What Damages Can You Recover From a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit?

What Damages Can You Recover From a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit?

A wrongful termination will result in you losing more than just your job. You will lose your income, you may be unable to support yourself or your family for some time, and your reputation could even become damaged as a result. Being fired is never easy, but when the termination was illegal, it is even more devastating. If you have been unfairly terminated, it is important to speak to a Columbus employment lawyer. A lawyer can help you file a claim based on the illegal firing, and help you recover certain damages, which are found below.

Compensatory Damages

Like their name suggests, compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for any loss you sustained as a result of the wrongful termination. There are many types of compensatory damages available in wrongful termination lawsuits, and they are as follows:

• Back pay: These damages are intended to compensate for the income you lost as a result of being fired. Typically, they are calculated from the date of your termination to the date of the final judgment in the lawsuit.
• Front pay: Unlike back pay, front pay is meant to compensate you for any income you will lose in the future. These damages can be calculated from the time you were fired to the time you were reinstated in your job. If you do not return to your job, you can receive a lump sum.
• Benefits: If you received benefits as a condition of your employment, such as health insurance, you can back-date these to recover the benefits you missed as a result of the termination.
• Emotional distress: You can also claim damages for any emotional distress the wrongful termination caused you.

Liquidated and Treble Damages

Liquidated damages are also called “double damages” because they are equal to the amount of wages you lost. If you are awarded liquidated damages, you can receive twice the amount of your lost wages. Treble damages are very similar, except that you will receive three times the amount of your lost wages.

Punitive Damages

If your employer intentionally violated the law by wrongfully terminating you, such as if your firing was based on discrimination, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are not awarded in all cases, and they are also capped at twice the amount of compensatory damages, up to a maximum of $350,000.

Attorneys’ Fees

You should always hire an attorney to help you file your claim. Many people fail to do this because they think it is too expensive. However, you can include these fees in your claim so you receive the sound legal advice you need, without being responsible for the cost.

Our Employment Lawyers in Columbus Can Help You Claim Full Damages

The above damages are just a few of the most common available in wrongful termination claims. If you have been unfairly fired, our Columbus employment lawyers at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC can advise on the full damages to which you are entitled. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation so we can advise on your case.