Fort Worth Discrimination Attorney

Fort Worth Lawyer for Unlawful Discrimination Based on Protected Class

Federal and state laws protect employees from discrimination that is motivated by a person's membership in a legally protected class. Illegal discrimination may be based on age, sex (including but not limited to sexual orientation), race, religion, national origin, or disability. No one deserves to have their career damaged and lose income because of an inherent and constitutionally protected trait. If you have been wrongfully terminated or harmed by workplace discrimination, you may have legal recourse.

It can sometimes be difficult to prove your case, because employers rarely admit that they are motivated by discrimination. They usually make up a false reason for termination. What we look for are "clues" – what is there that shows the termination was illegal? What is there that shows that the reason the employer gave is false? The lawyers at Hutchison & Foreman, PLLC are experienced in assessing and pursuing discrimination claims.

Lawyer for Proving a Discriminatory Cause

When a person is fired for an illegal reason, be it because they blew the whistle or because of their skin color, it must be proven that the firing was motivated by the illegal purpose and not by some other issue. Proving motivation is often the most challenging aspect of a case, as employers frequently argue that there was a legal ground for the firing.

Before you are actually terminated, you may notice that you are suddenly getting negative performance reviews or facing harsh criticism when your job performance has never been an issue before. You may find yourself facing a hostile work environment, as it would be easier for your bigoted employer if you simply left. These may be signs that your employer is contemplating firing you for a discriminatory reason and is building an excuse. The best thing to do if you observe this pattern of conduct is to contact an attorney at once. As soon as you alert us to your situation, we will begin working to collect evidence in your favor.

Investigating alleged workplace discrimination must be done delicately and with skill, but at the same time, aggressively. At Hutchison & Foreman, PLLC, we take any kind of unlawful workplace discrimination incredibly seriously, and we will do everything in our power to find the evidence we need to prove your case.

Legal Help With Administrative Requirements and Deadlines

There are a few steps you will need to take before filing a claim. This can be done with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). First, we will help you file a "charge," which sets out the grounds for your complaint.

There are strict deadlines at both the federal and state level for you to file the charge after harassment has taken place. Federal law gives you 300 days from the date you became aware of the discrimination. In Texas, you have 180 days to file. The administrative agency may or may not investigate, but it should issue you a document called a Notice of a Right to Sue. When you have this notice, you can proceed with a lawsuit. If you do not file a charge and get this notice, you are unlikely to be able to sue. It is of critical importance that you take the correct steps to protect your right to take legal action against an employer who has acted illegally.

There are more tight deadlines after you get your Notice of a Right to Sue. Under federal law, you have 90 days to file suit. Under Texas law, you have 60 days to file a lawsuit from the time you get your Notice. It is best to work with an attorney who can help you keep track of these very short and strict deadlines.

Get Help From a Fort Worth Workplace Discrimination Lawyer Today

Time is of the essence in a workplace discrimination claim. The sooner you get the legal advocacy you need to file a discrimination charge and obtain a right to sue, the better we can serve you. Contact Hutchison & Foreman, PLLC online or call the firm at 817-336-5533 for a free case evaluation. We have offices in Fort Worth and Lubbock, and we provide representation for clients throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.