Grounds for a Chicago Wrongful Termination Case

Employers have significant leeway to hire and fire employees, but that leeway is not unlimited. Federal, state, and city laws define several categories of improper or discriminatory reasons that employers cannot use as a basis for job termination.

If you believe you have grounds for a Chicago wrongful termination case, do not hesitate to contact our award-winning wrongful termination attorneys at Wanta Thome for a no-fee phone conference. We can assess your rights to hold your employer accountable and collect compensatory damages for the harm you have suffered. Our results-driven team has a solid record of resolving employment discrimination cases quickly through strategic negotiation and aggressive litigation.

What Are Some Common Grounds for a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit?

Many illegal firing claims involve reasons such as discrimination, where the facts reflect that a Chicago employee was fired due to their:

• Ethnicity, country of origin, or skin color
• Religious beliefs
• Gender or sexual orientation
• Military service or discharge status
• Physical or psychological limitations or disabilities
• 40 or more years of age
• Arrest or conviction records
• Child-bearing or family obligations

Federal law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who submit safety violation reports to federal, state, or city work safety regulators or who file whistleblower reports against their employers when they observe violations of applicable laws. Likewise, employers cannot fire an employee who takes time off to serve on a jury, for military reserve training, or for a legitimate reason to take family medical leave.

Further, where employees have written employment contracts that specify a definite period of employment, an employer cannot fire those employees before the expiration of their guaranteed employment term without good reason for termination.

When Should You File Your Wrongful Termination Case?

The deadlines for filing your Chicago claim will depend on the basis for your dismissal and the regulatory agency that will first review your unlawful dismissal case. Consider these deadlines:

• File federal claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days of the discriminatory event, or within 300 days if the event also supports a state or city discrimination claim
• File claims with the Illinois Department of Human Rights within two years under recent state law changes
• File tort claims within one year if a government agency employed you
• File lawsuits under the Illinois Whistleblower Act within three years, or common law retaliatory discharge lawsuits within five years, such as for workers’ compensation claims
• File breach of contract lawsuits within 10 years if an employer terminated you in breach of a written employment agreement

This broad range of deadlines creates a real risk of losing your opportunity to recover damages if you miss your window. Call Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers as soon as you believe your employer fired you on improper grounds. If you retain our services and we accept your case, we can analyze your situation and ensure we file your claims well before applicable deadlines lapse.

Call Our Team at Wanta Thome To Discuss the Basis for Your Chicago Illegal Firing Claim

At Wanta Thome, our passionate employment lawyers provide seasoned information and advice about the grounds for a Chicago wrongful termination case. Each day you wait gives your employer more leverage and limits your ability to control the outcome. Contact us now to protect your rights and your recovery.