Wrongful Dismissal Lawyer Take to Resolve a Case
When an employer fires a worker for the wrong reason, it violates the law. If you have been unfairly fired, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages and damage to your reputation. Wrongful termination cases involve many complex legal issues and can take a long time to resolve.
A wrongful dismissal lawyer can guide you through the process. While every case is unique, most follow a similar timeline through administrative filings, court proceedings, discovery, pretrial motions, and settlement negotiations or trials.
The first step in any wrongful termination case is to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other government agency. If the firing was based on discrimination, your attorney can file a charge that clearly explains how it violated the laws such as California’s Fair Employment Act (FEHA) or federal Title VII. It takes the EEOC 180 days to investigate a wrongful termination claim and, if they find in favor of the plaintiff, to issue a “right to sue” letter.
How Long Does a Wrongful Dismissal Lawyer Take to Resolve a Case?
After this initial legal step, you and your wrongful dismissal lawyer will begin the lengthy discovery process. This can involve many different documents and hours of interviews with your former employer. You will need to carefully review all of the documents and information you receive. Your lawyer can help you create a detailed chronology of events that led up to your termination, and your attorney will be able to identify the most important evidence to use at trial.
Both sides will also file pretrial motions throughout the process, asking the judge to rule on certain aspects of the case before it goes to trial. These can add months to the case timeline and require extensive legal work. Your wrongful termination lawyer can draft and submit motions that are effective in helping the court reach a favorable ruling for your case.
Once all pretrial motions are argued and settled, the trial will be held. Unless the employer wants to settle out of court, this is where the case will likely last the longest. It is common for a wrongful termination trial to last a few weeks, but if the facts are complicated and there are multiple witnesses, it may take much longer.
If you are considering filing a wrongful termination lawsuit, the team at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria can advise you of your rights and options. We have a wealth of experience representing workers in wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, sexual harassment, retaliation or whistle blowing, and contract issues. We strive to resolve these matters as efficiently as possible so that you can return to your job and provide for your family. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We are available to meet in-person or over the phone in our offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Our lawyers can also handle wrongful termination cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t need to worry about any upfront fees.