Employment in Minnesota is typically undertaken on an at-will basis. Under this type of employment agreement, either party may end the employment relationship at any time and for almost any reason. However, under certain circumstances, termination of employment is unlawful. An experienced Edina wrongful termination attorney can help you recover damages.
At Madia Law, we have a long history of helping workers fight back after losing their jobs. The disruption a wrongful termination can have on your life is significant, and having an experienced Edina employment lawyer by your side can prove critical. Reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with a member of our team.
Types of Wrongful Termination Violations
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in violation of the law. Because Minnesota is an at-will employment state, the reasons for firing an employee that are unlawful are incredibly limited in most cases. However, there are a handful of circumstances under which terminating an employee is illegal.
The most common forms of wrongful termination in the state include firings related to:
- Discrimination
- Reporting discrimination
- Taking medical leave
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Whistleblowing
Discrimination
A common problem in workplaces throughout the country is discrimination. Discrimination can occur in a variety of ways and at any point in the employment process, from submitting applications to being let go from a position. Unfortunately, it can be very challenging to prove that the reason behind a firing or other workplace challenge is related to discrimination.
Proving discrimination is made all the more challenging by the fact that employees in Minnesota can be fired for a variety of reasons or no reason at all. Fortunately, an experienced wrongful termination lawyer can help investigate your employer and look for a pattern of discrimination to help back up your claim.
Reporting Discrimination
Just as it is illegal to fire someone due to discrimination, it is also against the law to terminate an employee for reporting discrimination. If you reported workplace discrimination to the human resources department at your work, a supervisor, or an external agency, you will likely be able to make a strong case to recover wrongful termination damages.
Medical Leave
Some employees qualify for an extended leave of absence from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This federal law provides up to 90 days off from work in a calendar year to deal with personal health problems or to care for a family member who is facing health concerns.
If you take leave under FMLA and are fired from your position as a result, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer. An experienced Edina wrongful termination lawyer can help you recover the full value of your claim.
Workers’ Compensation
The majority of employers in the state are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance helps protect both the employee and employer in the event of a workplace accident. If you were injured while on the job and filed a workers’ compensation claim, your employer is not allowed to fire you in retaliation.
Whistleblowing
The law aims to protect whistleblowers from retaliation from their employers to encourage future whistleblowers not to be afraid to come forward. It is illegal for an employer to fire or take any other punitive action against an employee for revealing criminal activity in the workplace. If you were fired for whistleblowing, an experienced lawyer can help you fight back.
For a legal consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer serving Edina, call 612-349-2729
Firings that Violate the Terms of an Employment Contract
Despite the fact that Minnesota is an at-will employment state, there are still some employees in Edina who work with an employment contract. If you had a contract with your employer, you may have further protections against termination beyond those extended to all employees by law.
Most employment contracts state the reasons an employee can or cannot be terminated. If your employer fired you in contradiction to the terms of your employment, you may have a wrongful termination case, even if the reason you were let go does not fall into one of the categories discussed above.
An experienced attorney will review the terms of your contract to determine whether your employer broke the terms of the deal. If a violation occurred, your lawyer will work to secure a favorable case result on your behalf.
Edina Wrongful Termination Lawyer Near Me 612-349-2729
A Wrongful Termination Attorney Serving Edina Can Help Ensure You don’t Miss Any Deadlines
When attempting to recover damages after an employer unlawfully terminates your employment, you need to familiarize yourself with the applicable filing deadlines. In these cases, you don’t have long to take legal action, so you need to get started as soon as possible.
If you are filing under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or Title VII, you will only have 300 days to submit the required paperwork to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If making a claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or filing a lawsuit, you’ll have one year to take legal action.
However, it’s important to realize that exceptions may exist in your case, changing the amount of time you have to file. While this could mean you have additional time to file, it could also mean a smaller filing window. Hiring an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after getting fired can help protect you against an unforeseen deadline.
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Reach Out to an Experienced Edina Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today
When pursuing damages after a wrongful termination, the best thing you can do to help your case is to hire an experienced attorney. At Madia Law, our team of St. Paul wrongful termination lawyers has a long history of winning big for our clients. We are never afraid to take a case to court, if needed, to ensure a favorable outcome.
Contact us today by completing our contact form or giving us a call and schedule your free case review with a member of our legal team.
Call 612-349-2729 or complete a Case Evaluation form
