When you're fired because you engaged in protected activity or because of your protected class, you have rights to pursue a lawsuit. Kaplan Employment Law can help. Find out how.
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Losing your job is hard. But when your termination is unlawful, it’s more than just unfair—it violates your rights. At Kaplan Employment Law, we fight for employees who have been wrongfully terminated due to retaliation or discrimination. Your story matters, and we’re here to help you seek justice.
If you were fired for standing up for your rights, let us stand with you. Schedule a free case review today with a Fort Lauderdale, FL employment lawyer.
Wrongful termination happens when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason—such as retaliation or discrimination. If this sounds like your situation, Kaplan Employment Law is here to listen, advocate, and fight for your rights.
If your firing was based on retaliation or discrimination, it was not legal—and you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Kaplan Employment Law to fight for your rights.
Not all firings that feel unfair are illegal. At Kaplan Employment Law, we understand the frustration of losing a job, but legal recourse exists only when a termination is based on a protected class or because you engaged in a protected activity.
Examples of firings that may feel unfair but are not illegal:
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 legal options
Retaliation has no place in the workplace. Yet many employees are fired after standing up for their rights. 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 laws that protect an employee from wrongful termination based on retaliation.
Title VII makes it illegal to fire an employee for reporting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or national origin. A Title VII retaliations lawyer can help you file a lawsuit if you were filed for reporting discrimination under Title VII.
The Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA) provides the same protections as Title VII under Florida law.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees from termination after requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability. If you were fired after asking for accommodations, you may have a valid claim under the ADA with the help of a wrongful termination lawyer.
Under the FMLA, eligible employees are entitled to take unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons, including serious medical conditions and childbirth.
If you were terminated for taking or requesting FMLA leave, you may have a case for wrongful termination. An FMLA protections lawyer at Kaplan Employment Law can help determine whether your rights were violated and what options you have to hold your employer accountable.
Florida law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ compensation claims for injuries sustained on the job.
If you were terminated because you filed a workers’ compensation claim, you may be able to pursue a wrongful termination case based on retaliation. Employees should never have to choose between reporting an injury and keeping their job, and our workers’ compensation lawyers are here to protect your rights.
The FLSA protects employees’ rights related to minimum wage, overtime pay, and more. If you were fired for reporting FLSA violations—such as unpaid overtime or improper tip pooling—you may have a wrongful termination case under this law. Employers are not legally allowed to terminate employees who bring attention to wage violations.
Your story matters, and Kaplan Employment Law’s FLSA lawyers will fight to ensure justice is served.
Florida is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can fire employees for any reason—or no reason. That said, there are exceptions: terminations motivated by discrimination or retaliation are illegal. Even in an at-will state like Florida, an employer cannot fire you because of your protected class or for engaging in a protected activity under the law.
If you suspect your termination violated your rights, Kaplan Employment Law can review your claim and help you seek justice.
Proving wrongful termination means showing that your firing was based not on performance or company policy but on retaliation or discrimination.
To establish a retaliation-based wrongful termination claim, you must present evidence that your employer fired you because you engaged in protected activity, such as reporting discrimination, sexual harassment, or requesting medical leave.
Evidence is key to a successful claim. Kaplan Employment Law will help you gather the proof needed to build a strong case.
Disparate treatment occurs when your employer fires you because of who you are, rather than simply reporting discrimination. Disparate treatment occurs when employees of a different protected class are treated differently (for instance, not fired) under similar circumstances.
If you suspect your termination was illegal, Attorney Brett Kaplan can help you collect the necessary evidence to make a strong case.
Employers often try to justify firings with legitimate-sounding reasons, such as poor performance or downsizing. But if their reasoning doesn’t add up, it could be a pretext for wrongful termination. Look at for things like:
To overcome these defenses, it’s crucial to show that their stated reasons are pretextual—excuses masking unlawful motives. Evidence like sudden hostility after protected activity or inconsistencies in their explanation can reveal the truth.
At Kaplan Employment Law, we expose these tactics and fight back against employers who try to cover up wrongful termination.
The process for a wrongful termination case often begin with filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The charge of discrimination is a critical filing that lays the foundation for your claims, and will be scrutinized during litigation. At Kaplan Employment Law, we ensure your story is told and every possible legal theory of wrongful termination is articulated in the EEOC charge. This process is required for claims under Title VII and the ADA.
