Most employment in Minnesota is on an at-will basis. With this type of employment, both employers and employees can terminate the relationship at any time for nearly any reason. However, there is a small list of circumstances under which an employer is barred from firing an employee. A St. Paul wrongful termination lawyer can help you pursue legal action.
At Madia Law, we know the difficulties that workers face after being wrongfully terminated. The loss of income and uncertainty about the future can be daunting. Fortunately, an experienced St. Paul employment lawyer can help get you back on your feet. Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
Types of Wrongful Termination Cases
Wrongful termination is the unlawful firing of an employee by their employer. Since Minnesota is an at-will employment state and the majority of people in the state work without an employment contract, the reasons for firing an employee that are unlawful are limited.
However, the most common types of wrongful termination cases are for firings related to:
- Discrimination
- Reporting discrimination
- Using medical leave
- Filing workers’ compensation claims
- Whistleblowing
Discrimination
Workplace discrimination is a severe problem throughout the country. Unfortunately, proving discrimination is rarely easy. Discrimination can take many forms and occur at any stage of the employment process, from submitting a job application to being fired.
The fact that Minnesota is an at-will employment state makes proving discrimination even more challenging. Employees in the state can be fired for a wide variety of reasons or without any reason, so demonstrating that the motivation behind your termination was discrimination is often difficult.
However, an experienced lawyer will investigate your employer and attempt to establish a pattern of discrimination.
Reporting Discrimination
In addition to it being illegal to fire an employee because of discrimination, it is also unlawful to fire an employee for reporting discrimination. If you were let go after reporting discrimination to a supervisor, the human resources department, or an outside agency, you will likely have a strong case for wrongful termination.
Medical Leave
Under certain conditions, employees may qualify to take extended leave from work to address a personal health issue or care for a family member with health problems. This leave is granted under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under the FMLA, qualifying workers can take up to 90 days off from work in a calendar year.
If you are terminated from your position for using this federal benefit for a legitimate reason, your employer is guilty of wrongful termination. An experienced wrongful termination lawyer serving St. Paul can help you pursue the full value of your claim.
Workers’ Compensation
Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation to protect their employees in case they are injured at work. If you suffered an on-the-job accident and filed a workers’ comp claim, your employer is prohibited from firing you in retaliation.
Whistleblowing
There are laws in place to protect whistleblowers, including preventing employers from firing employees for reporting criminal behavior in the workplace. Coming forward with information about wrongdoing by an employer can be intimidating. Providing protections to those who do is critical for encouraging others to speak up and prevent criminal activity.
For a legal consultation with a wrongful termination lawyer serving St. Paul, call 612-349-2729
File on Time With the Help of an Experienced Wrongful Termination Lawyer Serving St. Paul
When pursuing compensation from your employer after being unlawfully terminated from your job, it is crucial that you file your lawsuit on time. In these cases, you only have a small window in which to file. If you miss the deadline, you will likely be out of options for recovering compensation.
If submitting a claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or Title VII, you will be limited to 300 days to file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If submitting a claim with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or filing a lawsuit, you’ll have one year to submit the required paperwork.
However, you need to understand that there may be exceptions in your case, which alter the amount of time you have to take legal action. The best way to prevent losing your right to compensation due to an unexpected deadline is by hiring an experienced attorney as soon as possible after losing your job.
St. Paul Wrongful Termination Lawyer Near Me 612-349-2729
Wrongful Termination in Violation of an Employment Contract
Although most employees in St. Paul are employed on an at-will basis, there are some workers in the city who enter into employment contracts. For these employees, additional protections may be available. Most employment contracts will establish the circumstances under which an employee can be terminated from their position.
If your employer fires you for a reason forbidden under the terms of your contract, they may be guilty of wrongfully terminating you from your position. An experienced lawyer can review the terms of your contract to work out whether a violation occurred and secure a positive case result on your behalf.
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Hire an Experienced St. Paul Wrongful Termination Attorney Today
Attempting to get justice and recover the compensation you deserve following a wrongful termination can be challenging. However, your odds will improve significantly if you secure the services of an experienced wrongful termination lawyer in St. Paul. At Madia Law, we have helped countless clients secure favorable outcomes for their cases.
Our lawyers are always ready and willing to take a case to trial if necessary. Contact us today by phone or through this website to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our attorneys.
Call 612-349-2729 or complete a Case Evaluation form
