Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Denver Fighting for Fair Employment Practices
Employees have the right to question wrongdoing in the workplace and file a complaint under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Employers that follow illegal practices might abuse their power in discriminatory and retaliatory ways, and use disciplinary actions like demotions, age discrimination, harassment, change of hours or assignments, and more, to threaten or harm employees after reporting illegal behavior in the workplace.
Employment discrimination is prevalent in a hostile work environment where employers consistently use policies and practices that are unfair to employees, including wrongful termination. Wrongful termination is the illegal firing of an employee that violates federal, state, or local law and goes against an employment contract, and can result in a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Losing a job for the wrong reasons can be devasting to an employee and family members, and for employers, it can cause legal headaches and negative implications to the bottom line and employee morale. Causes of wrongful termination might include sexual harassment, race discrimination, retaliation over a worker’s compensation claim, violations of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), wage and hour violations, and whistleblower retaliation.
Employment lawyers with Ragab Law Firm, P.C. can respond to illegal or unethical behavior with a wrongful termination lawsuit. If an employer fired you for unlawful reasons or engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior after you filed a complaint, we might be able to pursue monetary damages on your behalf. Book a free consultation to see if you have a case at 303-557-2011.
What is At-Will Employment?
Colorado is an at-will employment state like many other states. This means that employers can legally terminate an at-will employee at any point and for a number of reasons, including incompetence, lack of productivity, poor quality of work or poor performance, insubordination, attendance issues, or criminal behavior like revealing trade secrets.
An at-will employment relationship is an implied contract between employer and employee or “contractor” that allows a business to fire employees for any reason, or no reason at all, without facing any liability. At the same time, employees also can quit at any time.
There are important exceptions to this rule, particularly when illegal practices are involved in the firing of employees. Wrongful dismissal is when an employer participates in the illegal termination of an employee in a retaliatory manner. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, no person can be fired in relation to his or her sex, race, color, or national origin. Age discrimination and the Employment Act of Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit the unlawful firing of employees due to age or disability.
It’s important to clearly understand your at-will contract and all possible implications, as well.
If you have an at-will employment contract and need legal counsel to determine whether your employer had the legal right to terminate your employment or you experienced a wrongful dismissal, our experienced employment attorneys with Ragab Law Firm, P.C. can validate your concerns or provide much-needed clarity.
What is Discrimination-Based Termination?
Discrimination is the decision not to hire, retain, or wrongfully terminate a person based on his or her specific traits or genetic background. This includes a variety of traits such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or genetic makeup, in accordance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Poorly run workplaces that do not adhere to federal laws engage in the unlawful hiring and firing of employees and violate anti-discrimination laws. Indicators of wrongful termination that might lead to a wrongful termination claim might include:
- Evidence of discriminatory treatment that might be direct or indirect, including written or verbal statements, wrongful termination after filing a sexual harassment complaint or after learning your sexual orientation, pregnancy status, national origin, age, or other factors
- Negative comments about religion or religious beliefs, specific groups of people such as women, or individuals of a specific ethnicity
- Illegal or unethical behavior like discriminatory layoffs or disciplinary action aimed at a certain sex, race, or age group like women over 50
- Biased comments from managers in front of other employees
Experienced employment attorneys with Ragab Law Firm, P.C. help employees navigate the challenges of wrongful termination cases as a result of discrimination and offer employers wrongful termination best practices to avoid legal hassles or defend them as disputes arise.
What are Common Examples of Wrongful Termination?
When an employee is wrongfully terminated, it means that their employer has broken the law. There are a number of different ways this can happen, and it can be difficult to know if you have been a victim of wrongful termination. However, there are some common examples that you can look out for.
If you are fired because of your race, religion, gender, or another protected characteristic, this is discrimination and is illegal. If you are fired in retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment, this is also against the law. Termination in retaliation for filing a complaint about your working conditions or for exercising your rights as a worker would also be considered wrongful termination. Finally, if you are fired because you refused to do something illegal or unethical, this may also be considered wrongful termination. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, it is important to speak to an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and options. Do not hesitate to take action to protect yourself and your career.
If I’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated, What Can I Do?
Patterns of repeated negative workplace behavior such as wrongful termination or other discriminatory practices might prompt you to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is responsible for protecting the rights of employees.
This could mean firing employees in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws, firing in violation of oral or written employment agreements such as an at-will employment contract, or firing an employee after he or she filed a complaint related to sexual harassment, age discrimination, or another discriminatory practice.
We are experienced in wrongful termination claims, and our employment attorneys can assist in building a wrongful termination case against your employer if you have just been dismissed without just cause.
In more serious cases where your employer greatly abused state and federal law, punitive damages might be rewarded to ensure the employer will not make the same repeat mistakes with other employees in the future.
Can I Sue for Damages?
If you’ve been wrongfully terminated from your job, you may be wondering if you can sue for damages. The answer is: it depends.
There are a few factors that will come into play when determining whether or not you have a case for wrongful termination, including the terms of your employment contract and the circumstances of your termination. In general, you can recover compensation for lost wages and benefits, as well as damages for emotional distress and reputational harm. You may also be able to recover punitive damages in some rare cases. If you think you’ve been wrongfully terminated, the first step is to consult with legal counsel to ensure your rights are secured.
With the help of an experienced employment law attorney with Ragab Law Firm, P.C., we might be able to obtain monetary damages or get your job reinstated, among other possible awards for your pain, suffering, and financial strain.
When you pick up the phone, we can protect you from further retaliation from your employer if you’ve already filed a complaint, or we can help you sort through a wrongful termination claim to protect your job and family. Book a consultation to see how we can help: 303-557-2011.
Speak with our Wrongful Termination Lawyers, See if You Have a Case
Wrongful termination claims hurt employees and employers. Discriminatory behavior can negatively impact an employee’s job satisfaction, hinder productivity and cause emotional distress and trauma, in more serious cases, when a person is unethically fired.
As an employee, an employment attorney with Ragab Law Firm, P.C. can determine if you have a viable wrongful termination case. We will help you understand employment laws, your rights, and potential outcomes and circumstances when filing a wrongful termination claim.
With the help of an employment law attorney and authentic evidence of wrongful termination, a judge and a jury might award you compensation and damages to cover job search costs, medical costs, lost benefits, compensation for pain and suffering like emotional distress, and lost wages. In the case of employers, wrongful termination claims can have legal consequences employers, including additional expenses in attorney fees, punitive damages, and recovery for lost wages. It can hurt employee morale, and satisfaction and damage a company’s reputation and bottom line, simultaneously.
When it comes to wrongful termination lawsuits, you need an expert in workplace discrimination and retaliation cases, like Ragab Law Firm, P.C., to be your voice and fight discrimination on your behalf or protect your business as disputes arise.
Take advantage of our free consultation and see how our wrongful termination lawyers can make an impact at 303-557-2011.