Unlawful Retaliation in the Workplace: Sabine Pilot Claims in El Paso

Employment law in El Paso gives employers the right to hire and fire employees at their discretion. But what happens if you refuse an order from your superior because you believe your boss’ instructions were criminal? If you live in El Paso and you think you have experienced a case of wrongful termination, understanding the law and seeking legal guidance could be the difference between a failed settlement and full compensation.

Fortunately for employees, El Paso and statewide Texas statutes also include a few exceptions to Texas’ general at-will employment laws. One of the most common is known as the Sabine Pilot exception. The Sabine Pilot rule protects employees from unlawful retaliation and prohibits a Texas employer from firing a worker for the sole reason of a worker’s refusal to commit illegal acts.

At Carabin Shaw, we believe that those who have been terminated in a case of wrongful termination deserve a chance to pursue legal action. When dealing with unlawful retaliation in the workplace, Sabine Pilot claims in El Paso can help successfully present a case of wrongful discharge in front of a judge. However, it is essential to keep in mind that the burden of proof still rests with the employee, who must be able to prove that their refusal was the only reason behind the termination.

Peine v. HIT Services

Joseph Peine was hired as Chief Financial Officer at HIT Services. Before long, Peine realized his superiors were asking him to take borderline illegal measures to fix numbers financial reporting from within the company. He recognized the potential illegality of the orders, and, even after threats from his superiors threatening to ‘clean house,’ Peine refused.

Peine was eventually fired, but not immediately following this refusal. Before they got around to firing him, Peine had breached his employee confidentiality agreement and taken his story to a reporter. This violation affected the validity of his claim that his refusal was the sole reason for the termination. Thus, his attempt to invoke the Sabine Pilot exception failed in front of a judge.

If you or your family’s quality of life has been affected by what you believe to be an instance of wrongful termination, it is your right to hold accountable those who are responsible for your wrongful discharge. After involvement in a case of unlawful retaliation in the workplace, Sabine Pilot claims in El Paso can be pursued, assuming you can prove your employer fired you for refusal to comply with illegal orders.

The best way to maximize your chances is to consult with an expert about your employment lawsuit. If you were involved in a case of wrongful termination in El Paso, a lawyer might be able to help you obtain compensation in many areas, including:

• Loss of wages
• Loss of future wages
• Loss of benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damages

Because each case is different, there is no set amount that Sabine Pilot complainants can expect to receive. That said, lawyers specializing in wrongful termination in El Paso can help you determine a fair amount in damages.

If you think you experienced unlawful retaliation in the workplace and have questions about Sabine Pilot claims in El Paso, we can help. The El Paso employment lawyers from Carabin Shaw have more than 20 years of experience protecting the rights of workers. But our reach extends far beyond just El Paso and West Texas; in fact, we have successfully secured full compensation for countless Texans in practice areas across the state.

We offer all potential clients a free initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, who can answer all your questions and guide you toward maximum compensation.

Our El Paso attorneys will help answer all your questions and navigate your retaliation settlement. Call Carabin Shaw toll-free at 800-862-1260.