During the EEOC process, efforts will be made to resolve your case through negotiation or mediation. But at Kaplan Employment Law, we don’t settle for less than full value. If an acceptable resolution cannot be reached, we will file your case in court once the EEOC issues a right to sue letter.
That said, not all claims require an EEOC charge. Claims for workers’ compensation retaliation, FMLA retaliation, or those under Section 1981 (race-based discrimination and retaliation) can be filed directly in court without going through the EEOC. Let Kaplan Employment Law guide you through this process and fight for your rights.
Florida also provides specific protections under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 (FCRA). Through a dual-filing process, your charge with the EEOC can also be automatically filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR). This is required to pursue claims under the FCRA. This dual filing expands the options available to you by allowing you to pursue your claim in state or federal court. At Kaplan Employment Law, we ensure that this critical step is completed accurately and strategically.
Claims for Workers’ compensation retaliation, FMLA retaliation, or those under Section 1981 (race-based discrimination and retaliation) can be filed directly in court without involving the EEOC. Wrongful termination also claims under the FLSA do not require filing with the EEOC.
At Kaplan Employment Law, your story matters, and your fight for justice is our fight. Let us help you navigate the process and secure the justice you deserve.
If your employer illegally fired you, you may be entitled to significant compensation under Florida and federal law.
Kaplan Employment Law is committed to securing maximum compensation for wrongful termination victims. We fight for every dollar you deserve.
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I searched for an employment lawyer and found Brett Kaplan. I needed a strong negotiator for my severance agreement and felt like I could trust Brett. Brett was able to negotiate a higher severance for me and I couldn't have been more satisfied! The process was easy, smooth, and pain free. If I ever need him again, I'll surely be circling back! Thanks, Brett.
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In Florida, wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired because of their protected class or because the employee engaged in protected activity. To prove wrongful termination, you must show that the employer’s stated reason for firing you is not credible and that the true reason was discriminatory or retaliatory.
According to the EEOC, retaliation is the most common reason for wrongful termination. Retaliation occurs when an employer fires an employee after—and because—the employee engaged in protected activity, like filing a complaint about discrimination, sexual harassment, or filing for FMLA or workers’ compensation.
If you were fired after complaining about discrimination, you may have a wrongful termination case. That said, your employer can present a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the termination. That said, your employer may argue that the termination was for a legitimate reason, like performance issues. To prove your case, you’ll need to show that their stated reason is not credible and that your protected activity or protected class was the real cause.
Not necessarily. Receiving a severance agreement does not mean you have a claim for wrongful termination. But when an employee receives a severance agreement upon their termination, the employee should consult an employment lawyer before signing. An employment lawyer can evaluate whether you have a claim for wrongful termination and, if needed, use the potential claim as leverage to negotiate a better severance package. Alternatively, an employment lawyer may suggest suing the employer rather than signing the severance agreement if a valid claim for wrongful termination exists.
Yes. Florida is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can terminate employees for any reason, or no reason, except for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons. If you were fired because your protected class or for engaging in protected activity, you may still have a wrongful termination claim, even as an at-will employee.
The timeline depends on the type of claim and if your employer is agreeable to pre-suit resolution. Sometimes, claims are resolved within weeks. On the other hand, taking a case all the way to a trial could take about two years. At Kaplan Employment Law, our goal is to pursue the full value of your case, no matter how long it takes.
Your story deserves to be heard—especially when your rights have been violated. Wrongful termination claims involve complex legal procedures, tight deadlines, and the need for compelling evidence. Working with Attorney Brett Kaplan means having a passionate advocate who will listen to your story, investigate your case, and fight tirelessly to achieve justice.
At Kaplan Employment Law, your story fuels our commitment to achieving the maximum outcome. When you’ve been wronged, your fight for justice becomes ours.
At Kaplan Employment Law, we know that every wrongful termination case is more than just a legal matter—it’s your life, your livelihood, and your future. By specializing exclusively in employment law, we provide focused and skilled representation designed to bring your story to light and pursue the outcome you deserve.
We’ve successfully represented employees across Florida in wrongful termination claims, securing justice for those whose rights have been violated— even against the largest corporations. Your story fuels our commitment to achieving the maximum outcome possible, no matter how long it takes.
Wrongful termination can derail your career—but you don’t have to fight alone. At Kaplan Employment Law, we listen to your story, fight for your rights, and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.
Let us help secure the justice you deserve. Fill out our contact form today or call us to schedule your free case review and start moving toward a resolution.