Hollywood Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Hollywood Wrongful Termination Attorney

Losing your job can be devastating, not just emotionally, but financially as well. It can be even more devastating when you know you were terminated for unlawful reasons. If you were wrongfully terminated, you do not have to accept the unlawful act. You can seek legal assistance with the help of a Hollywood wrongful termination lawyer to fight for your rights and hold your employer accountable.

Why Choose Us?

Our organization, The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., assists workers in Hollywood and Broward County in defending themselves against unjust termination. We are here to defend your rights, whether you were dismissed for reporting harassment, asking for medical leave, or just being yourself. You can also read client testimonials from others we’ve helped.

We have years of experience in handling employment matters in local courthouses, including the Broward County Courthouse. We use our local knowledge to help you navigate the legal system. A Hollywood employment lawyer at The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., can help you fight for your rights.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination happens when an employee is unlawfully let go from their job. Florida is an at-will state, meaning an employer can fire an employee for any reason and without notice, so long as that reason violates neither federal nor Florida employment laws. Wrongful termination happens when your employer fires you for an illegal reason. Illegal reasons for firing someone include doing so on the basis of:

• Race
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Pregnancy status

An employer is also not allowed to terminate an employee in retaliation for exercising their legal rights, including:

• Filing a complaint for harassment
• Whistleblowing
• Requesting medical leave
• Refusing sexual advances
• Reporting unsafe working conditions
• Filing a workers’ compensation claim

If an employer terminates an employee for any of these reasons, the employee may have grounds for a legal claim under Florida’s wrongful termination protections.

Examples of Wrongful Termination

Retaliation is one of the most common causes of wrongful termination. In 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) resolved 34 retaliation claims, filed 56 claims that alleged retaliation, and obtained nearly $8.3 million in relief for victims of retaliation.

Generally speaking, an employer will not tell you that they are terminating you for unlawful reasons. The reasoning may be more subtle, or may hide behind other reasons that have no evidence, such as claiming your termination was for financial cutbacks, but then hiring someone to replace you soon afterward. Wrongful termination may look like:

• Firing a woman shortly after she informs her supervisor that she is pregnant.
• Firing an employee after they inform the company’s HR department of their boss’s sexual harassment.
• A company terminates every employee who refuses to participate in illegal activities.
• A worker takes medical leave and returns to being terminated and replaced.

It’s important to note that these actions can be especially suspicious if the employee has no history of poor work performance. Even if you don’t believe you have strong evidence, speak with an attorney about your situation. They may be able to assess your termination to determine if wrongful termination took place.

How to Prove Wrongful Termination

As mentioned earlier, an employer isn’t likely to tell you they fired you for unlawful reasons. Because of this, proving wrongful termination depends on gathering supportive evidence to back your claims. It is up to you to prove that the termination was not just unjustified (since Florida is an at-will state), but that it was illegal. Some ways to do this include:

• Gathering documentation. Be sure to keep all communication between you and your employer, especially around the time of the termination. This may help establish inconsistencies between the reason for your termination and the occurrences at the job.
• Gather witness statements. Others may be able to speak to your situation or even similar situations that have happened at work.
• Look for timing and patterns. If you don’t have a history of poor work performance, but you are terminated right after another event, such as announcing a pregnancy, and your employer claims it is due to your work performance, note this in your documentation.

Before you can file a legal claim, you must file a formal complaint with either the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Be sure to file this formal complaint (and receive your Right to Sue letter) before pursuing legal action. An attorney can help you through this process.

FAQs

Contact The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., Today

If you were wrongfully terminated, you can hold your employer accountable by seeking legal remedies. The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., can help. Contact us today to learn more.