Losing your job is stressful, especially if you feel it was unfair or illegal. Texas is an at-will employment state, so companies are generally terminating employees for almost any reason, but there are limits. If you were fired due to discrimination, retaliation, or a breach of contract, you may have a case. A wrongful termination lawyer in Dallas can help you understand your rights, guide you through the process, and fight for the best possible result. This blog will cover what wrongful termination means, the common mistakes to avoid, and the steps to take.
What Is Wrongful Termination in Texas?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in a way that violates the law, an employment agreement, or public policy. While Texas is an at-will employment state, employers are not allowed to fire workers for illegal reasons.
Some common examples of wrongful termination include:
- Being fired because of your race, gender, age, disability, religion, or pregnancy
- Losing your job after reporting harassment, unsafe conditions, or illegal conduct, or after taking legally protected leave
- Being terminated in violation of an employment contract or established company policies
That said, not every termination is unlawful. Employers can generally let employees go for reasons such as poor job performance, ongoing interpersonal conflicts, or company restructuring. However, if something about your termination feels unfair or doesn’t add up, it’s important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Acting early can help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
How Discrimination Lawyers in Dallas Identify Wrongful Termination
Even if the employer presents a different justification, discrimination may be the underlying basis for termination. It could be against the law if your age, gender, handicap, or another protected characteristic was a factor. Discrimination lawyers in Dallas look at emails, performance reviews, witness accounts, and patterns of how people were treated. Even small repeated comments or differences in treatment matter. Writing down and keeping these details can be really important if you want to build a strong wrongful termination claim.
Common Reasons Employees Are Wrongfully Terminated
Some situations are observed repeatedly in wrongful termination cases. These include being fired after:
- Reporting workplace harassment, safety issues, or illegal conduct
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim after a job-related injury
- Taking legally protected leave, such as leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Refusing to participate in illegal or unethical activities at work
Your firing might not be legal if any of these circumstances seem similar. You can determine whether your rights were infringed and what to do next by being aware of these typical situations.
What to Do If You Think You Were Wrongfully Fired
An unfair or questionable termination should not be overlooked. Save any emails, reviews, or paperwork related to your job. Write down what happened and when, while it’s still fresh in your mind. Avoid talking about the situation on social media. Most importantly, speak with wrongful termination or discrimination lawyers in Dallas as soon as you can. Getting advice early can help you understand your options and protect your rights.
Best Practices and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Best practices:
Act quickly so you don’t miss deadlines. Keep your records organized, and stay professional in any communication with your employer.
Common mistakes:
Waiting too long to speak with a lawyer, talking to HR without documentation, deleting emails or other evidence, or signing anything without legal review.
Evidence a Lawyer Will Look For
When you deal with a wrongful termination lawyer in Dallas, they will search for evidence like:
- Emails and letters of termination
- HR documents and performance reviews.
- Testimonies from superiors or colleagues.
- Company’s dismissal procedures.
- Any discrimination or retaliation tendencies.
Having well-organized evidence enables your attorney to challenge the employer’s justification and provide a compelling case.
Filing Deadlines and Legal Remedies
Time is of the essence in these circumstances. If discrimination is implicated, there is a little window of time—usually between 180 and 300 days—to file a complaint with the EEOC. Certain employment-related issues may also be handled by the Texas Workforce Commission, depending on the situation.
If your claim is successful, you could get reimbursement for psychological distress, future lost wages, back pay, or your job back. Legal costs may also be compensated in certain circumstances. Early consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer in Dallas may help guarantee that nothing is missed because deadlines are quickly approaching.
Conclusion
This explains how awrongful termination lawyer in Dallas might help you following an unjust or questionable firing. With the correct legal advice, you can understand your rights, obtain and protect critical evidence, and take the required actions to achieve a fair decision. Working with a lawyer who is knowledgeable, communicates clearly, and truly understands your situation can have a significant impact on the development of your case and the outcomes you obtain.
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, don’t wait —contact Mijares Law Group now to discuss your wrongful termination case.
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