3 Tips for Finding the Right Wrongful Termination Lawyer

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In the U.S., employees often deal with subtle or even overt pressure from their employers, and one step out of line can result in termination. Workers who feel their firing was unfair and against employment laws may seek legal recourse against the employer. Hiring a lawyer is in your best interest as they will help you navigate the legal battle. This guide offers you three tips for choosing the best wrongful termination lawyer.

1. Knowledge of State Laws

In some states, such as Nevada, employers aren’t usually required to give a reason for firing an employee. These states are known as at-will employment states. However, specific state and federal laws can apply in some cases involving unjustified termination. Winning the lawsuit depends on choosing a wrongful termination attorney who is well versed in your state’s employment laws and how these laws apply to your case. Federal guidelines prohibit termination for several reasons, among them:

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Religion
  • Personal disability

2. Ask for Referrals

Brandon Gaille said that in the U.S., consultative corporations generally hire at least two million people. Since companies hire so many people, your colleagues probably know someone who has been through the same ordeal as you. Some coworkers may have even experienced a wrongful dismissal and navigated the world of a legal battle. Ask around for referrals from an excellent unlawful termination lawyer.

People trust online reviews because they are hard to fake. Before hiring a wrongful dismissal attorney for your case, go through online reviews left by previous clients. If the reviews are positive, the lawyer is likely to offer you good service compared to one whose clients are unhappy. Yet, not all clients can leave happy comments. Pay attention to the lawyer’s response to reviews from unsatisfied clients.

3. Specialization

For the most part, employment services fill a new position within 42 days. Companies are rightful in hiring new personnel because labor is one of the significant factors of production. In case of wrongful dismissal, your life must go on. Seeking legal recourse may be the first step; if you win the suit, the company will compensate you. Yet, your choice of a wrongful termination lawyer can be the difference in whether a particular case will be successful.

There are various grounds for employment termination. These include a company terminating women employees who take time off to give birth or care for their children and a corporation firing whistleblowers who report operational violations or illegal activity. Find a lawyer who specializes in your specific case since they know the ins and out of such claims and can take whatever tricks your old employers throw their way.

3. Availability

The sooner you go to court, the better because the company may shut down if you wait too long. Conceivably, businesses fail due to various reasons such as mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. Research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that only a quarter of new businesses survive past their 15th year. Alternatively, the company may have shuffled the management or exchanged hands, which makes it hard to recreate the chain of events leading up to your wrongful termination.

There is a statute of limitations for every dispute to launch a lawsuit. A wrongfully dismissed employee has up to 180 days to initiate legal proceedings in the Employment Tribunal and at most six years in a court of law. Hire a lawyer who understands the urgency of your case. Wrong termination cases require a lot of facts, and the lawyer needs time to gather evidence and file court motions. A complex issue requires a lot of preparation and may involve a lengthy trial. Thus, getting your reprieve is a race against time.

Workers can challenge employers after an unjustified dismissal on account of age and religion. Hire a lawyer specializing in cases similar to yours who is well versed in state laws. Select an attorney who handles your case with urgency since wrongful dismissal cases have a short statute of limitation; three months for an employment tribunal. Also, if you take a long time to seek legal recourse, you may find the business is no longer operating.