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Workers have many rights in the workplace. When employers violate these rights, they are opening themselves up to legal action. If your employer treated you unfairly, you should reach out to an experienced labor & employment attorney for help.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we are committed to protecting the rights of workers. Our experienced team of Boston employment and labor lawyers will work diligently to help ensure a favorable outcome for your case. Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team.
Common Lawsuits Against Employers
There are a variety of offenses that employers commit that can open them up to legal action. If your rights were violated, you need to understand your options. Some of the most common workplace lawsuits filed every year involve the following offenses:
- Discrimination
- Wrongful termination
- Retaliation
- Sexual harassment
- Refusal to pay workers’ compensation
Discrimination
Federal law prohibits any form of workplace discrimination based on age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or classification as a member of a protected class. Workplace discrimination can come in many forms and can begin even before you start working.
If you were discriminated against during the hiring process, while working for an employer, or during the termination of your employment, you have the right to sue your employer for damages.
Workplace discrimination can make it difficult for those belonging to a protected class to find work, advance in their career, and maintain employment. If you know or suspect that you were the victim of workplace discrimination, an experienced attorney can help you file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination describes any firings from employment that were unlawful. In addition to discrimination, there are other unlawful reasons for termination. However, employers have a lot of leeway when it comes to firing workers.
Other than Montana, every state in the U.S. is an at-will employment state. What that means is that you or your employer can end your working relationship at any time, with or without notice and for nearly any reason. However, like with discrimination, there are a few other reasons an employer can not terminate your employment.
One of the most common forms of wrongful termination is an employer firing an employee in retaliation for various protected activities, including:
- Reporting workplace discrimination
- Blowing the whistle on company misconduct or other illegal activity
- Missing work to attend jury duty
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Using legitimate medical leave
Retaliation
Retaliation is not restricted to termination. If your employer demotes you, significantly cuts your hours, or takes other actions to make the workplace unbearable in an attempt to get you to quit, you may have grounds for a retaliation lawsuit.
Sexual Harassment
Another common reason that employees end up suing their employers is if they were the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace. Unfortunately, despite many efforts to combat workplace sexual harassment, it remains a pervasive problem in workplaces throughout the country.
Far too often, employers use their position of power to attempt to coerce their employees into sexual acts. Workplace sexual harassment is especially prevalent in fields that have historically been male-dominated. Women trying to make it in these fields tend to face a variety of problems, including harassment and discrimination.
Refusal to Pay Workers’ Compensation
When you get hurt on the job, you are not usually able to sue your employer for compensation. In most cases, you will instead have to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover damages. However, if your employer refuses to pay out your workers’ comp claim, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit.
There are also limited circumstances under which you can sue your employer for an on-the-job industry without first pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. For instance, if you were injured because of gross negligence or a deliberate act committed by your employer to cause you harm, you can skip past workers’ compensation and file a lawsuit.
Payment Violations
Employers must pay their employees in accordance with the law for the work they perform. Any violation of labor laws regarding the pay you receive can be grounds for filing a lawsuit against your employer. Common payment violations include:
- Failure to meet minimum wage requirements
- Failure to properly pay overtime wages
- Unlawful deductions from your paycheck
If you were the victim of these or any other violations, an experienced labor lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
Pay Attention to the Filing Deadline
When filing a lawsuit against your employer, it is critical that you pay attention to the filing deadline. The deadline for filing your lawsuit will depend on the offense that was committed. The statute of limitations varies from one type of violation to another. An experienced lawyer can help you determine the applicable statute for your case.
No matter how long you have to file, it is always best to get started on your case as soon as possible. The earlier your lawyer can get to work, the easier it will be for them to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Furthermore, any witness testimony in support of your claims will be more reliable closer to the date of the violation.
Get Help Suing Your Employer from an Experienced Labor and Employment Attorney
Attempting to recover compensation through a lawsuit against your employer on your own is unlikely to yield favorable results. Hiring an experienced lawyer will greatly improve your odds of getting the money you need and deserve. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we are committed to protecting the rights of workers.
Contact us today by phone or through this website to set up your free initial case evaluation with a member of our team.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form