If your termination in Hollywood was motivated by discrimination (animus toward a protected class) or retaliation (punishment for a protected activity), you have the right to pursue a lawsuit. Kaplan Employment Law can help. Find out how.
At Kaplan Employment Law, we represent employees across South Florida, including those working in Hollywood, FL, who have been wrongfully terminated due to retaliation or discrimination. Your story matters, and we’re here to help you seek justice.
Whether your termination happened at a Hollywood Beach hotel, a Memorial Healthcare System facility, a local restaurant, or a retail store along Sheridan Street, you deserve answers and accountability.
If you were fired for standing up for your rights, let us stand with you.
What Is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination happens when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason—such as retaliation or discrimination. Hollywood workers experience this across a range of industries, including hospitality, healthcare, tourism, transportation, and retail.
Kaplan Employment Law is here to listen, advocate, and fight for you.
- Retaliation: It is illegal for your Hollywood employer to fire you for reporting workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, wage violations, or unsafe conditions. This is punishment for engaging in a protected activity.
- Disparate Treatment: If your firing was motivated by animus toward you based on your race, gender, disability, national origin, or other protected class, it may be unlawful. This animus is the core of an illegal discrimination claim.
If your firing was based on retaliation or discrimination, it was not legal. Contact Kaplan Employment Law to fight for your rights
Was My Firing Legal?
Not all firings that feel unfair are illegal. Hollywood’s economy is heavily based on service, hospitality, healthcare, and seasonal tourism—industries where turnover is common. But legal recourse exists only when a termination violates the law.
Examples of firings that may feel unfair but are not illegal:
- Your supervisor simply disliked you.
- Office politics or personality conflicts led to your dismissal.
- You were fired for poor performance or attendance.
- You weren’t given a warning before termination.
- Your employer didn’t provide a reason.
But if the real reason behind your firing was retaliation or discrimination, you may have a wrongful termination claim. Speak with Kaplan Employment Law to explore your options.
Wrongful Termination Claims in Florida Based on Retaliation
Retaliation happens in every industry, including those common in Hollywood—restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, maritime-related jobs near Port Everglades, and municipal workplaces. If your employer terminated you after engaging in protected activity, you may have a retaliation-based wrongful termination claim.
Here’s an overview of the most common retaliation laws that protect Hollywood employees.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
Title VII makes it illegal to fire an employee for reporting discrimination about race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Florida Civil Rights Act of 1991 (FCRA)
The FCRA mirrors Title VII protections under state law and applies to most employers in Hollywood.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA-Related Claims)
If you requested a reasonable accommodation at your Hollywood workplace and were fired afterward, you may have an ADA retaliation claim.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA Retaliation)
Hollywood employees who take FMLA leave for medical reasons, childbirth, or caregiving are protected from termination.
Workers’ Compensation Retaliation
Many Hollywood workers in hospitality, warehouse, transportation, and construction jobs suffer workplace injuries. Florida law prohibits firing someone because they filed a workers’ compensation claim.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA Retaliation)
Retail, hotel, and restaurant workers often report unpaid overtime or improper tip pooling. If you were fired for raising wage concerns, you may have a wrongful termination case under the FLSA.
Your story matters, and Kaplan Employment Law will fight to ensure justice is served.
Does At-Will Employment Affect Wrongful Termination Claims?
Florida is an at-will state, which includes Hollywood employers. But at-will does not protect employers who fire someone for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons. Even in an at-will state, terminations motivated by retaliation or protected-class discrimination remain illegal.
If you suspect your rights were violated, Kaplan Employment Law can review your claim.
How Do I Prove a Wrongful Termination Claim?
Proving wrongful termination means showing that retaliation or discrimination—not performance issues—was the real reason for your firing.
Proving Wrongful Termination Based on Retaliation
To prove retaliation, you must show:
- You engaged in protected activity (reporting harassment, requesting FMLA leave, challenging wage violations, etc.).
- Your employer knew about it.
- You were fired shortly afterward.
- The timing or circumstances suggest retaliation.
