. Florida is an “at-will” state, meaning employers don’t need to give a reason for firing an employee.
However, that doesn’t mean your employer is off the hook, as they may be in violation of state and federal laws.
Examples of wrongful termination are as follows:
- Breach of contract: If your employer let you go for reasons that are not specified in your employee contract
- Discrimination: If you believe your employer fired you due to your race, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, or other categories
- Retaliation: If you complained about unjust or illegal activity at work
- Workers’ compensation: If you suffered an injury or illness at work and your employer fires you after you file a claim (violates Florida Statutes § 440.205)
- Working overtime: If you had to work overtime and your employer doesn’t want to pay your wages. This violates Wages and the Fair Labor Standards Act, per the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Family leave: If your employer fires you for taking extended time off to care for your family
These claims are only a handful of examples as to why your boss would wrongfully terminate you. Therefore, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your specific claim listed here. Our firm still wants to hear your story to see how we can help you.
Damages You Can Claim in Your Orlando Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
If you have been laid off or wrongfully fired based on an unlawful reason, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, such as:
- Lost wages: Any promotions, pay raises, bonuses, or other benefits you may have missed out on due to your termination
- Lost benefits: If you filed a workers’ compensation claim and you didn’t get the wage replacement or medical bill reimbursement you need
- Out-of-pocket expenses: If your job loss has created other miscellaneous costs
In addition, if you are unsure whether you are eligible for unemployment compensation, our attorneys can contact Florida’s unemployment office to determine your eligibility and, depending on your situation, help you make an appeal if your claim is denied.
Evidence Our Lawyers Can Use to Prove You Were Wrongfully Terminated
It may feel like proving that you were treated unfairly at work is impossible. However, our employment attorneys can request access to records on your behalf and work to gather the following forms of evidence:
- Employee contract
- Employee handbook
- Employee performance reviews and evaluations
- Schedules
- Paychecks
- Relevant emails, text messages, voicemails, or written notes
- Testimony of your coworkers or former employees
- Filed complaints
- Your termination form
If you have any other documents that might back up your claim for your wrongful termination in Orlando, share them with your lawyer. Any shred of evidence can make all the difference in your case.
How Long You Have to Take Legal Action
Certain time limits come with filing a complaint or a claim for wrongful termination. For example, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) affirms that:
- If you were filing a complaint due to discrimination in the workplace, you have 180 days to do so.
- If the local or state government covers anti-discrimination law, you typically have 300 days to file.
We encourage you to consider retaining the services of an employment lawyer on our team. Because it can be so confusing to determine when to file a wrongful termination lawsuit in Florida, they can help ensure you adhere to all federal, state, and local deadlines. You can also expect them to help you fill out the claim correctly so that you don’t miss any details.
We need to get started on your case as soon as possible. If we are too late, then your case may be denied altogether. It will then be up to you to make up for the expenses you lost from your termination.
What Former Clients Have Said About Teaming Up with Bogin, Munns & Munns
Our attorneys serve clients throughout central and north Florida who are dealing with all sorts of difficulties, from personal injury to real estate disputes to employment law.
See what some of them have said after using us for legal representation:
- “Best firm in the state!!!” – Ashley S.
- “Working with Mr. Phil Kabler at Bogin, Munns, & Munns could not have been a better experience. He was thorough with all the information presented to him and was able to represent me in an intelligent and thought out way… I could not recommend more!” – Katie M.
- “My experience with Bogin, Munns and Munns was life changing. The professionalism and empathy that was shown during my legal process was extraordinary. I truly felt they were concerned about my legal issue and were working on my behalf. Thank you for a job well done.” – Emma N.
At this moment, we want to help you come to a fair outcome after you were wrongfully terminated.
Work with Bogin, Munns & Munns for Legal Assistance
If you believe that your Orlando employer wrongfully terminated you, our lawyers can build a case against them so you can get justice.
Reach out to our offices for a consultation and to learn more about how our attorneys can help.
