Detroit Wrongful Termination Lawyers

Losing a job can be a traumatic and challenging experience under any circumstances. But if your employer fired you for reasons prohibited by law or contrary to the terms of your employment agreement, you can do more than just clean up your resume. You may have a claim against your employer for wrongful termination that can result in the recovery of significant compensation, restoration of your position, and a sense of justice for the ordeal your employer put you through.

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our employment law attorneys are fierce advocates for workers who find themselves on the receiving end of their employer’s illegal or otherwise wrongful acts. We understand the emotions and challenges experienced by those who lose their jobs despite their hard work, reliable performance, and positive reviews. We also understand the web of local, state, and federal laws that govern wrongful discharge and use our experience and advocacy to get our clients the relief and respect they deserve. 

What Makes a Termination “Wrongful”?

A firing may be unfair, unreasonable, and unwarranted, but that does not necessarily make it “wrongful.” Like most states, Michigan is an “at-will” employment state. That means that companies can terminate an employee for almost any reason or reason other than those expressly prohibited by law or that would violate a written employment contract.

This means that an employer can terminate a worker without justification in many, if not most, circumstances. You can be fired just for being a Spartans fan, or for preferring thin crust pizza over Detroit-style, to use extreme examples. Even if your employer mischaracterizes your performance or makes decisions based on untrue perceptions or false allegations, you may have no recourse.

But if your employer uses such reasons as a pretext to fire you when their true motivation is based on prohibited discrimination, you have rights and remedies under the law.

Bases for a Wrongful Termination Claim

You may have a claim for wrongful termination if you can prove that your employer fired you because of:

  • Your race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or sexual identity.
  • Your marital status or pregnancy.
  • Your disability or your relationship with a family member with a disability.
  • Your request for or use of family and medical leave rights.
  • Your report of harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct.
  • Your role as a whistleblower or participation in an investigation into wrongdoing by your employer.
  • Your failure and/or refusal to violate the law during your employment. 
  • Jury duty.
  • Your reasonable belief that you face an immediate risk of death or serious physical harm due to unsafe working conditions, including conditions involving COVID-19.

Additionally, many employment agreements set forth specific reasons that would allow an employer to terminate an employee or have set dates for the duration of the employment relationship. If the employer violates the terms of such an agreement, the fired employee may have a breach of contract claim against their former employer. 

If You Believe Your Termination Was Wrongful, Call Us Today for Your Free Consultation

If you believe that you were fired for reasons prohibited by law or by your employment contract, the experienced employment attorneys at Sommers Schwartz welcome the opportunity to discuss your termination circumstances. We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and advise you of your options. If we determine that your discharge was wrongful, we will hold your employer accountable and get you the compensation and other remedies the law provides. 

We take pride in standing up for Michigan workers when their rights are violated, and their careers are thrown into turmoil because of wrongful termination. Please contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.

A Trusted Authority

Our attorneys have been featured on local and national media outlets, including:

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A Client With a Wrongful Death Case

My family and I would like to thank Matt Turner, Mickey McCullough, Janice Koehler, and your entire law firm for your dedication to my wife’s wrongful death case. We realize that we had the best law firm to successfully help us. We appreciate the obviously hard work and the efforts…

Praise for Albert Asciutto

Shout out to Albert Asciutto for being a fantastic attorney & walking me through the entire process of fighting for my wages! He made the process quick and easy. In the end we won the case!! Thank you again for taking my case on, you are awesome! I would absolutely…

Praise for Jesse Young and Alana Karbal

Alana Karbal and Jesse Young did an excellent job fighting a giant for my wages. They pushed me to get what they needed from me and were amazing at communicating with me at all times. I won my arbitration and was so excited when I got more than what I…

Praise for Wage & Overtime Pay Attorney Jesse Young

Jesse Young worked an employment case for me that ended with almost 700 people getting their unpaid wages back. He and his team are incredible. From the first communication to the last, they never missed a single beat – consistent and clear communication, quickly replying to my communication, and always making…

A Client’s Gratitude for Tad Roumayah

Tad, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unrelenting advocacy on my behalf throughout this process. It’s a shame that this sort of thing is still happening to new moms in 2023 and at an institution that prides itself on diversity, equity, and inclusion, no less. Knowing there…

Comments about Matthew Curtis from an Appreciative Client

Your efforts have changed my life, Matt. I’m forever grateful. My wife has tons of upcoming medical expenses, and we had both been working hard to make ends meet. I can’t thank you and your staff enough.

Praise for Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller and Matthew Curtis

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your hard work and dedication in handling my case. I appreciate your professionalism, your compassion, and your perseverance throughout this challenging process. You have gone above and beyond to protect my rights, to defend my interests, and to secure a favorable…

A Client Talks about Andy Dragovic

My wife had an accident, tripping over a cable line that wasn’t buried. Andy represented us and were very pleased with the outcome. Andy was very professional, personable, and quick to respond to us, answering any of our questions or concerns. The whole firm was responsive to our concerns, and…

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