If you were recently laid off or asked to sign a severance agreement, you may not know what your rights are. Many people feel pressure to sign right away, but they shouldn’t. Signing without legal advice could mean giving up important rights or accepting less than you deserve.
A Hartford severance lawyer from Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard can review your agreement and explain how it could affect your future. We are one of the few law firms in Connecticut that handle labor and employment claims.
If you are facing a job loss, a Hartford labor and employment lawyer at our firm is ready to stand up for your rights and protect your future. Call us today for a free consultation. Our firm works on contingency, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
What Is a Severance Agreement?
A severance agreement is a legal agreement made between an employer and an employee when the employee leaves the company. In this document, your employer might offer any of the following:
- A lump sum or ongoing severance pay.
- Continued health insurance or benefits for a certain period.
- A reference letter or help finding another job.
In return, you’re often asked to sign away some rights. This could include:
- Agreeing not to sue the company.
- Keeping quiet about your experience.
- Not working for a competitor for a certain time.
It’s important to understand every part of a severance agreement before signing it. Our severance lawyer in Hartford, CT, can help you make sense of the legal terms and explain what signing would mean for you.
For a free legal consultation with a severance lawyer serving Hartford, call (860) 999-9394
Our Severance Attorneys in Hartford Will Lead Your Case
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we give workers honest, straightforward advice when they need it most. Whether you’ve been offered a severance package or already signed one under pressure, our team will protect your rights.
We have years of experience handling complex employment cases, and we aren’t afraid to challenge large companies or their legal teams.
When you work with a severance negotiation attorney in Hartford from our firm, we will:
- Help you understand your rights before you sign anything
- Spot illegal or unfair contract terms, such as waiving your right to sue or overly broad non-compete clauses
- Negotiate for stronger terms, including more severance pay, extended benefits, or job search assistance
- Take legal action if your termination violated federal or Connecticut employment laws
- Safeguard your future job opportunities, especially if the agreement limits where you can work or what you can say
If you’ve been asked to sign a severance agreement or believe your employer acted unfairly, don’t wait. Call us today for a free case evaluation.
Hartford Severance Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Why You Shouldn’t Sign a Severance Agreement Without Legal Help
Severance agreements are written by the employer’s legal team, not yours. They are designed to protect the company—not you.
If you were treated unfairly or laid off for an illegal reason, signing a severance agreement could take away your right to sue. An attorney will look for red flags like:
- Waiving claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 if you’re over age 40.
- Unfair non-compete or non-disparagement clauses.
- Language that limits your ability to speak out about workplace harassment or discrimination.
- Inaccurate dates or amounts listed in the agreement.
We believe every worker deserves to know what they’re signing. That’s why we offer to review your agreement to help you decide whether to accept, negotiate, or reject the offer.
Click to contact our Hartford Labor & Employment Lawyers today
What Rights Do You Have Under the Law?
No law in Connecticut requires employers to offer severance pay. However, federal and state laws protect your rights even after a layoff.
Some key protections include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (federal) protects against discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.
- The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA) offers Similar protections under state law.
- The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires large employers to give notice before mass layoffs.
- ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act): If your severance includes retirement or benefit plans, our ERISA attorney in Hartford, CT, will represent you if your employer mishandles these benefits.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
When Severance Agreements Are Used to Hide Unlawful Terminations
Some employers try to avoid accountability by offering severance agreements that require you to waive your right to sue. If you’re being asked to sign away your rights after any of these situations, your employer may be trying to avoid a lawsuit:
- Reporting harassment or unsafe work conditions
- Taking protected leave (like the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA))
- Requesting a disability accommodation
- Speaking up about wage theft or illegal activity
These types of terminations could be illegal. Our team will review what happened and whether you may have a claim. In many cases, we can negotiate a better severance package or take legal action to recover damages.
If you believe your layoff was connected to discrimination, retaliation, or another illegal reason, our firm will take legal action on your behalf.
How Our Employment Lawyers in Hartford Will Protect Your Rights
Depending on the facts of your case, different members of our legal team may take the lead to protect your rights:
Our Hartford workplace retaliation lawyer will:
- Investigate whether your layoff was based on race, age, gender, disability, or another protected trait.
- Build a case showing that your termination violated federal or state anti-discrimination laws.
- Pursue legal action to recover damages and ensure your severance agreement reflects your rights.
Our Hartford employment discrimination lawyer will:
- Examine whether your employer fired you for reporting harassment, unsafe conditions, wage violations, or other protected actions.
- Collect evidence that shows your layoff was retaliatory and unlawful.
- Seek compensation and challenge unfair severance terms.
No matter the situation, our team will hold your employer accountable and fight for the fair treatment you deserve.
FAQs About Severance Agreements and Your Legal Rights
If you’ve been laid off or asked to sign a severance agreement, you probably have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from workers in Connecticut.
A severance attorney in Hartford, CT, from our team can also give you personalized guidance during a free consultation.
What Is a Fair Amount of Severance Pay?
There’s no set rule. Some companies offer one to two weeks of pay for every year you worked there. Others offer more or less. A lawyer can help you figure out if the offer is fair based on your role, time at the company, and how your job ended.
Can I Still Sue if I Sign a Severance Agreement?
Not usually. Most severance agreements include a waiver that says you give up the right to sue. That’s why it’s so important to speak with our employment attorney before signing anything.
Can I Negotiate a Severance Agreement?
Yes, and you should. Employers expect some negotiation. We can help you ask for better pay, more benefits, or changes to unfair clauses.
What If I Already Signed the Agreement?
Depending on your age, you may have a short time to revoke the agreement—often seven days. If you think you were pressured to sign or weren’t told your rights, we may still be able to help. Contact us right away.
Talk to Our Hartford Severance Lawyer Today About Your Contract
You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’ve been let go from your job or handed a severance agreement, we’re here to help. Our team at Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard believes in standing up for workers and holding employers accountable when they violate the law.
We offer experienced legal guidance, and we don’t charge anything unless we win your case. Call us today for a free consultation with our Hartford severance lawyer. We will fight for your rights and hold your employer accountable.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form