Connecticut Wrongful Termination

Get Help From a Top-Tier Connecticut Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

The sudden loss of a job can put a serious financial strain on an employee and their family. It is especially challenging for people who were terminated for an illegal reason. Wrongful termination is a commonly used phrase that refers to a variety of circumstances where the employee claims a violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws, violation of state and federal whistle-blower protection laws, and breach of employment contracts.  

These are complicated claims. You will need to hire Connecticut wrongful termination attorneys to review your factual narrative to determine if you have a claim. An experienced employment lawyer at Carey & Associates, P.C. will investigate your wrongful termination claim and develop a strategy to present the case to the employer in an attempt to resolve it.  We also build your wrongful termination case for litigation in the event early settlement discussions fail. Contact our Connecticut wrongful termination lawyer today.

WHAT IS WRONGFUL TERMINATION?

Broadly defined, wrongful termination is the illegal dismissal of an employee in violation of federal, state, or contractual laws. It can occur when an employee is fired for discriminatory reasons, retaliation, breach of contract, or in violation of public policy. You may have a wrongful termination claim in Connecticut if you were unlawfully fired, unlawfully laid off, or were subject to illegal conditions that were so unbearable that you were forced to resign. 

KNOW THE GROUNDS TO BRING A WRONGFUL TERMINATION CLAIM IN CONNECTICUT

A wrongful termination is an unlawful termination. To bring a successful wrongful termination claim in Connecticut, an employee must show more than “unfair” treatment. Connecticut is an at-will employment law state. As stated by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), at-will employment is a standard that allows both employers and employees to end their relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without notice. Employers can even remove workers for seemingly unfair reasons. However, state and federal laws protect workers against a termination on illegal grounds. Some of the most common bases for wrongful termination claims in Connecticut include: 

• Sexual Harassment: In Connecticut, a wrongful termination claim based on sexual harassment occurs when an employee is dismissed following their refusal to submit to, objection to, or complaint about unwanted sexual advances or inappropriate behavior.
• Discrimination: Discrimination-based wrongful termination in Connecticut involves firing an employee due to their membership in a protected class, such as race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. State and federal laws, including the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA). 
• Retaliation: You should be able to exercise your workplace rights—whether reporting sexual harassment, complaining about a wage and hour violation, or blowing the whistle on a workplace safety violation—without facing retribution from your employer. Both state and federal statutes protect against retaliation. 
• Breach of Contract: Employment contracts are enforceable. Wrongful termination claims for breach of contract in Connecticut occur when an employee is fired in violation of the explicit terms of their employment agreement. In most cases, these contracts are written. However, they can also exist based on company policies or employment handbooks. 

BE PREPARED TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST PRETEXTUAL (FALSE) REASONING

You can do the following things to help develop your case of wrongful termination.  First, identify what you believe is the reason why you were wrongfully terminated. This could be sex discrimination (#metoo), sexual orientation, race discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and retaliation discrimination for engaging in protected activity to complain about discrimination to your employer or to state and federal agencies.  Your employer may have fired you without cause in violation of your employment contract which states you can only be fired for cause.

Your employer will usually give you a reason why you were wrongfully terminated. That reason may or may not be accurate. In many cases, employers try to conceal wrongful terminations with pretextual reasoning. Pretext is the false reason for firing an employee—which is actually a cover for an illegal, discriminatory motive. We always ask prospective clients this question because once the employer provides the reason for their wrongful termination if they do at all, they are stuck with it throughout the case. The employer’s response is often not coordinated by their legal counsel and can serve as an admission of fact in the case and will never change. 

YOUR STORY MATTERS: PROVING WRONGFUL TERMINATION

As part of the wrongful termination claims process, you need to write your detailed factual chronological narrative in your own words, don’t worry about sounding like a lawyer.  Do not underestimate the persuasive power of your own story.  We will investigate your narrative and probe deeper to uncover facts you may not have been aware of.  Third, gather all your documents, emails, text messages, and your memory of verbal discussions you had with coworkers and managers.  All of this content must be included in the narrative.  Your narrative will become the single source document forming the foundation of your claims in your case.

WHY TRUST OUR CONNECTICUT WRONGFUL TERMINATION ATTORNEY

You need to work with an attorney who understands employment law and can help make sense of a written or verbal contract. There are federal and state laws protecting employees rights. If you believe you are facing a wrongful termination lawsuit, then contact our Connecticut wrongful termination lawyers today.

Wrongful termination claims are complicated. With so much at stake, you need to work with an attorney who understands employment law and can help make sense of a written or verbal contract. Remember, there are federal and state laws protecting employees rights. Our managing partner Mark Carey is an employee rights advocate with decades of employment law experience. We are committed to providing personalized, solutions-forward advocacy in wrongful termination cases. You do not have to take on an employer alone. If you believe you are facing a wrongful termination lawsuit, then contact our Connecticut wrongful termination lawyers today.

WRONGFUL TERMINATION IN CONNECTICUT: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Can I Bring a Wrongful Termination Claim for an Unfair Firing?

Yes—but you need to prove that your termination was “unlawful.” Simply being fired for reasons that feel unfair but are not illegal (like personality clashes or business decisions) typically does not qualify for a wrongful termination claim. Connecticut is like most U.S. states. An at-will employment standard applies. There is no general “fairness” law. To bring a successful wrongful termination claim in Connecticut, an employer must prove that their discharge was unlawful. 

What is a Constructive Discharge?

A constructive discharge in Connecticut occurs when an employee resigns due to working conditions that have become intolerable because of illegal treatment, such as harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. The resignation is, for legal purposes, treated as a termination because the employer’s conduct effectively forced the employee to quit. 

Is it Possible to Settle a Wrongful Termination Claim?

Absolutely. While litigation may be required in certain highly disputed cases, many wrongful termination claims can be settled. A settlement may provide compensation for lost wages (back pay/front pay), emotional distress, and other damages. It could even potentially involve a reinstatement if both the employer and employee are interested. A Connecticut wrongful termination lawyer can represent you in negotiations with your former employer. 

CONTACT OUR CONNECTICUT WRONGFUL TERMINATION LAWYER TODAY

At Carey & Associates, P.C., our Connecticut wrongful termination attorney is a solutions-focused, experienced advocate for clients. If you or your family member was fired, laid off, or otherwise discharged in violation of the law, we can help. Give us a phone call at (203) 255-4150 or contact us online to set up your fully private, no obligation initial consultation. From our Southport law office, we represent employees in wrongful termination cases throughout all of Connecticut.