Legal Help With North Carolina Wrongful Termination Cases
When Firing an Employee Is Illegal
Most employees in North Carolina and throughout the United States are "at will" employees. That means that you can leave your job for any reason should you choose, and your employer can let you go from your job for cause or without cause.
What your employer cannot do, however, is fire you from your job for illegal reasons, such as discrimination or retaliation. Firing an employee for illegal reasons is called "wrongful termination," and the employee may be entitled to bring a lawsuit if it occurs. Here are a few examples of illegal firings:
- A commercial truck driver is fired for refusing to drive a truck that hasn't had a required state inspection.
- A commercial driver is fired for refusing to drive overtime in violation of federal law.
- A nurse is fired from a hospital for filing a report against a doctor with the North Carolina Medical Board whom she witnessed falsifying a file and committing medical malpractice.
If you believe you were fired for illegal reasons, get legal help. Contact an employment attorney at the Charlotte law office of Fosbinder & Van Kampen, PLLC.
Our firm is exclusively focused on helping employees fight unfair employment practices and protect their rights. Call us toll free at 1.866.899.9245 or contact us online.
Exercising and Protecting Your Rights Is Not Illegal
Regrettably, it is hardly uncommon for employers to terminate people who have complained about discrimination or harassment at work. There are laws in place to permit the terminated employee to recover his lost wages and other damages from that employer.
You should not be deterred from exercising your workplace rights, such as filing a workers' compensation claim or taking family or medical leave — because terminating you on that basis is illegal. As an employee, there are both federal and state laws that may protect you.
The North Carolina Retaliation in Employment Discrimination Act (REDA)
Not only are you protected from wrongful termination by federal law, you are also protected by North Carolina state law, including the Retaliation in Employment Discrimination Act (REDA).
REDA makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against or fire employees who complain about wage and hour violations, OSHA safety violations, discrimination, or harassment. Under North Carolina law, if your employer willfully engaged in illegal actions, you could receive three times the amount of actual damages you experienced.
Take Action Against Wrongful Termination
You should not have to lose your job because you asked to be treated decently or sought the benefits you were entitled to. If you are ready to take serious action, call us toll free at 1.866.899.9245 or contact us online to schedule a confidential appointment with a lawyer.
