If you’ve lost your job unexpectedly, you probably feel like the rug was pulled out from underneath you. You’re frustrated, confused, and worried about losing your income and health insurance. Getting fired without notice can take a toll on your life and finances, but there might be a way to get the money you need to support yourself until you find another job.
If you were fired for an unlawful reason, you might be entitled to financial compensation. The attorneys at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm can assess your situation and determine if you have a legitimate claim against your employer. If one of our wrongful termination lawyers in South Carolina takes on your case, you could receive a settlement to help you make ends meet.
A South Carolina Attorney Can File a Lawsuit for Any Type of Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination is generally divided into several types, each with its own reasons and motivations. To get the damages you need to recover from being unlawfully fired, you’ll want to work with an attorney who has worked on similar types of termination cases.
The wrongful termination lawyers at our firm have taken legal action against employers for a variety of different illegal and immoral firing practices. They can assist you in filing a lawsuit for any of the following instances of unlawful termination:
Breach of Contract
Although South Carolina’s at-will termination law allows employers to dismiss workers unexpectedly and for no reason, employers are legally required to uphold their contracts. If you have a contract to work for a certain period of time, your employer can’t fire you unless they have a good reason to do so.
If your employer has broken your contract without a reasonable explanation, you have the right to file a lawsuit against them. Our team will use evidence such as communications between you and your boss and a copy of your contract to build a strong case on your behalf.
Discrimination
According to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAS), it’s illegal to fire an employee because of their race, skin color, gender, religion, age, or disability. If you were dismissed from your job due to a protected characteristic, we can help you conduct an investigation into your discrimination and file a lawsuit against your employer.
Violation of Public Policy
Employers can’t fire a worker for taking an action that is protected by law. Whistleblowing is the most common example of protected workplace activity. If you spoke up about illegal practices in your workplace, you shouldn’t fear retaliatory termination.
A South Carolina wrongful termination lawyer can help you prepare and file a lawsuit against your employer if they fired you for whistleblowing. Once your suit has been submitted to the court system, your attorney will fight for justice and compensation you’re owed.
Retaliation
Similar to termination due to a violation of public policy, you cannot be fired for speaking up against unfair or illegal workplace practices. For example, if you decide to unionize with your co-workers, your employer is not allowed to punish you by terminating your employment.
Military Leave
If you’ve taken military leave to serve your country, your employer is legally obligated to give you up to five years of unpaid leave. Once you’ve finished your service, you’re entitled to return to your job. If your employer dismisses you while you’re on leave or refuses to give you your old position back once you’ve returned to civilian life, you have the right to sue them.
Wrongful Termination After a Workplace Accident
If you’ve sustained an illness or injury in a workplace accident, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. You cannot be fired for reporting an on-the-job injury, talking about filing a workers’ compensation claim, or formally filing a claim.
If you’ve been dismissed from your position after filing a workers’ comp claim, our team can help you take legal action against your employer. An employment law attorney from our team will investigate the motivation behind your firing and build a compelling case against your employer.
If you are having trouble filing a workers’ comp claim or have been denied the benefits you need to pay your medical bills and replace lost wages, we can help you. Our workers’ compensation lawyers have a great deal of experience advocating on behalf of injured workers. They’ll do everything possible to secure the compensation you deserve.
Damages You Can Receive from a Wrongful Termination Suit
If your wrongful termination lawsuit is successful, you might receive compensation for a variety of different losses. Your South Carolina wrongful termination attorney will work closely with you to identify the damages you’re owed and calculate a ballpark range for your settlement value.
Once a verdict has been reached, you’ll likely receive one or more of the following damages:
- Lost benefits
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Job search expenses
If your employer knowingly broke the law by firing you, you may be eligible to receive punitive damages. Such damages are used to punish and deter egregious firing practices. In South Carolina, punitive damages cannot exceed three times the amount of compensation you receive or $500,000.
Contact a Wrongful Termination Attorney in South Carolina Today
Getting fired from your job due to discrimination, filing a workers’ comp claim, or simply raising awareness about a negative workplace environment is illegal and unethical. If you’ve been unlawfully discharged from your position, you are within your rights to file a lawsuit against your employer.
Contact the team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to get the legal counsel and representation you need to hold your employer responsible for illegal firing practices. Our South Carolina wrongful termination attorneys can help you pursue a lawsuit if they find that you have a legitimate case.
