Wrongful Termination Claims in Chicago

Illinois lawyers fighting for clients in unwarranted dismissals

A wrongful termination occurs when an employer releases a worker from employment in violation of the worker's rights. State law dictates that Illinois is an at-will employment state, meaning a business is authorized to terminate a worker's employment without providing a reason, so long as the company does not breach the employee's rights. The discrepancy arises when the employee feels that he or she was fired due to discrimination or retaliation.

At Goldman & Ehrlich, our employment lawyers review the circumstances of the perceived discrimination to determine if the case has merit. We work on every wrongful termination case to find whether a dismissed employee is entitled to the following benefits from his or her former employer:

• Back pay
• Reinstatement
• Legal fees
• Compensatory and punitive damages
• Stress and suffering compensation

Illinois is an at-will employment state, meaning that businesses can terminate employees for any legal reason — simple unfairness will not be part of your case.

Retaliation claims

Employees are entirely within their rights to inform their employer or complain about coworkers or managers who engage in discriminatory acts or illegal corporate activity. Also, the Family and Medical Leave Act permits qualified workers to take up to 12 weeks of medical leave to treat "serious health conditions" or to care for children or dependent adults. Some employees, however, may find that their jobs are terminated shortly after these instances occur. While a dismissal may be in line with company policy, it is possible the company acted in retaliation. The former employee may have legal grounds to sue for benefits.

Our Chicago employment lawyers help dismissed employees as well as small businesses in wrongful termination claims and fight to see that justice is done.

What you can do to prepare for a wrongful termination claim

Employees typically have the right to file a wrongful termination complaint with the human resources department, and they may also file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Gather all other necessary paperwork. This can include emails sent to you or sent by you, memos, previous HR complaints, notices showing salary changes and job title changes, performance reviews, and other documents that can attest to the employee's work habits and job performance.

Obtain a copy of your personnel file as well as a copy of the company's employee handbook. Your employment law attorney will review this information to determine company policy and how the wrongful termination claim factors into standard procedure.

Learn more about your wrongful termination lawsuit, or contact Goldman & Ehrlich today to begin resolving your case.

Employment lawyers in Chicago protecting your rights

Representing individuals and small businesses throughout Cook County, the law firm of Goldman & Ehrlich is prepared to serve you in your wrongful termination claim. Our attorneys' strong backgrounds in employment law in Illinois allow them to effectively fight for plaintiffs and respondents involved in these disputes. Call us at 312-445-9135 or contact Goldman & Ehrlich online today to begin resolving your case.