Lakeland Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Wrongful Termination Lawyer Lakeland, FL

If you were fired and it felt wrong, you’re probably asking yourself whether it was actually illegal. In Florida, those are two different questions. Feeling wronged and having a wrongful termination claim are not the same thing.

Florida is an at-will state, and employers cite that fact constantly. They use it to justify terminations that feel arbitrary, retaliatory, or discriminatory. But at-will employment doesn’t give employers unlimited power. There are clear lines, and when an employer crosses one, there are legal consequences.

Hoyer Law Group, PLLC has more than 50 years of combined experience in employment law, including wrongful termination claims. Our Lakeland, FL wrongful termination lawyer represents both employees and employers, and that perspective makes our case evaluations sharper. We bill hourly or flat-fee. Consultations are $450.

Why Choose Hoyer Law Group for Wrongful Termination in Lakeland, FL?

Employment Lawyers With Trial Experience

Dave Scher has spent his career handling employment disputes, from discrimination claims to whistleblower retaliation. Dave earned his B.S. from Cornell University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. He operates from the firm’s Washington, D.C. office but handles cases nationwide, and he’s regularly cited by ABC News, Forbes, Politico, and MarketWatch as a legal commentator.

Sean Estes is a Super Lawyers Rising Star in employment law. He’s been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer rating for professional excellence and ethical standards. Sean has tried wrongful termination cases to verdict and negotiated resolutions that saved clients the cost and uncertainty of trial.

David Fulleborn, Senior Associate and Director of Litigation, brings additional depth. David is a graduate of Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida, Virginia, and multiple federal courts. He previously founded American Yakers, Inc., a Florida nonprofit, and served in the Armed Forces Benefit Association. His work ethic and litigation background make him a valuable asset in complex wrongful termination matters.

As an employment lawyer in Lakeland, FL, our firm provides the full range of employment law services, with wrongful termination being one of our most active practice areas.

Proven Results in Termination Cases

Our attorneys have secured a $282,000 wrongful termination verdict and a $466,000 Equal Pay Act judgment. We have helped clients recover millions of dollars in employment and whistleblower matters. Those outcomes don’t happen by accident. They come from thorough preparation, honest case evaluation, and willingness to go to trial when necessary.

We Represent Both Sides

We handle wrongful termination claims for employees and defend employers facing termination lawsuits. This dual perspective is rare, and it gives us a meaningful advantage. When we represent an employee, we know exactly how the defense will respond. When we represent a business, we understand what makes a termination claim succeed or fail.

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“From my first call to HLG, my experience was great. Claudia, who did my intake, was extremely caring, helpful, and informative. She quickly got me in touch with Dave Scher, who is an honest, no-nonsense, knowledgeable attorney. He is here to help and guide you through what’s really happening rather than fear monger or predict outcomes like other attorneys. He did wonders for my anxiety. I absolutely recommend him and Hoyer Law Group to anyone facing issues with a past employer.” – Julia Byrd

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Wrongful Termination Cases We Handle in Lakeland

Not all terminations are wrongful in the legal sense. But several categories of firing are illegal, and we handle each of them. Here’s what we see most often in Lakeland and across Florida:

• Discrimination-based termination. If you were fired because of your race, sex, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, or national origin, that termination violates federal law and the Florida Civil Rights Act. We handle these claims from EEOC filing through trial.
• Retaliation-based termination. If you were fired for reporting harassment, filing a wage complaint, requesting FMLA leave, cooperating with an investigation, or engaging in any other protected activity, your termination may be independently unlawful, even if the company had other reasons to be unhappy with your performance.
• Whistleblower termination. Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act protects employees who report violations of law. If you were terminated for objecting to illegal activity or refusing to participate in it, you have a potential claim for damages.
• Termination in violation of contract. If you had a written employment agreement that specified the grounds for termination, and your employer fired you outside those grounds, you may have a breach of contract claim. The same applies to implied contracts created by employer policies or handbooks.
• FMLA violations. Firing an employee for taking medical or family leave, or immediately after they return from it, may violate the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Constructive discharge. If your employer made working conditions so unbearable that you had no realistic option but to resign, the law may treat your resignation as a termination. Proving constructive discharge requires showing that a reasonable person in your position would have felt compelled to quit.
• Pregnancy discrimination. Terminating an employee because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions violates both Title VII and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. These claims are more common than most people realize.

Florida Legal Requirements for Wrongful Termination Cases

Florida’s at-will doctrine is broad, but it has significant exceptions. Understanding where the doctrine ends and legal protection begins is the central question in any wrongful termination case in Lakeland.

The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits termination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. This statute applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Employees generally have 365 days to file an administrative complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

On the federal side, Title VII, the ADA, and the ADEA each create additional protections. Employees must file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the adverse action. The EEOC investigates and issues a right-to-sue letter, which then allows the employee to file suit in federal court.

Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act provides a separate avenue for employees fired for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal activity. Claims must be brought within a limited time period, and the statute requires that the employee first report the violation to the employer before going external, unless specific exceptions apply.

The Department of Labor also enforces anti-retaliation protections under OSHA and other federal statutes. These provisions protect employees who report safety hazards, wage violations, or fraud.

Important Aspects of a Wrongful Termination Case in Lakeland

At-Will Does Not Mean Anything Goes

This is the most important thing to understand. Florida’s at-will doctrine allows employers to fire employees for almost any reason. But not for an illegal reason. Discrimination, retaliation, and violations of public policy are all illegal reasons. A wrongful termination attorney in Lakeland can evaluate whether your firing crossed that line.

The Reason They Gave You Might Not Be the Real Reason

Employers rarely say, “We’re firing you because you complained about harassment.” They say things like “performance issues” or “restructuring” or “not a good fit.” These are pretextual reasons, and proving pretext is a critical part of most wrongful termination cases. Evidence of timing, inconsistent treatment, and shifting explanations all help establish that the stated reason was a cover for something illegal.

You Need Evidence

Start preserving evidence immediately. Don’t delete emails. Screenshot text messages. Save performance reviews, especially good ones. Note the dates and details of any complaints you made. If you were praised last month and fired this month, that discrepancy is exactly the kind of evidence that a wrongful termination lawyer in Lakeland needs to build your case. We discuss documentation strategies with clients from the outset.

Don’t Sign Anything Without Review

Many employers present severance agreements or releases at the time of termination. These documents typically ask you to waive your right to sue in exchange for a payment. Before you sign, understand what you’re giving up. Some of these agreements include non-compete clauses, non-disparagement provisions, or confidentiality requirements that could affect your career for years.

Timing Matters

Federal discrimination claims must be filed with the EEOC within 300 days. Florida Civil Rights Act claims give you 365 days. Whistleblower claims have their own deadlines. These windows close, and once they do, it doesn’t matter how strong your case would have been. A Lakeland wrongful termination attorney can assess your situation and determine whether you’re still within the filing window.

Emotional and Financial Consequences Are Real

Being fired unfairly doesn’t just affect your bank account. It disrupts your career trajectory, your self-confidence, and sometimes your health. We understand that, and we approach each case with the seriousness it deserves. But we also give you honest assessments of the strength of your claim and what realistic outcomes look like, because false hope doesn’t help anyone.

Contact Hoyer Law Group

If you’ve been fired and believe the termination was illegal, don’t wait. Deadlines in wrongful termination cases are strict, and the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the more options you have.

Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation with our wrongful termination attorneys in Lakeland, FL. We’re available 24/7 through live call answering, and consultations are $450.