Can you sue your job for firing you?

Asked by: Dr. Cristina Nicolas  |  Last update: June 22, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (25 votes)

The bottom line is, yes, you can potentially sue your employer for firing you, but it depends on the circumstances of your termination. Employment law is complex, and each case is unique.

When can you sue your employer for firing you?

For example, in California, you can sue your employer for wrongful termination if you were fired for reasons that violate the following anti-discrimination and whistleblower statutes: California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL)

What are the odds of winning a wrongful termination lawsuit?

When you have a lawyer for a wrongful termination case the likelihood of receiving compensation is 64% and the likelihood of receiving compensation without a lawyer is 30%. Most Californians can expect a wrongful termination settlement of approximately $5,000-$100,000.

How do you deal with being fired unfairly?

Negotiating with the Employer Initiating discussions with the former employer to negotiate reinstatement, severance packages, or settlements can be a viable strategy. Professional mediation or arbitration may also facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution.

What is an example of wrongful termination?

Examples of wrongful termination

Your termination could be wrongful if your employer fired you: Due to discrimination. In violation of a federal or state labor law. Because you reported and refused to participate in harassment.

Top 5 Reasons To Sue Your Employer

25 related questions found

Can HR fire you without proof?

Under at-will employment, HR can terminate employees without needing proof or a reason. This means they may end employment at any time.

Is it worth fighting wrongful termination?

Depending on your wrongful termination case, you may be able to get your old job back. You may also be entitled to lost earnings, emotional distress, and even punitive damages, which can be far larger than any wages you were cheated out of.

What are my rights if I get fired?

Workers' Rights After Being Fired

If you have already been fired, you still have rights under California law. For example, upon termination, your employer is required to provide your final paycheck immediately or within a specified time frame, depending on whether you were fired or quit voluntarily.

How to win wrongful termination?

One of the most effective ways to support your wrongful termination case is through detailed documentation. Keeping a record of your job performance, disciplinary actions, and interactions with supervisors or HR departments can strengthen your claim.

What not to say in termination?

11 Things You Should Never Say When Firing an Employee
  • “This is really hard for me.” ...
  • “I'm not sure how to say this.” ...
  • “We've decided to let you go.” ...
  • “We've decided to go in a different direction.” ...
  • “We'll work out the details later.” ...
  • “Compared to Susan, your performance is subpar.”

Is it expensive to sue for wrongful termination?

Mimi Moore, a partner in the labor and employment practice with Bryan Cave LLP, says that each legal claim an employee brings against an employer in court could cost the company between $50,000 and $250,000 in legal fees and potential settlement payouts.

How much can I sue my employer for emotional distress?

The second type of emotional distress claim is one that is worth more than $50,000 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the factual circumstances. You would need one or more medical opinions to support this claim and be prepared to have those medical advisors testify in court.

How often do companies settle out of court?

Some researchers claim that the 90% figure is a gross exaggeration. Research does indicate that settlement rates vary between different court jurisdictions and even different types of lawsuits. Still, a significant percentage of business-related lawsuits do eventually settle outside of court.

Has anyone ever won a wrongful termination lawsuit?

Many wrongful termination cases result in favorable outcomes for the employee, either through settlements or court verdicts. Successful cases can result in compensation for lost wages, damages for emotional distress, and even punitive damages in some instances.

Can I sue for quiet firing?

If the tactics used in quiet firing violate specific provisions of the California Labor Code—such as wage and hour laws, safety regulations, or other employment standards—the employee might have a basis for a complaint or legal action against the employer.

What makes a strong retaliation case?

What Makes a Strong Retaliation Case? A strong retaliation case has clear evidence linking an employee's protected action, like reporting harassment, to an adverse reaction from the employer. Demonstrating this connection can lead to a successful retaliation settlement.

How do you respond to an unfair termination?

Employees who feel unlawfully terminated can bring a wrongful termination claim and seek damages. For their part, employers should retain a skilled employment defense attorney to assist in responding to such claims and avoiding wrongful termination allegations from arising at all.

What is the process of suing for wrongful termination?

It's crucial to gather Evidence supporting your claim of termination to build a case. Gather documents like employment contracts, performance reviews, emails, and statements from witnesses that show behavior retaliation actions taken against you from your employer's whistleblowing activities or other illegal actions.

How to win an unfair dismissal case?

You'll need to show the tribunal evidence that your employer didn't have a fair reason for dismissing you. You only have 3 months less a day from being dismissed to begin early conciliation or tell Acas you intend to make a claim to an employment tribunal. Talk to an adviser if you're thinking about making a claim.

What do I get if I get fired?

A severance package may include a lump sum payment, health insurance, continuing payments and outplacement program services. Generally speaking, employers in California are not required by state employee laws to provide layoff or severance pay to their employees.

Can you be fired without evidence?

At-will employment in California

At-will employment allows employers to fire employees without needing to provide a reason or proof. This means that HR can terminate your job at any time, for any reason at all, or even for no reason. However, this does not give employers carte blanche to fire employees illegally.

Can I say I quit if I was fired?

Hiring managers ask a number of questions during the recruitment and hiring process. Often, hiring managers want to know about your reasons for leaving a past position when screening applicants. If you were fired from that job, it's best to prepare in advance to answer as positively as possible.

How much does it cost to sue for wrongful termination?

Based on the average settlement or award received by our readers who had attorneys ($48,800), along with the average contingency fee percentage, typical attorneys' fees paid by our readers were about $14,200.

Is suing your employer worth it?

The answer depends on your claims and willingness to pursue litigation. If your claims are strong and you are invested in the litigation process, it can be very “worth it” to feel you are standing up for accountability, getting compensation for your injuries, and incentivizing the company to change its ways.

Can you sue if you get laid off?

No matter how unfair it might feel to suddenly lose your job, you generally can't sue an employer simply for laying you off. This is because, in California, most employees are considered “at will.” At-will employment means that your employer can legally fire you—and you can quit—at any point and for almost any reason.