Hollywood employees often see retaliation in the form of sudden schedule cuts, negative reviews in hospitality settings, or abrupt termination after HR complaints.
Evidence is key. Kaplan Employment Law will help you gather the proof you need.
Proving Wrongful Termination Based on Disparate Treatment
Disparate treatment occurs when workers of different races, genders, or ages are disciplined differently for the same conduct. For example:
- A Haitian American hotel employee is fired for a minor mistake, while a white coworker who made the same mistake keeps their job.
- A Latina medical employee at a Hollywood clinic is terminated for a first-time infraction, but others outside her protected class are not.
Employer Defenses Against Wrongful Termination Claims
Employers may claim:
- You suddenly had performance issues.
- You violated company policies.
- They were downsizing.
- They were reorganizing.
Red flags that indicate an unlawful termination might include:
- A change in attitude after you complained.
- Inconsistent enforcement of rules.
- Contradictory explanations for your firing.
- Sudden documentation of “performance issues.”
Kaplan Employment Law exposes these tactics and fights back on your behalf.
Filing a Wrongful Termination Claim in Florida
Understanding the EEOC Process in Wrongful Termination Claims
If your claim involves discrimination or retaliation under Title VII or the ADA, you must file with the EEOC. Hollywood employees often submit their charges through the Miami District Office.
We make sure your charge fully captures your claims so you can pursue justice effectively.
Pursuing a State-Based Wrongful Termination Claim
Many wrongful termination claims are also protected by the Florida Civil Rights Act. Through dual filing with the EEOC and the FCHR, Hollywood workers can pursue claims in state or federal court.
Other Legal Options for Wrongful Termination Claims
Claims under the FMLA, Section 1981, workers’ compensation retaliation laws, or the FLSA do not require an EEOC charge.
Kaplan Employment Law guides Hollywood employees through every available legal pathway.
What Compensation Can I Get for Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination often causes financial strain—especially in Hollywood, where many workers rely on hourly wages, shift work, or service-industry income. Compensation may include:
- Lost Wages: Back pay, lost benefits, and future earnings.
- Emotional Distress: Mental and emotional suffering caused by the termination.
- Punitive Damages: When employer misconduct is severe.
- Attorney’s Fees & Court Costs: If you win at trial.
We pursue the maximum compensation available.
FAQs About Wrongful Termination Cases
What qualifies as wrongful termination in Florida?
Termination based on protected class discrimination or retaliation for protected actions is illegal.
What is the most common reason for wrongful termination?
Retaliation is the most common basis for claims.
Do I have a case if I was fired after complaining about discrimination?
Yes, if your complaint played any role in your firing.
Does receiving a severance package mean I have a claim?
Not necessarily. Always speak with a lawyer before signing.
Can at-will employees have wrongful termination claims?
Yes. At-will employment does not permit illegal terminations.
What steps should I take if I believe I was wrongfully terminated?
Document everything, save emails, and speak with an attorney immediately.
How long does a wrongful termination case take?
Anywhere from weeks to years depending on the claim and employer cooperation.
Is wrongful termination common in Hollywood workplaces?
Yes. Hospitality, retail, healthcare, and service-sector employees in Hollywood frequently report retaliation after filing complaints or requesting leave.
Can I be fired in Hollywood for requesting medical leave?
No. If you are eligible for FMLA, termination for requesting or taking leave is illegal.
What if my manager treated other employees differently?
Unequal treatment across protected classes can support a wrongful termination claim.
Why You Should Call a Florida Wrongful Termination Attorney
Your story deserves to be heard. Wrongful termination cases are complex and require careful legal analysis. Attorney Brett Kaplan will investigate your firing, gather evidence, and fight for the justice you deserve.
The Difference Attorney Brett Kaplan Provides
We’ve represented employees across Florida—including Hollywood—who were unlawfully fired by major employers, small businesses, and everything in between. We specialize exclusively in employment law and pursue the maximum possible outcome for each client.
Contact Kaplan Employment Law for a Free Case Review
Wrongful termination can disrupt your life, but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Kaplan Employment Law today for a free case review. We are ready to help you fight back and move forward.
