Termination of employment can have devastating effects on your life, and the impact is even harder if the termination is wrongful. Although it’s your employer’s right in Missouri to terminate your employment at will, if you find out the reason behind it can be considered wrongful in the eyes of the law, then you have a right to contact a wrongful termination lawyer and seek justice.
Top 7 Reasons to Work with a Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Table of Contents
1. To Determine If Your Termination Was Wrongful
Top wrongful termination lawyers in Kansas City understand the circumstances that render your termination wrongful. It’s often unclear to the employee whether or not you’re entitled to notice before your termination and how much notice is required for that termination to be considered lawful.
You also may be wondering whether your employer had just cause to fire you. Although they can fire you, if they have a reason, then it must be valid in the eyes of the law.
2. To Ensure You Understand What You’re Entitled To Post-Dismissal
You have entitlements and rights after you’ve been terminated from your job. You may be entitled to a severance package, and there may be other rights you have based on your unique situation and job. Your attorney will ensure you know all of them so you can get what you’re entitled to after your termination.
3. To Evaluate What Your Former Employer Is Offering
If your former employer is offering a severance package, then it’s a good idea to get it looked at by an attorney. It’s especially important to have an attorney look at this package if you believe your termination was wrongful. Your attorney will evaluate whether or not the package you’ve been offered is fair based on several factors, so never sign a termination of severance package before you consult with an attorney.
4. To Stop You Having to Talk to Your Employer Directly
If you had a poor relationship with your former employer, then you may not wish to speak to them directly about your severance package or about the cause behind your termination. Hiring an attorney to make contact for you makes the task seem much less daunting. Plus, it’s a smarter move if you were terminated wrongfully, as your attorney knows the law and can point out any flaws in your former employer’s argument.
Your attorney can also see through lies and excuses far better than you can as they’ll be highly experienced in dealing with employers who may have engaged in discriminatory, harassing, or bullying behavior.
5. To Help You Win a Package That Wasn’t Offered
If your former employer hasn’t offered you a severance package but you’re entitled to one, then your attorney can help you win that package and perhaps more. If you’ve worked unpaid overtime, then a lawyer can help secure your payment for that. They can also help you sue for compensation based on the wrongful termination and even get your job back if you desire it.
6. To Help You Win Emotional Damages
Were you dismissed based on discrimination? If so, then you cannot only sue for wrongful termination, but you can sue for emotional damages, too. Your attorney can help you determine a reasonable sum based on the stress your former employer caused you. This is something that will be very difficult to win if you don’t seek legal aid.
7. To Sue for Defamation
If your former employer is spreading misinformation about you to other companies in your industry after your termination, then they’re damaging your career, and you can seek justice for that. An attorney can help you win a settlement to cover lost income and emotional distress, and they can help you restore your good name in your industry.
What Constitutes Unfair Termination in Missouri?
Here are a couple of circumstances that constitute unfair termination under Missouri law:
- You were fired for reporting workplace safety issues
- You were fired based on engaging with a workers union
- You were fired after reporting illegal activity within your workplace
- You were fired for refusing to engage in unlawful behavior
- You were fired based on your race, religion, color, ancestry, sex, age, national origin, or disability
What Traits Should You Look For in a Wrongful Termination Attorney?
When you consult with a wrongful termination attorney, you want to ensure you’re working with someone with your best interests in mind. You also need to ensure they’re the person who’s most suited for the job. Some traits to look out for include:
- Empathy and good listening skills
- Successes in their career
- Experience dealing with cases similar to yours
If you believe you’ve been the victim of wrongful termination, then make sure you contact an attorney as soon as you can. They can help you seek justice or simply go over your severance package to ensure you’re getting what you’re entitled to after the termination of your employment.
