Wrongful Termination

Wrongful Termination Attorneys in Memphis, TN

Were You Wrongfully Dismissed From Your Job? Give Us a Call (901) 209-5500.

At Donati Law, PLLC, we know that your career allows you to maintain the lifestyle you enjoy. We also know that you work very hard to support the needs of your family, which is why our experienced legal professionals are committed to defending the rights of employees who have had their rights violated by their employers. If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job for reasons that violate federal or state labor laws, you can take legal action against your employer to recover compensation.

What is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in violation of the law or an employment agreement. This means the dismissal was illegal based on federal, state, or contractual protections.

Common grounds for wrongful termination include:

Discrimination – Firing someone based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other protected characteristics under laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Retaliation – Terminating an employee for reporting discrimination, harassment, unsafe working conditions, or other legal violations (whistleblower protection laws apply).
Violation of an Employment Contract – If a written or implied contract guarantees job security, firing the employee in violation of that contract may be wrongful termination.
Breach of Public Policy – Dismissing an employee for reasons that violate public policy, such as firing someone for serving jury duty, taking family/medical leave (under FMLA), or refusing to participate in illegal activities.
Constructive Discharge – When an employer creates such a hostile or intolerable work environment that the employee is forced to quit, it may be considered wrongful termination.

Wrongful termination cases typically require legal action, and the employee may be entitled to damages, reinstatement, or other remedies. If you believe you've been wrongfully terminated, consulting an employment lawyer is advisable.

What Does At-Will Employment Mean?

Tennessee is an at-will state. This means that you are subject to termination whenever your employer decides, for no reason at all. However, there are exceptions to this, such as if the dismissal violates employment law. You cannot be fired based on your gender, race, religion, age, national origin, or disability. You also may not be retaliated against for filing for workers' comp benefits. Under the Tennessee Public Protection Act, you cannot be discharged for refusing to participate or refusing to remain silent about illegal activities.

If you were released for any of these reasons, do not hesitate to contact Donati Law, PLLC. Our employment law attorneys have helped countless individuals in Memphis since 1980.

We handle high-stakes employment law disputes on behalf of:

Employees
Employers
Independent Contractors
Executives
Members of the C-Suite

Call (901) 209-5500 to schedule your consultation with a member of our law firm to get started on your wrongful termination case.

State & Federal Protections Against Wrongful Termination

Several federal laws protect employees from being fired illegally:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibits termination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Protects employees from being fired due to a disability if they can perform the essential job functions with reasonable accommodation.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – Protects employees 40 years or older from being fired due to age discrimination.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Provides job protection for eligible employees who take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) – Prohibits firing employees for reporting unsafe working conditions.
Whistleblower Protections – Employees cannot be terminated for reporting illegal activities, fraud, or safety violations.

Tennessee law reinforces federal protections while also adding state-specific safeguards:

Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) – Similar to Title VII, it prohibits termination based on race, sex, age (40+), national origin, or disability. This law covers smaller employers (with 8 or more employees) that federal law may not reach.
Public Policy Exception – Tennessee courts recognize an exception to at-will employment: An employer cannot fire someone for reasons that violate public policy. Examples in clude refusing to engage in illegal activities, filing a workers' compensation claim, and serving on a jury.
Tennessee Whistleblower Act – Protects employees from being fired for reporting illegal or unethical behavior by their employer.
Workers' Compensation Retaliation – Employers cannot fire an employee for filing a workers' compensation claim.

If an employee believes they were wrongfully terminated, they can:

File a complaint with the EEOC (for federal violations).
File a complaint with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) (for state violations).
File a lawsuit for damages such as back pay, reinstatement, and emotional distress.

Our Legal Team Will Aggressively Defend Your Rights

Filing a wrongful termination lawsuit is not only your best option to recover the financial compensation you deserve, but it also sends a clear message to your employer and other unethical employers that illegal business practices have serious consequences.

Contact our law firm if you were fired for any of the following reasons:

Retaliation for whistleblowing
Unpaid overtime
Wage & hour issues
Sexual Harassment
Discrimination based on your age, race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation

We have over 150 years of combined experience, and we are dedicated to helping clients throughout the greater Memphis area resolve their wrongful termination cases.

When you choose Donati Law, PLLC to represent you, we will:

Negotiate settlement offers on your behalf
Obtain and file all the important documentation and paperwork needed for your case
Investigate the circumstances of your firing to obtain crucial evidence for your case

Take Legal Action to Protect Your Rights. Give Us A Call Today at (901) 209-5500!

Are you ready to take action and hold your employer accountable for wrongfully firing you? Then call our law firm to speak with a seasoned employment law attorney about all of your legal options. We will carefully analyze your case and build a strong legal strategy so you can pursue justice.

Contact us to set up your case consultation with our lawyers in Memphis, TN.

Recommended Reading

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