Austin Wrongful Termination Lawyer

As Texas is an “employment-at-will” state, employees and employers are permitted to terminate their contract of employment for any legal reason, or for no reason at all. However, state and federal laws set out specific reasons that cannot be used to fire an employee. If your employer fired you because of any of these illegal reasons, you could file a wrongful termination claim against them.

At The Galo Law Firm, we have managed our fair share of wrongful termination cases, and we know how difficult it is to be wrongfully terminated. Our team focus on employment law, and we have helped many clients bring claims against their employers for wrongful termination, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and breaches of employment contract.

Our wrongful termination law firm has a team of employment lawyers who are ready to fight for your employment law rights and ensure that you get justice for your wrongful termination. Once you come into our law office, we will assign a wrongful termination attorney to your case who will start building up a strong case on your behalf from the get-go. We prioritize employers’ rights, and we will do everything in our power to ensure the success of your case.

Call us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced, wrongful termination attorney. Our phone number is 210-361-8043.

What is Wrongful Termination in Austin, TX?

Federal and state laws set out certain reasons that cannot be used as a basis to fire an employee. If you are an at-will-employee, Texas law provides that your employer can fire you at any stage, provided that they have a legal reason or no reason at all. This means that you can be fired for whatever reason your employee decides, provided that it is not one of the illegal reasons set out in labor and employment law.

If you have an employment contract in Texas, your contract should outline when and how your employer can legally terminate your employment contract. If your employer terminated you for a reason outside of the terms of your contract, you can bring a wrongful termination case against them.

Unlawful Reasons to Fire Employees

As noted above, there are some reasons that are considered unlawful reasons to fire an employee under Texas law. If your employer fired you because of any of the unlawful reasons contained in state and federal laws, you can pursue compensation for wrongful termination. Some illegal reasons that amount to wrongful terminations include:

• Employment discrimination against members of a Protected Class, e.g. race, disability status, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or citizenship.
• Pregnancy.
• Engaging in a protected activity, e.g. reporting workplace violations to a government or labor body.
• Whistleblowing.
• Filing a workplace claim, including a workers compensation claim, employment discrimination claim, or an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety claim.
• Medical reasons, including medical leave or a medical condition.
• Physical or mental disability.
• Refusal to carry out an illegal act on behalf of your employer.

These are just some of the reasons that are regarded as unlawful under state and federal statutes in Texas. If you believe that your former employer has violated employment laws by firing you, you should contact an experienced Austin wrongful termination attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at The Galo Law Firm can help you return to your job and get compensation for lost wages.

Can I Sue My Employer For Wrongful Termination in Austin, TX?

Under Texas law, all employees reserve the right to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against their employer if they believe they have been wrongfully terminated. However, generally speaking, bringing a lawsuit against your employer would not be the first step you take.

We recommend first contacting an employment lawyer if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated. They will help you file an administrative complaint with a government agency in Austin, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), if necessary for your case.

Once it is clear that you were fired based on reasons of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or breach of contract, your experienced attorney will help you file a wrongful termination claim against your employer.

Proving Wrongful Termination in Austin, TX

To prove that you were the victim of wrongful termination in Austin, you must first demonstrate using evidence that an employment relationship existed between you and your employer. You then must show that your employer terminated the employment agreement between you, whether through a contract agreement or an at-will-agreement.

Then, depending on the particular unlawful reason that you were fired, you must prove these extra elements:

• Discriminatory reasons – You must first prove your membership of a protected class (race, religion, color, gender, disability, status, national origin, etc.). You then need to prove that your termination was directly related to your membership in this group.
• Harassment claims – You must show that you were fired because of a harassment claim in the workplace. Your termination must have been within a reasonable time frame after you made the complaint.
• Public policy claims – Texas workers must show that they were fired for a protected reason, which includes refusing to break a law, reporting violations of a law or statute, exercising constitutional rights, or carrying out a statutory or mandatory obligation.
• Breach of contract – You must demonstrate that you had an employment contract with your employer and that your termination violated the contract. You must put forward sufficient evidence to support your claim.

Damages in a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

If you are successful in your wrongful termination claim, you can recover damages to help compensate for the harm you have suffered. The damages you can claim will depend on the particular circumstances of your case and the laws and statutes that your employer violated. Having a good employment attorney can help increase the amount of compensation you recover.

There are three different types of damages that you can claim in a wrongful discrimination case in Austin, TX:

• Economic damages – This includes back pay, future pay, and benefits you lost as a result of being unemployed.
• Compensatory damages – If you suffered mental or physical anguish as a result of being terminated, you can claim compensation for this harm. This can include costs for therapy and counseling and any other treatment you received due to your harm.
• Punitive damages – It is possible to claim punitive damages against your employer if their conduct was exceptionally bad. These claims are difficult to prove so it is advised that you speak with a wrongful termination lawyer before filing for punitive damages.

In addition to the damages listed above, an Austin wrongful termination attorney can help you get your old job back, which may be the most important thing for you. Contact us at The Galo Law Firm today to figure out what damages may be available in your case.

How Can an Austin Wrongful Termination Lawyer Help  Me?

Texas’ employee-at-will status often causes workers to be unsure about whether they have a valid reason to bring a wrongful termination claim against their employer. If you have been fired from a job, it can be difficult to think about bringing a claim against your employer, considering court costs, time, and possibly your mental state.

Wrongful terminations can be difficult to prove in court, particularly if you do not have legal counsel to help you with your claim. At The Galo Law Firm, we want to emphasize the importance of having an experienced employment attorney by your side. An attorney will do all of the hard work for you and ensure that you get a favorable outcome in your case.

Your attorney will carry out an investigation for your case, speak with any witnesses to the discrimination you faced in the workplace, gather all necessary evidence for your case, submit documentation to government agencies and the court in a timely manner, and most importantly, build up a strong case on your behalf.

An excellent attorney will fight for you in court and do everything in their power to ensure that you get a fair settlement and that you get the justice you deserve for being wrongfully terminated.

Contact The Galo Law Firm Today

Being fired from a job can be extremely difficult to deal with, particularly if you have been fired for an unjust and illegal reason. Under Texas and federal law, you have a legal right to protection against discrimination, harassment, and being dismissed from your job illegally.

If your employer dismissed you for any of the reasons prohibited under law, or if you believe your termination was unjust, you are entitled to file a wrongful termination case against them.

At The Galo Law Firm, our employment lawyers can help you get justice against your employer in Austin, Texas. Our team of lawyers has over three decades of experience fighting for our clients, and we have built up a strong attorney-client relationship due to our drive and dedication. Our firm is passionate about employers’ rights and we know how to get you the results you deserve.

Ensure you get justice for your case by calling our experienced wrongful termination attorney at 210-361-8043.