Wrongful Termination Lawyers: How They Can Help

Over the past few years, we've experienced tough times in our U.S. economy. Many people were laid off as profits plummeted and many jobs were lost. It can be perfectly legal for an employer to fire or lay off workers under circumstances. In fact, in California, employment is termed "at will" which means that for most cases, an employer can hire or fire whoever they want. But that doesn't mean that there are no rules governing employers. In fact, there are numerous employment laws that dictate what is legal, and what is not. Understanding all of these rules can be extremely challenging for a lay person, so contacting knowledgeable Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyers is a smart thing to do for anyone with questions. They can cut through all of the clutter and help inform you of the law as it applies to your specific situation.

How long does it take to file a case?

If you contact an employment attorney and she tells you that you do indeed have a case, it can take a year or several years to resolve your case. It really varies by situation. To begin with, if you have been fired for an illegal reason such as taking family medical leave, pregnancy, whistle-blowing, arguments for wages and hours, harassment, or discrimination and your employer refuses to hire you back, your attorney will file a lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit is expensive, but most reputable wrongful termination lawyers will take your case on a contingency which means that you won't pay any fees unless they win your case. Once your case is filed, there will be a series of legal documents filed back and forth between your attorney and your company's attorney. You may need to take a deposition, which is like a legal interview. You will answer questions asked by both your attorney and the defendant's counsel. Your answers are recorded, written down, and put on record. They become an official part of the case.

Generally the case will be closed when one of two outcomes occur: either settlement or a jury decision. Before a case goes to a jury, both sides usually see if there is a way to settle the case without going to court. Your attorney will ask for monetary damages to compensate you for being illegal terminated. Depending on how the other side feels about their case, they may settle and just pay the amount you are asking, or they may come back with an offer of less money. If both sides cannot agree upon a settlement, then the case will go to a jury.

Cases Before a Jury

If you and your former employer cannot agree on a settlement, then your case will go to trial. This will generally happen in the State and county where you work. There will be jury selection where a jury of twelve peers will be selected with alternates. In fact if you've ever been called for jury duty, then you've been on the other side of the process. A judge will be appointed and a trial date will be set. Trials can last varying amounts of time from weeks to months. Both sides will present evidence, and at the end, the jury will deliberate and give their decision. The judge often helps to set the terms based on a jury's decision.


Know Your Rights

Being fired is not a crime, but wrongful termination is. If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated then you should contact an employment lawyer immediately. You are entitled to know your rights and have them enforced. For those in the LA area, finding an excellent Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyer is key. You are entitled to work in a place without having a hostile work environment or without fear of reprisal if you report on illegal acts. Know that in these cases, the law is on your side.