Building a Strong Wrongful Termination Case

 Posted on January 28, 2025 in Wrongful Termination

Losing a job is never easy. It can be emotionally and financially draining. In Maryland, employees work "at will," meaning that they can be hired or fired for any reason. There are exceptions to this rule, however, and if an employer fires an employee for a legally prohibited reason, that is called wrongful termination and can be grounds for a lawsuit. Employees facing what they believe is a wrongful termination should consult with an experienced Silver Spring, MD employment attorney who can represent their rights and build a strong wrongful termination lawsuit.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of the terms of their employment contract or certain laws. Common situations that can be characterized as wrongful termination in violation of the law include:

• Retaliating against an employee for whistleblowing about workplace wrongdoing, filing a worker’s compensation claim, or complaining about workplace safety

• Discriminating against an employee based on characteristics protected by law

• Firing an employee for taking medical leave

• Firing an employee for taking time off for other protected situations such as military leave, jury duty, or voting

Top Tips for Building a Strong Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

Collect Evidence

If you are concerned that you may be wrongfully terminated, start gathering evidence as early as possible. Strong cases require the support of documentation including emails, performance evaluations, pay stubs, and memos. Keep a record of unlawful treatment such as discrimination or retaliation.  

Identify the Cause of Termination

Note the reasons given for your termination, such as a violation of policy or poor performance. If your performance reviews are inconsistent this can help prove retaliation, for example. This is where any documentation can come in especially handy. 

Get Legal Advice

By reaching out to an attorney early, you can get important information about the strength of your case and come up with a legal strategy for your case. Your attorney can also evaluate the evidence and weigh in on its strength.  

File a Complaint

In some cases, it may be necessary to file a formal complaint with a government agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR). 

Gather Witness Testimony

Start thinking about individuals who could make good witnesses in your case to testify about workplace wrongdoing and discrimination at the workplace and bolster your case. 

Contact a Bethesda, MD Wrongful Termination Attorney

You may feel understandably distressed if you have been wrongfully terminated from your employment. Attorney Lindsay Freedman at Freedman Law, LLC represents employees in wrongful termination lawsuits. Our experienced Potomac, MD employment law attorney can build a strong wrongful termination case to ensure that you retain your rights. Call the office at 410-290-6232 for a consultation. We offer reasonable fees.