Get Workplace Justice With Our Cicero, IL Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Getting laid off or fired from your job is stressful enough when you see it coming, but when you’re let go seemingly out of nowhere, you may be left wondering, “What did I do wrong? Was I wrongfully fired?” wrongful termination is when an employer lets you go not because you did a bad job or had attendance issues, but rather because of something non-performance-related, like your membership in a protected class or in retaliation for whistleblowing or filing a workers’ compensation lawsuit. Our Cicero, IL wrongful termination lawyer can help you understand the difference between an “acceptable” termination and a wrongful one.
Employers can be pretty creative when coming up with reasons to let someone go. They know Illinois employment laws as well as the attorneys at Disparti Law Group do and will be careful to give the appearance of following them. In our decades of experience litigating employment claims, though, we’ve seen a lot of suspect actions, and we know how to get to the truth of the matter.
If you’ve been wrongfully terminated, you may have more rights than you know, including the right to sue your former employer. Call us today to get started.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination is basically an illegal termination. Illinois is an at-will state for employment, which means that employers don’t need to give a reason for firing someone, no does an employee need to give a reason to quit.
That being said, just because employment is at-will doesn’t mean that there are illegal reasons to fire someone, like:
- Employer retaliation for filing an EEOC claim, like racial or gender discrimination or failure to provide reasonable accommodations per the ADA
- Employee refusal to participate in quid pro quo sexual harassment (sexual favors for workplace advancement)
- Employee reporting sexual harassment or a hostile work environment
- Employer termination due to an employee’s membership in a protected class, including race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, and pregnancy
- Employee filing a workers’ compensation claim (especially if it’s a high-value one)
What To Do If You Are Wrongfully Terminated
If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated, your next steps can be crucial to protecting any claim to compensation. You have the right to your employee file, including any disciplinary actions and performance reviews. Request copies of those; your lawyer can use these to prove your claim.
Next, talk to an experienced employment attorney. They can review your situation and determine whether you have a justified claim.
If you know that you have filed a workers’ compensation claim, reported a hostile work environment, or spoke up in another way, such as a whistleblower, write down everything you recall about the matter. Save all emails and other related communication; this could be the reason you were fired, and your lawyer needs as much information about the matter as you can provide. Getting information about the matter from your employer may prove difficult.
You could be entitled to compensation after a wrongful termination, including lost wages, loss of earning potential, and harm to your professional reputation. Our Cicero wrongful termination lawyer can help you find out more in a free consultation. Call Disparti Law Group today to learn more about your rights.
Facing Legal Challenges Following Wrongful Termination Of Employment
Losing your job is difficult enough, but it becomes even more challenging when the reason for being let go doesn’t seem fair. For many people, wrongful termination isn’t just about losing a paycheck—it’s about feeling disrespected or mistreated after years of dedication. When someone is let go for reasons that go against public policy or violate an employment agreement, it’s important to know what steps are available. Workers who have been dismissed for unlawful reasons may have legal options to pursue compensation or reinstatement. When facing this kind of challenge, consulting a Cicero, IL wrongful termination lawyer can be a step toward protecting your rights.
Recognizing When Employment Rights Are Violated
In most cases, Illinois is an at-will employment state, which means employers can end employment for almost any reason—or no reason at all. However, certain reasons for termination are legally off-limits. These include firing someone due to their race, religion, gender, age, disability, or for exercising protected rights like reporting safety concerns or taking medical leave under FMLA. When an employee believes the termination was related to discrimination, retaliation, or a contract violation, there may be legal grounds to pursue action against the employer with guidance from our wrongful dismissal attorney.
Our illegal termination lawyer will share that employers sometimes attempt to disguise wrongful reasons by offering vague justifications like performance issues or restructuring. This can make things more confusing for the employee, especially if prior evaluations were positive or no prior warnings were given. In these situations, documentation becomes important. Performance reviews, emails, text messages, and other written communications can help build a stronger claim when there’s a pattern of unfair treatment.
Pursuing Legal Action After Being Unfairly Discharged
Filing a wrongful termination claim is often more than just submitting paperwork. It involves reviewing employment contracts, gathering evidence, and identifying what laws may have been violated. A Cicero wrongful termination lawyer can help assess the situation, determine whether a legal claim is likely to succeed, and advise on possible outcomes such as settlement or litigation.
In many situations, individuals who were wrongfully let go may have the right to recover back pay, lost benefits, compensation for emotional distress, or even get their job back. However, success depends heavily on the strength of the evidence and the specific circumstances of the case. It’s also important to act quickly—wrongful termination claims often come with filing deadlines that vary depending on whether the issue is covered under state or federal law.
When Your Livelihood And Dignity Are On The Line
Losing your job for the wrong reasons can impact more than just your paycheck. It can damage your reputation, impact future employment opportunities, and take a toll on your confidence. That’s why it’s important to take legal steps with help from an employment termination attorney that can help protect your interests and hold employers accountable when they break the rules. A Cicero wrongful termination lawyer can help guide you through the process, so you’re not left handling it all on your own. If you’ve been unfairly dismissed, reach out to discuss your situation and take the first step toward a resolution, our firm has obtained over $1 billion dollars in recoveries for our clients. The team at Disparti Law Group is available to help evaluate your case and offer clear guidance on your legal options. Contact our firm today for a complimentary consultation.