Depending on your circumstances, you should definitely consider whether you should file a workers’ compensation claim, a disability claim, and/or a claim for unemployment benefits.
You might also be entitled to unpaid overtime, minimum wages, sick leave and vacation benefits. Maybe you’re even owed money for expenses you incurred, such as your purchase or cleaning of uniforms, shoes, and/or special equipment.
But one of the things you should also do is to try to figure out – not so easy, admittedly – why you might have been fired out of the blue. If it was an illegal reason, you might have avenues to pursue to make it right.
With a few exceptions, for example, if you’re subject to a union collective bargaining agreement, you can probably be fired without cause, at any time – as long as the firing is legal.
But one can also be fired for illegal reasons. For example, it might well be illegal, and you could sue for wrongful termination and more, if you were fired because of your age, race, nationality, gender, and/or religion. The same might be true if you were terminated because you might have a physical or mental disability.
If you’re pregnant when you’re fired, that might be something to consider as another illegal reason for your being let go. If you complain about unpaid wages, overtime due you, or an unsafe or unclean working area or environment, that’s another reason when you’re firing might be illegal.
Similarly, if your employer fired you in retaliation for some reason, e.g., defending a co-employee, or pointing out some safety or problem within the company, that might be reason to seek legal relief and damages.
If you’re unsure, but still feel you shouldn’t have been fired? Maybe you should contact us so we could try to talk through what might have happened. Feel free to write tom@falveylaw.com, or call us at 818-547-5200 or 626-795-0205 if you’d like to see what might be done.
Thanks very much. If any of this applies to your, your family or friends, we hope to hear from you.
Tom the Lawyer 