How Much Compensation Can I Expect from a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit?
No one deserves to lose their job for unlawful reasons. If you believe your former employer fired you on illegal grounds, you may qualify for compensation through a wrongful termination lawsuit—but the exact amount of compensation you may receive will depend on a number of factors. No two cases are the same, and certain circumstances may increase or decrease the value of your lawsuit.
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Wrongful Termination Claim?
To secure a settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit, you will need to prove that your employer fired you for an illegal reason. This may include discrimination or harassment based on certain protected characteristics, like race or religion. As such, the compensation you can receive in this type of lawsuit must relate directly to the termination.
New York wrongful termination claimants often qualify for the following damages:
- Lost pay you may have earned if you remained at work
- The value of any lost benefits, such as medical insurance
- Emotional distress you incur due to the termination
- Attorney’s fees, if your lawyer does not operate on a contingency fee basis
- Punitive damages if your employer exhibited willful and wanton negligence
What Factors Affect a Wrongful Termination Claim Value?
Courts determine how much compensation you receive in a wrongful termination lawsuit based on the specific circumstances surrounding your firing. As a result, certain factors have a greater impact on the value of your claim than others.
- Previous wages and benefits: If you had a high-paying job before your termination complete with a full benefits package, you will likely receive a higher settlement than if you worked a minimum wage job.
- Medical costs: An unexpected termination can impact your emotional and physical health. If you had to seek medical treatment in relation to your firing, you may be able to collect compensation for your expenses.
- Emotional distress: Severe harassment or discrimination can lead to anxiety, depression, and other forms of emotional suffering. The more psychological damage you sustain due to the job loss, the higher the value of your claim.
- Extremely egregious behavior: New York courts allow you to claim punitive damages if your former employer exhibited willful and wanton conduct during your termination. Egregious harassment or severe discrimination may result in additional compensation.
Should You Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?
When deciding to file a wrongful termination claim, you may wonder if you need an attorney to represent your lawsuit. The truth is that hiring a lawyer to handle your claim will help you protect your best interests throughout the process, as well as potentially increase your settlement amount.
An attorney can provide a number of benefits for a wrongful termination claim. First, your attorney will have the experience necessary to calculate the estimated value of your claim, and will use these calculations to negotiate with the at-fault party for a higher settlement offer. Your attorney will also have the means to launch an in-depth investigation into your claim, helping you build a stronger claim than you may be able to craft alone.
Your lawyer will also have significant trial experience, which is important if the at-fault party refuses to settle before your court date. Your attorney should be willing to pursue your claim to the furthest extent to achieve maximum possible compensation, and will not settle for an insufficient offer.
To maximize your chances of a successful outcome, invest in a Syracuse wrongful termination lawyer. If you are searching for affordable representation, look for a firm that operates on a contingency fee basis—under this system, you do not have to pay legal fees unless your lawyer wins your case.