The CEO of Wells Fargo recently promised to rehire any of the workers it fired under an aggressive, even abusive, sales structure. Whether some or all of those workers will want their jobs back is an interesting question. If you have been the victim of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination or other employment law violations, the relief you seek really depends on your goals.
The value of your case
Assigning a specific dollar value to a case is not a straightforward exercise. What you can expect depends largely on your circumstances. Your ability to document, present and support your claims, along with your attorneys, dictates how much you can hope to receive. You may be able to get compensation or relief in several forms, including:
- Lost wages/back-pay
- Renewed employment, if you want your job back
- Medical expenses, if any
- Fringe benefits
- Compensatory damages
- Punitive damages
- Injunctive relief
- Legal expenses
Whether you are entitled to any of these forms of relief depends on the violation of your rights. Some laws concerning discrimination include provisions allowing the victim to seek reasonable attorney’s fees. These include Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and more. Punitive damages are available under certain laws in cases where discrimination is done with malice or reckless indifference. It is important to work with an experienced employment law attorney to ensure that you get the full compensation you deserve.
The true value of your case
An employment law case is often about more than money. Of course you want to be compensated for the harm done to you. But do you want your job back, too? For many, the thought of going back to a workplace where they were harassed and abused is enough to inspire panic. Being rehired would be a punishment, not a benefit. Some want to pursue a legal case to put a stop to discrimination and harassment for themselves and others. There is a strong element of public service to standing up to employers who discriminate and mistreat workers. The true value of your employment law case depends on your situation. The best cases change the world for the better and compensate victims for the harm they suffered.
