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Has Your Employer Fired You For Refusing to Commit an Illegal Act?

Has your employer fired you for refusing to commit an illegal act? If so, you may have suffered wrongful termination and are protected by the Sabine Pilot doctrine. It is illegal to do so in the state of Texas, including Corpus Christi. If you are interested, you may be eligible to file an employment lawsuit. Before deciding, though, it may be worthwhile to learn more about Sabine Pilot and other protections for employees in the state of Texas. Regardless, it is a good idea to contact a local attorney. Corpus Christi employment lawyers at Carain Shaw are eager to hear about your case and help you determine if you want to file a Sabine Pilot claim.

What is Sabine Pilot?

Sabine Pilot stems from the Sabine Pilot case which was established in 1985 by the Texas Supreme Court. It was during this case that established the illegality of firing an employee for refusing to commit an illegal act in the state of Texas.

Other statutes which protect Texan employees are:

  • Texas Whistleblower Act: Makes it illegal to retaliate or terminate an employee who, in good faith, reported an ethical or legal violation against their employer.
  • Discrimination laws: Series of laws which make it illegal to discriminate, during any point of the hiring or employment process, based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

These laws serve to protect employees in an at-will employment state. At-will employment dictates that employers can fire employees for almost any reason at any given time. These protections place restrictions on the employer.

Has your employer fired you for refusing to commit an illegal act? If so, you may be protected under Sabine Pilot. To be sure, speak to a lawyer today.

After Being Terminated

Being terminated, especially when it is unjust, is difficult. Here are some tips to help with the aftermath.

What to do when wrongfully fired:

  • Try to remain calm and not act on any negative instincts towards your employer
  • Contact an employment lawyer in your area
  • Inquire the reasons for your termination
  • Request your personnel file

If you are curious about filing a lawsuit, then you need to be sure to hire the right type of legal advocates for your case.

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?

If you are interested in possibly filing an employment law claim, then you need attorney who specializes in business and employment law. Be sure that your advocates are up-to-date on federal and state laws concerning employment law. Each state has its own guidelines concerning employer liability cases and wrongful termination. Fortunately, the lawyers at Carabin-Shaw have offices of dedicated attorneys all over the state, including Corpus Christi.

If you are interested in hiring an attorney, then it is worth contacting one as soon as you can because there is a time limit for when you can file a wrongful termination case. Generally, you have 180 days since your termination to file a case, but this may differ depending on your type of case. Our Corpus Christi employment lawyers are eager to help you with your case.

What Can I Expect?

Has your employer fired you for refusing to commit an illegal act? If so, you can expect to build a case against them with the aid of an employment attorney. You can expect your settlement to be valued by looking into these factors:

  • Lost wages
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost benefits

You may need to disclose the context of your firing, and the events leading up to it. With the help of an attorney, you’ll be able to gather all the information you need to create a case.

What Do I Do Next?

If you have been fired for refusing to commit an illegal act, then you may be protected by Sabine Pilot. It is integral that you speak with a lawyer in the Corpus Christi area as soon as possible. This will guarantee that your advocate knows and understands the relevant and necessary legislation pertinent to your case. If you are looking for reliable and competent help, then contact the attorneys at Carabin-Shaw.

Don’t hesitate. Call our offices toll free at 800-862-1260.


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