Houston Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Were You Wrongfully Dismissed? Call Now.

Our wrongful termination lawyers in Houston understand that your career is a significant part of your life and that the income you earn supports the lifestyle that you and your family enjoy. If your employer fires you for reasons that violate federal and state labor laws, you need to stand up for yourself, your career, and your well-being. With a Houston wrongful termination attorney from Shellist Lazarz Slobin by your side, you can take legal action against your employer.

We represent employees, independent contractors, and executives in high-stakes employment law disputes, including Presidents, CEOs, and other members of the C-Suite in businesses throughout Greater Houston. No matter what role you held, you have the right to employment with protections against wrongful dismissal. As a team of trial attorneys with extensive legal experience, we are not afraid to take your case to court if need be.

When you choose our Houston wrongful termination lawyers to represent you, we can:

• Obtain and file important documentation and paperwork needed for your case.
• Investigate the circumstances of your firing to obtain crucial evidence.
• Respond to inquiries or challenges from your employer.
• Negotiate settlement offers on your behalf.

Contact Shellist Lazarz Slobin at (713) 352-3433 for a consultation with a wrongful termination attorney in Houston. Se habla español.

Understanding Wrongful Termination in Texas

Texas, like so many other states, is an at-will employment state. In summary, an “at-will employment state” allows the termination of employees for essentially any reason, including no reason given, at any time. On the other hand, employees in an at-will employment state can quit at any time without needing to provide a specific reason for doing so. However, there are significant exemptions and protections from federal employment laws. If a worker in an at-will employment state is terminated or dismissed for a reason listed as an exemption, it is a wrongful termination.

Key Sources of Wrongful Termination

• Discrimination: Workers in all states are protected by a set of federal rules that establish specific classes that cannot be considered in relation to employment, hiring, and termination. For example, religion, race, age, and gender are commonly cited as federally protected classes. Some states even have expanded lists with more protections.
• Harassment: Your legal protections also extend to incidents of harassment. If you have been dismissed due to being harassed, based on a federally protected class, or otherwise, then you likely have a wrongful termination case on your hands. You can also seek compensation and justice if you were pressured to voluntarily quit due to continual harassment that went unaddressed by your employer or supervisor.
• Retaliation: Workers in all industries have the right to report illegal behavior or employment violations conducted by their employers and supervisors. Any sort of negative action — including removal from positive benefits — taken against a worker who reports such behaviors is retaliation. When retaliation leads to or includes dismissal, it constitutes wrongful termination. A common example of retaliation-based termination is when an employee complains of wage and hour issues, like unpaid overtime, and is suspiciously laid off later.
• Contract Violation: Some workers are bound by an employment contract that disallows termination unless specific circumstances are met. Employers have a heightened duty to show valid reasoning for dismissing a worker with an employment contract, or they may breach the contract and open themselves up to a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Related Reading

• What Does "At Will" Employment Mean?
• Understanding “At-Will” Employment

Wrongful Termination Claims

If you believe that you were let go for unlawful reasons, you may have a wrongful termination claim to file against your employer. To begin filing your claim, first identify the reason why you were released from your job. If the reason provided is not the real motivation behind your release, and you believe it was discriminatory or another reason, you may file a wrongful termination claim.

You have the ability to file a claim even if you quit your job. This only applies in the circumstance that you decided to quit because the workplace was so hostile and intolerable that you felt as if you had no other choice but to leave. This is referred to as “constructive discharge.” You will need to provide evidence for how your employer created a hostile work environment.

The key is to start early. Document incidents if you begin to notice a pattern of bias or retaliation against you. Evidence is needed to prove the retaliation. This may include disciplinary notices, performance reviews, paystubs, written statements by witnesses, any communication between you and your employer or other associates at work, and similar records. Make notes for each incident, including dates, times, names of those you interacted with, and witnesses. Write what happened and how you and the other party responded. Take photo evidence if you are able.

Contact your Human Resources department. If they do not resolve your matter, contact the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and file a complaint. You must reach out to an EEOC counselor within the applicable time after the incident. If the issue is not resolved within the required period, you must file a formal complaint with an EEOC office within the deadline that applies to your situation.

The process can be difficult, and you want to make sure that your file is completed correctly and your evidence is presented clearly. Reach out to a wrongful termination lawyer in Houston for guidance.

Damages And Remedies In Texas Wrongful Termination Cases

After a job loss, many people want to know what a claim could realistically accomplish. While every situation is different, wrongful termination cases in Texas can lead to several types of remedies designed to address both financial harm and the impact on your career. Understanding these potential outcomes can help you decide whether to move forward and what kind of resolution might feel fair.

Depending on the facts and the law that applies, available remedies may include back pay for wages and benefits you lost, front pay for future lost earnings if returning to your old position is not realistic, and compensation for lost bonuses or commissions. In some cases, there may also be payment for emotional harm tied to the termination, or for damage to your professional reputation. For certain claims, the law may allow additional damages intended to discourage particularly serious misconduct, as well as payment of attorneys’ fees and costs.

Remedies are not always limited to money. Some employees prefer non-monetary terms, such as neutral or positive references, changes in personnel records, or agreements about how a departure will be described to third parties. These issues can be especially important in close-knit professional communities in and around Houston, where word travels quickly.  A wrongful termination lawyer on our team will talk through these options with you so that any settlement demand or negotiation strategy reflects what you need to move forward professionally and personally.

We Will Aggressively Pursue Your Rights & Justice In Houston

If you were fired for questionable reasons, you need to speak to a practiced Houston wrongful termination attorney about taking legal action. Filing a lawsuit is not just one way to seek recovery of your lost wages and missed professional opportunities, but it also sends a strong message to employers who use illegal and unacceptable business practices. With us in your corner, you can confidently file your unlawful termination lawsuit, regardless of the apparent strength or influence of your employer.

Our Houston wrongful termination attorneys have years of experience handling wrongful termination cases. We have a unique insight into how companies typically try to defend themselves. We will review your case and answer all of your questions and concerns so that you understand your rights under the law. The bottom line is that we are here to help protect your rights after you have been wrongfully terminated. This is the focus of our firm, and we do it well.

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If you were wrongfully terminated, call Shellist Lazarz Slobin at (713) 352-3433 to speak with an experienced wrongful termination lawyer in Houston.