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.