$5 million Executive
Severance Pay
$4 million Whistleblower
Retaliation
$1.5 million Retaliation
$1.2 million Whistleblower
Retaliation
$1.1 million Age
Discrimination
$1 million Gender
Discrimination

Wrongful Discharge Claims

Have You Been Terminated From Your Job?

Most individuals are loyal, work hard and do not expect to be fired for no reason. What many employees do not realize is that they work “at will,” which means they can be fired at any time for any reason as long as it is not an unlawful reason.

If an employer is motivated by unlawful considerations, there may be grounds for a wrongful discharge claim.

If you have been fired because of an employer’s illegal action, you need a highly skilled employment attorney to fight for your rights. The law firm of Lenzo & Reis, LLC, in Morristown, works with employees throughout New Jersey who have lost their jobs because of discrimination, retaliation or other violations of the law.

What Are Grounds for a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit in New Jersey?

While not every employment termination is illegal, grounds for a wrongful dismissal claim include the following:

Discrimination – The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination makes it illegal for an employer to fire an individual because of his or her age, race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, pregnancy, marital status, domestic partnership status, civil union status or military service.

Retaliation – An employee cannot be terminated for engaging in a legally protected activity such as aiding another employee in pursuing discrimination or harassment claims, seeking or taking legally protected leave for a family member’s or for their own serious health condition, or making a claim for workers’ compensation.

Whistleblowing – Under the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, an employee who discloses, testifies, objects to or refuses to participate in conduct that the employee reasonably believes is a violation of law or public policy is protected from retaliation. The conduct at issue may occur in many areas of law and could involve but are not limited to:

  • Workplace safety issues
  • Environmental problems
  • Fraud
  • Food and Drug Administration violations
  • Securities and Exchange Commission violations
  • Improper health care

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who complain about unlawful discrimination or harassment.

Violations of public policy – An employer cannot fire an individual for exercising a constitutional right such as freedom of expression. for example, the New Jersey Supreme Court has held that an employee who is not in a safety-sensitive position cannot be fired for refusing or failing a random drug test because to do so would violate the employee’s constitutional right to privacy.

Breach of contract – An employer cannot terminate an employee in violation of an oral or written contract that limits the grounds for termination or provides for employment for a specified term.

At Lenzo & Reis, LLC, we know that getting fired can be devastating, especially for an individual who has been unjustly terminated. If you were discharged illegally, you may be able to recover money damages for lost pay, lost benefits, emotional distress, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

We Will Work to Understand Your Unique Circumstances and Protect Your Rights

Our lawyers routinely represent employees in New Jersey in wrongful termination cases. By understanding the unique circumstances of your wrongful dismissal, we will resolve your claim either by negotiation, mediation or litigation in the courts. If you believe you were unjustly fired, email or call Lenzo & Reis, LLC, today at (973) 845-9922.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Professional and Knowledgeable Attorney. At what was supposed to be the highest point in my career suddenly became the most harassing and lowest point of my career and I was passed over for a promotion. Not because the other person was more qualified than I was, but because I followed the law and did the right thing and the people I worked for did not like that. After researching several attorneys, my wife and I found Claudia, and the decision to retain her was the best decision we ever made. After explaining our case to Claudia, we found that she was not only extremely professional but a very caring human being. Throughout the entire process of our case, Claudia was there with us every step of the way. She explained every single proceeding that we had to go through and guided us, not only as a professional attorney in and out of court, but personally as a caring and understanding person. Because of her extensive working knowledge of employment and labor laws, Claudia was able to successfully resolve our case. My wife and I will always be extremely grateful for Claudia’s hard work and dedication, and we highly recommend Claudia Reis to anyone seeking an attorney who practices in employment and labor laws." John
★★★★★
"Professionalism, integrity, and determination. Outstanding representation! Chris Lenzo did an outstanding job in my employment discrimination case. He responded to my questions in a timely fashion, provided clear communication through each step of the process, and handled my case in an honest and straight forward manner. Chris’s expertise in employment law along with his hard work ensured justice would prevail in my case and got me the compensation I deserved. Likewise, Chris’s law firm staff was professional, courteous, organized, and effective. I highly recommend Chirs Lenzo’s firm to anyone with an employment legal matter in New Jersey or New York." Sofia
★★★★★
"Remarkable professional. I have worked with Ms. Reis and her firm for the past three years. During the consultation process, you will immediately experience her compassion as she offers suggestions and guides you through the difficult situation you are dealing with. Her attention to detail, timely follow up and candid manner ensured me that I was well-protected and represented. Ms. Reis always went above and beyond to protect me legally. She is a very strong and tough (when necessary) advocate for the individual she represents. Her support staff is equally diligent. I would recommend her without reservation." A.M.