{"id":357796,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/do-i-need-a-wrongful-termination-lawyer.html"},"modified":"2023-12-27T10:40:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T15:40:00","slug":"do-i-need-a-wrongful-termination-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/do-i-need-a-wrongful-termination-lawyer.html","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Wrongful Termination Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do I Need a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

If you believe you’ve lost your job for an unlawful reason, you may have a claim for wrongful termination<\/a> against your former employer. This is true even if your employer fired you "for cause." Bringing a wrongful termination action can be challenging and involves complicated legal proceedings. Consulting with an employment law attorney may be in your best interests.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will discuss how wrongful termination lawsuits<\/a> work. We will also explain how a wrongful termination attorney can help you. Whether you’re suing for discrimination or breach of contract<\/a>, an experienced attorney can make the difference between winning and losing.<\/p>\r\n

‘At-Will’ Employment<\/h2>\r\n

Most people who work in the U.S. are at-will employees. Your employer can fire you in an at-will employment<\/a> state (which is all but Montana). They don’t need to have any reason at all.<\/p>\r\n

There are exceptions to this rule. Firms cannot fire at-will employees for an unlawful reason. Also, while employers don’t have to give a reason for firing an at-will employee, many do. In these cases, the courts will treat your termination<\/a> as being "for cause."<\/p>\r\n

Unless you have a contract with your employer, the courts presume that you’re an at-will employee. To be safe, many employers confirm this in their employee handbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Unlawful Reasons for Termination<\/h2>\r\n

When a company fires an employee, they usually have good reason to do so. Perhaps the employee was perpetually late or absent<\/a>. Maybe the employee hadn’t met their sales quota for months. Whatever the reason, as long as it’s legal, you’ll have difficulty proving your wrongful discharge lawsuit.<\/p>\r\n

What employers cannot do is fire workers for unlawful reasons. Unlawful reasons for termination<\/a> include the following:<\/p>\r\n