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- New Jersey Wrongful Termination Lawyer
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TERMINATION
Unfortunately wrongful termination occurs
Unfortunately, despite a profusion of workplace anti-discrimination laws, wrongful termination occurs in all types of jobs and industries. Wrongful termination, which is also called “wrongful discharge” or “wrongful dismissal,” occurs when an employee is fired for discriminatory reasons, such as racial discrimination. The victims of wrongful termination can suffer immense financial losses, in addition to the pain of being discriminated against. If you or your spouse was wrongfully terminated in Morristown, NJ, employment law attorney Usmaan Sleemi can fight to recover compensation, hold your employer accountable, and potentially have you reinstated at your job.
Usmaan Sleemi, founder of the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi, has dedicated his legal career to fighting for the rights of workers in New Jersey. He has handled numerous wrongful termination claims, and can help you file your case with greater ease and efficiency. If you believe you lost your job because of workplace discrimination, or think you were fired in retaliation for whistleblowing, Usmaan Sleemi can help. For a free legal consultation about wrongful termination in Morristown, contact us online, or call (973) 453-4060 today.
CAN I SUE MY EMPLOYER FOR WRONGFUL TERMINATION IN NJ?
The answer to this question depends on the circumstances surrounding your termination. If you are trying to determine whether you have a case against your employer, it is helpful to have some background on employment and anti-discrimination laws in New Jersey.
In general, New Jersey employers may terminate employees at will, without providing notice or cause. However, there are various state and federal laws that prohibit employers from firing employees due to:
- Membership in a “protected class”
- Participation in “protected activity”
Being a member of a protected class means that you possess a trait which it is illegal to discriminate against in the workplace. All workers belong in a protected class, because all workers have an age, a skin color, an ethnicity, and so forth. Under a collection of laws, it is generally illegal to fire a worker solely due to:
- Age
- Ancestry
- Color
- Disability
- Gender identity
- Genetic information or cellular traits
- Marital status, including civil unions and domestic partnerships
- National origin
- Nationality
- Religion (“creed”)
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
These laws include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD).
Just as it is illegal to fire an employee due to discrimination, it is also illegal to fire an employee out of retaliation for whistleblowing or filing a complaint, which is what “protected activity” refers to. Protected activity can also mean asking for disability accommodations, refusing sexual advances, refusing illegal or discriminatory directives, or serving in the military.
Don’t worry if you aren’t completely sure whether you have a case. When you contact the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi for your free initial consultation, Mr. Sleemi can assess the situation to help determine your legal options.
COMPENSATION IN WRONGFUL DISCHARGE SETTLEMENTS AND LAWSUITS
Wrongful discharge can have a profoundly negative impact on its victims. First, there is the emotional anguish of being subjected to discrimination because of a trait you happen to possess. Then, there is the financial hardship resulting from the loss of the job. These hardships can be especially crushing if you were supporting your family, or if you were receiving benefits like insurance coverage through your old job.
Filing a claim against your employer gives you an opportunity to right the wrongs you have suffered. By suing with help from a wrongful termination lawyer in Morristown, you may be able to get compensated, restore your former position, and hold your employer accountable for unacceptable conduct.
There are two basic paths that a claim against your employer could take. The first and simplest path is attempting to negotiate a settlement, which is compensation that you and your employer agree to outside of court. In some cases, settlement results must be kept confidential. If your company refuses to make a reasonable offer, the second path is to initiate litigation – in other words, going to court.
In either situation, the goals are to prove that you were wrongfully terminated, and to obtain the maximum amount of compensation available. You may hear compensation described as “damages”: for example, that you are “seeking damages” in a certain amount. In addition to possible reinstatement, several types of damages may be recoverable for wrongful termination, such as:
- Compensation for lost earnings (back pay and front pay), including unpaid wages and overtime pay
- Compensation for lost benefits, such as health insurance, dental insurance, stock options, and retirement plans
- Compensation for your emotional distress and mental anguish
MORRISTOWN WRONGFUL TERMINATION ATTORNEY USMAAN SLEEMI CAN FILE YOUR CLAIM
No one should have to suffer the pain and humiliation of workplace discrimination. No one should lose their job because of their skin color, sexual preference, religious beliefs, or age. If you think you were fired due to discrimination – or as a punishment for exercising your rights to participate in protected activities – you should immediately contact the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi for help. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call (973) 453-4060.