Queens Wrongful Termination Lawyer

OVER

$250+ MILLION

recovered for our employment law cases

Key Takeaways

If an employer in Queens fires or lays off an employee for an unlawful reason, such as illegal discrimination or retaliation for protected activities, or in violation of an employment contract, it may qualify as wrongful termination.
Signs of wrongful termination in Queens include inconsistent excuses, suspicious timing, and selectively unfair treatment.
In a wrongful termination claim, you can pursue reinstatement, back pay, “front pay,” and more.
If you need help taking legal action, an experienced Queens wrongful termination lawyer with Joseph & Norinsberg can guide you through every step of the process.

New York has an at-will employment system, meaning that employers can terminate workers for almost any reason. However, there are still certain situations where firing an employee is illegal, such as discrimination or retaliation.

If you’ve been fired under suspicious circumstances, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim. The trusted Queens wrongful termination lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg will listen to your story, investigate your claim, and fight tirelessly for justice if you have a case. Don’t suffer in silence. Contact our tenacious Queens employment attorneys today for a free consultation.

Common Examples of Wrongful Termination in Queens

Wrongful termination in Queens arises in a variety of scenarios, including firings or layoffs that involve the following:

Discrimination-Based Termination

An employer cannot fire a worker based on protected characteristics like gender, age, race, religion, pregnancy, or disability status. For instance, a Queens retailer that fires its only non-white employee for “not being a culture fit” may be open to a wrongful termination claim.

Retaliation for Reporting Workplace Issues

Firing a worker for discussing, reporting, or whistleblowing on questionable or discriminatory conduct in the workplace is considered illegal retaliation. For example, a LaGuardia Airport worker who is targeted for layoffs because they reported a co-worker for sexual harassment may have a case for wrongful termination.

Breach of Contract or Employer Promises

Terminating an employee in violation of a collective bargaining agreement is illegal. A healthcare worker in Queens who was fired by an employer that failed to follow the procedures outlined in a union contract may have a valid wrongful termination claim.

Signs You May Have Been Wrongfully Terminated

Certain signs indicate that a firing may be illegal. Common red flags for wrongful termination in Queens include the following:

You are suddenly fired after submitting a complaint about a manager’s behavior.
Your employer offers inconsistent explanations for your termination.
You are a member of a protected class and are being replaced with someone who is not.
You are unfairly singled out for a teamwide decision or failure.
You are fired after taking earned sick leave, attending jury duty, or participating in union activities.
You are fired after filing a workers’ compensation claim.

What to Do After Being Fired in Queens

If you’ve been fired and suspect a wrongful termination, take thorough notes of your experiences up to and after your termination. Include who was involved, where the relevant incidents occurred, and when they took place, as well as the names of any witnesses who were present.

Save all written communications from your employer and others related to your firing. Review any relevant employment agreements, company policies, and union contracts to see if your employer violated them. The more evidence you can gather, the easier it will be to prove wrongful termination.

It’s important to ensure you file a complaint within the legal time limits, as you may have as little as half a year after a wrongful termination to take action. A trusted employment lawyer can determine the applicable deadline and explain your next steps.

What Compensation Can You Recover for Wrongful Termination in Queens?

Compensation for wrongful termination aims to make the victim “whole” for what they’ve experienced. Damages and remedies you can recover include:

Back pay for lost wages
Reinstatement to your previous position
“Front pay” for lost future income, if reinstatement isn’t feasible
Damages for emotional distress
Punitive damages, in some rare and extreme cases

How a Queens Wrongful Termination Lawyer Can Help

Dealing with losing your job is stressful enough before you have to consider making a complicated legal claim. An experienced Queens employment lawyer can ease your worries by handling all aspects of your case, including gathering evidence to prove wrongful termination and negotiating with your employer to reach a fair settlement.

Your attorney’s thorough knowledge of local laws, courts, and employers can be invaluable in successfully navigating the legal environment and getting the results you deserve.

What Our Workplace Discrimination Clients Are Saying

At Joseph & Norinsberg, we pride ourselves on tenaciously pursuing the best possible outcomes for our clients. Here are some of the testimonials we’ve received from workers we’ve helped:

“I had the pleasure of working with Bennitta Joseph on a very personal case. She was compassionate and understanding, and she made me feel relevant when others did not. She knew the steps and made me understand that this is something to stand for. If you ever need someone on your side, ask for Bennitta.”

– Cheryl P.

“Lots of help with work problems and payment problems.”

– Alejandra S.

“This is one of the best firms you can have backing you. Their highly competent and caring attorneys treated me like family and worked tirelessly on my case to help me achieve my desired outcome—which I did.”

– Rachel W.

“My experience was very good with Joseph & Norinsberg, LLC. Very efficient and above all very responsible. They achieve what is truly right for their client and in a short time.”

– Yudelka M.

Let Our Queens Wrongful Termination Lawyers Help You Get Justice

With over 75 years of combined experience in employment law, Joseph & Norinsberg has the relentless work ethic, exceptional trial skills, and empathy you need to pursue the justice you deserve.

Our trusted and relentless Queens wrongful termination attorneys have extensive knowledge of the constantly evolving laws and a deep understanding of how they impact you.

Consult With Our Legal Team

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Call us at (212) 227-5700

Content Reviewed By:

Jon L. Norinsberg

| Founding Partner

July 9, 2026

Jon Norinsberg is one of New York City’s leading civil rights and trial attorneys, with decades of experience litigating high-stakes constitutional and employment disputes. Jon is known as a fearless, battle-tested trial lawyer who takes on powerful corporations, government entities, and public institutions in cases involving civil rights violations, police misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful conduct.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"Very attentive and responsive firm. Their attention to detail and knowledge of discrimination is very assuring. Recommend highly."

"Experts in discrimination law - highly recommend."

"Great firm and quality service. Highly recommend them for discrimination and wage issues."

"Very attentive and patient professionals. They’re a must for discrimination and pay issues in the workforce."

Our Discrimination Law Case Results

$3 MILLION

Increased client’s severance for being discriminated against for their disability.

$1.35 MILLION

Defended 12 individuals facing discrimination and retaliation based on race and gender in the workplace.

$1.25 MILLION

Race discrimination case against a luxury brand in the fashion industry (confidential).