Finding the right wrongful termination attorney should be of great importance to you. It could mean the difference between getting compensation for your lost wages and benefits or not. The process can be overwhelming if you are going about things on your own.
Let’s explore what constitutes a wrongful termination and how to find the right wrongful termination lawyer.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination or an unfair dismissal is when an employer terminates/dismisses/fires an employee without providing valid grounds for removal. Wrongful termination can happen because of discrimination or retaliation from management.
An employee should file a civil lawsuit against the company and hire legal representation if they are wrongfully terminated.
What Constitutes Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for an illegal reason. The most common reasons for illegal firing are because of race, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual harassment, or marital status.
When these factors play a role in the decision to fire someone, we call that form of discrimination “disparate treatment.” Disparate treatment often occurs during hiring or promotion decisions involving candidates with similar qualifications, but different protected characteristics. Sometimes the protected characteristic is obvious, like sex or ethnicity, while other times, it involves more subtle biases, such as personality traits or demeanor.
Finding a Wrongful Termination Attorney
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, it’s essential to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Finding the right lawyer to take on your wrongful termination case involving things like pregnancy or disability discrimination can be challenging. Here are some strategies you can use to find a wrongful termination attorney.
#1. Ask Friends and Family for Referrals
You may not know anyone who has been involved in a wrongful termination lawsuit, but you may know someone who has used a lawyer for something else in the past. Ask them if they would recommend an attorney to you. Ask how long it took the attorney to resolve their case and what the attorney/client relationship was like while working with them.
#2. Review Online Reviews
Online review websites allow people to post anonymous reviews of lawyers and law firms. However, these are easily manipulated by one disgruntled former client or adversary. In addition, negative comments can easily be edited out by unscrupulous attorneys. You can check the Better Business Bureau website to see if there are complaints filed against the lawyer you’re considering using.
#3. Look Up Your State Bar Association
There is a local branch of the State Bar Association in every state. It provides information about members, disciplinary actions taken on its behalf, fee schedules, etc. You can contact the state bar association directly to inquire about wrongful termination lawyers in your area.
#4. Consider Specialization in a Wrongful Termination Case
Many wrongful termination cases involve complex matters, especially when dealing with pregnancy discrimination, discrimination based on physical/mental disabilities, or violation of an employment contract. Most wrongful termination lawyers specialize in these matters, which means you get better advocacy and attention at lower rates. If this applies to your case, you should start looking for a lawyer specializing in wrongful termination lawsuits based on specific discrimination.
Contact Our Skilled New York Wrongful Termination Lawyer
A termination based on discrimination merits a claim for wrongful termination. New York labor law and federal laws prohibit employers from making discriminatory employment decisions.
At Levine & Blit, our wrongful termination lawyers help protect the rights of employees nationwide. As a full-service employment law practice, we handle all aspects of labor and employment law.
Give us a call today at (212) 967-3000 for immediate assistance. You can also fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation.