As an employee, you may be entitled to compensation if your termination was based on unlawful grounds. These may include retaliation for participating in a legally protected activity, discrimination based on race, gender, age, pregnancy or other protected characteristics or violations of a valid employment contract.
Below are some common damages you can recover if you prevail in a wrongful termination claim or lawsuit.
Lost wages and benefits
You can recover back pay covering the wages you would have earned from the time of the illegal termination to when a judgment or settlement is reached. These may also include lost work benefits, like health insurance, retirement contributions and other employee perks. You could also be entitled to front pay, which compensates for the future wages you would have earned if not for the wrongful termination.
Emotional distress
A wrongful termination can lead to mental anguish, anxiety and depression, among other psychological effects, and you may recover compensation for such damages.
Other damages
You may be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and related court costs if you win a wrongful termination lawsuit. This can help ease the financial burden of pursuing legal action. In some exceptional instances, the court may also award punitive damages to punish the employer and deter similar behavior by other employers.
Remember, you must present a solid case to prove your termination was unlawful and recover the full extent of your damages. This may include showing the reasonable efforts you have put into finding new employment since you were wrongfully terminated and providing other supporting documentation supporting your position.
Seeking legal guidance to navigate the complexities of wrongful termination cases can help you assert your rights and protect your interests.
