Watertown Wrongful Termination Lawyer
New York is what’s known as an “at-will” work state. That means employers in Watertown and elsewhere in New York State have a right to fire any employee at will for any reason and at any time. Even if you’ve felt that you were wrongfully terminated from your position, you may have believed you had no options under the law. Fortunately, New York’s at-will status comes with specific caveats. While employers can fire you if they legitimately find that you aren’t measuring up to your required duties and for other business-related grounds, they cannot fire you based solely on certain protected reasons under the standards of the New York Workplace Protection Laws or the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
If you believe you were fired from your position for any of the reasons under legal protection, you can file a complaint against your employer and gain compensation, damages, and — in some cases — reinstatement to your job, without fear of workplace retaliation. The Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, Watertown employment lawyers will work hard to work hard to reach the justice you deserve.
How Do Workplace Protections Work in an At-Will State Like New York?
Employers in New York do not have to show just cause to terminate you from their employment. However, if you suspect that you were fired due only to a characteristic or condition considered protected by state and federal law, then you were wrongfully terminated under the law and are entitled to seek compensation. An employer is not allowed to terminate you on the following basis:
- Race, skin color, nationality, or religion
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Caregiver or parenting status
- Sexuality or transgender status
- In retaliation for filing sexual harassment claim, filing for worker’s comp, or complaining of an unsafe workplace condition
- In retaliation for whistleblowing about illegal or unethical activities in the workplace
- For taking time away from work for jury duty or military duty
If any of the above reasons were the main grounds for your termination, or if you were fired for reasons not permitted by an existing contract with your employer, you have a right to seek compensation.
What Your Claim For Wrongful Termination Can Recover
Being wrongfully fired from a position is distressing. It causes not only financial hardship but also impedes your career advancement. It’s a profound injustice when you are let go from a position you worked hard for. While every case is different, some examples of damages awarded in wrongful termination cases include:
- Recovery of your lost wages with interest
- Recovery of your lost benefits
- Damages for emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
- Reinstatement to your position if desired
Why Choose Gattuso & Ciotoli For Your Wrongful Termination Claim?
You deserve justice if your employer committed the unlawful act of wrongfully terminating your employment on grounds protected under the law. Employment protection laws are in place to allow you to seek justice when an employer crosses these lines.
Call our Watertown office today to discuss your claim and we will begin working on a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome and fight for justice in the form of financial compensation for your lost earnings and distress. We don’t collect a fee until we secure a significant settlement or verdict on your behalf. Let us put our decades of experience behind your claim to work towards the best possible outcome.