While an attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been illegally fired, most people are reluctant to seek legal representation. Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, and losing your job means you may not have the means to pay for legal counsel, whether you were wrongfully terminated or not.

Every lawyer charges differently, but will share their rates with you if you ask. Most will also offer free initial consultations. Read on to explore the benefits of hiring a wrongful termination lawyer, and discover how Fieger Law can assist with your wrongful termination claim in Michigan.

What is a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?

Michigan is an at-will employment state, which generally permits employers to fire employees for any reason. However, federal and state law does forbid firing at-will employees in certain situations, like discrimination or because they were exercising their legal rights.

If you’re fired for a protected reason, an employment lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against your former employer for wrongful termination.

A good wrongful termination lawyer in Michigan will have a thorough knowledge of employment law and can pursue damages against your former employer. They can help you collect wages and benefits that you would have received if not for your unlawful firing.

Examples of cases that wrongful termination lawyers handle include firings for:

  • Discussing salary or wage information
  • Unionizing or being part of a union
  • Reporting the employer’s illegal or harmful actions (i.e., whistleblowing)
  • Filing a report of workplace harassment
  • Filing a workers’ compensation claim
  • Filing a claim or report with a federal or state agency (e.g., OSHA or the Wage and Hour Division)
  • A protected characteristic (e.g., race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity)

How Much Does a Wrongful Termination Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a wrongful termination attorney depends on both the law firm and the case itself. At Fieger Law, our wrongful termination attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your judgment or settlement rather than charging you an hourly or flat rate. This also means our clients only need to pay our fee when we win them money.

Schedule a free consultation with Fieger Law today to review your case with a lawyer and ask about potential rates and fees for your claim.

What Are the Benefits of a Wrongful Termination Lawyer?

There are a few rare cases in which you can successfully argue wrongful termination on your own. However, it’s almost always better to hire a wrongful termination attorney.

  • Proving Your Firing Was Unlawful

It’s common for employers to fire an employee under false pretenses, which can make it difficult for the employee to prove wrongful termination. Luckily, employment law lawyers are skilled at uncovering evidence that you were fired for a protected reason instead.

For example, an employer discovers their employee is transgender, writes them up for several minor performance issues, and then fires them for “poor performance.” An attorney can help the employee successfully argue that because they were disciplined after their employer discovered their transgender status and other employees were not disciplined for the same actions, the employee was terminated based on gender identity, not for performance issues.

  • Recovering Compensation

Being wrongfully terminated can have severe financial consequences. The loss of a job means loss of income, and if your employer claims you were fired for misconduct, you may be ineligible for unemployment benefits. Being fired can also make it challenging to obtain a new job, especially if you work in a small field.

Some people may also suffer non-financial consequences as well. For example, an employee may experience emotional distress if they faced severe harassment that forced them to quit.

An attorney can help you recover compensation for the damages you face. For example, they can help you recover lost wages, workplace benefits, or compensation for emotional distress. In some cases, they may even be able to get you reinstated at your job, although many employees choose to accept a settlement to avoid tension in the workplace.

Even if you can file a successful claim on your own, your former employer may try to offer you a lower settlement payment than you deserve. Your attorney can review their offer to ensure they aren’t lowballing you and negotiate a fair settlement.

An Employment Law Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Rights

Fieger Law is ready to pursue your case if you’ve been unlawfully fired in Michigan. Our attorneys are experienced in employment law and wrongful termination cases throughout the U.S. and are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.