If you have been fired from your job for improper reasons in Florida, you may be able to file a legal claim against your former employer and seek compensation for the harm that a wrongful termination has caused you. It is illegal to terminate an employee for discriminatory reasons, such as because of their race, religious beliefs, age, gender, or sexual orientation.
The Florida wrongful termination lawyers of Cruz Law Firm, P.A. are dedicated to standing up for individuals who have been mistreated in the workplace or wrongfully terminated. Our firm focuses on protecting the workplace rights of employees in Florida. Our attorneys pursue maximum compensation for clients who have the unjust treatment our clients have suffered.
Contact Cruz Law for a free and confidential consultation today. If you have a provable wrongful termination complaint against your employer, a wrongful termination lawyer can help you seek justice and just compensation. Our employment law attorneys serve Florida.
What is Considered Wrongful Termination in Florida?
Florida is an at-will employment state. An employer can dismiss employees at any time for any reason, except for an illegal reason, such as age discrimination or religious beliefs. An employee is free to leave a job at any time.
Even in states that follow an at-will employment doctrine, firing an employee in violation of state or federal laws that prohibit discrimination or retaliation is wrongful termination of employment. Employees are protected by the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal law.
State and federal employment laws make it illegal to terminate, refuse to hire, or harass an employee or job applicant on the basis of:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex/gender
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity, gender expression
- AIDS/HIV status
- Sickle cell trait
- Marital status
- Pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
- Age (40 or older)
- Disability
- Genetic information (including family medical history).
It is also illegal to terminate employment in retaliation for:
- Objecting to or refusing to take part in activities that violate a law, including employment discrimination.
- Refusing to give in to sexual harassment, such as refusing sexual advances or demands for sexual favors.
- Discontinuing a romantic relationship.
- Reporting an employer’s fraud, waste, abuse, corruption, wrongdoing, illegal or unethical activity.
- Reporting unsafe work conditions.
- Testifying or providing information to a government agent who is investigating an alleged illegal activity by the employer.
- Disclosing or threatening to disclose information about activities or policies that violate the law. The employee must have previously brought the activity or policy to the attention of the employer or supervisor in writing.
- Asserting their legal rights under employment law.
Wrongful termination includes firing someone in violation of public policy or because they have:
- Taken time off to serve jury duty
- Taken time off to vote.
- Taken time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Filed a workers’ compensation claim for a work-related injury.
An employment contract may spell out protections against termination without cause beyond what anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation statutes provide. A union agreement will provide protections against termination that are stronger than what is legally required.
Federal, state, and local government employees have protections that make it complicated for their employers to terminate them without cause.
Navigating the Legal Process of a Wrongful Termination Claim
Wrongful termination cases in Florida typically require filing a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Rights (FCHR) and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which may take over a complaint from the FCHR.
After investigating, the EEOC or FCHR will typically attempt to settle the dispute through mediation. If mediation fails but the agency has found cause for the complaint, the EEOC or FCHR will issue a Notice of Right to Sue. This gives the employee 90 days to file a lawsuit.
How Cruz Law Firm P.A. Can Help
The Florida wrongful termination lawyers of Cruz Law Firm can help you pursue a wrongful termination claim through the Florida Commission on Human Rights and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or through a lawsuit.
Our wrongful termination attorneys will start by discussing your legal options with you so that you know what to expect. We will also ask you what you want out of a complaint or a lawsuit.
As we gather evidence to develop your claim, we will:
- Document your employment and job performance, including obtaining your employment contract, job description, performance appraisals, and witness statements.
- Investigate the circumstances of your termination to find evidence, such as emails or memos, that show your employer’s motive for firing you was illegal and violated employment law.
Before taking legal action, we will contact your employer. Sometimes, a letter from Cruz Law or a conversation with a wrongful termination lawyer can resolve a wrongful termination case. If these negotiations are not successful, we will file a claim on your behalf and advocate for you before the FCHR or EEOC.
If the FCHR or EEOC investigation does not resolve your case, we will be ready to file a lawsuit and present your case in court. We will demand full compensation for you and, if it is your desire, reinstatement to the position you lost due to unlawful termination.
Talk to Our Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Florida
If your employer’s unlawful actions have put your career, finances, and future at risk, the unjust termination lawyers of Cruz Law Firm in Jacksonville will work to make things right for you. We have taken more than 100 employment rights cases to jury trial in state and federal courts and have recovered over $15 million for clients like you.
Contact us online today for a confidential legal consultation. Our attorneys are committed to defending the rights of hard-working people in Florida. Reach out online or call (850) 701-8838 now for guidance and representation in your wrongful termination claim.