In the eyes of the law, it seems obvious that no employee should be required to carry out illegal acts demanded of them by their employer. However, in Corpus Christi as well as Texas, this was not explicitly against the law until the Sabine Pilot v. Hauck case that occured in 1985. In the case, an employee was fired for refusing to illegally pump bilge water into the ocean. Since this case, it has become a part of business and employment law that employees cannot be fired for refusing to participate in unlawful activities.
If you were demanded to commit a criminal act in the workplace by your employer and were fired, you are a victim of wrongful termination. Being fired can be a dizzying and troublesome experience, which is where Corpus wrongful termination attorneys can help. If you’re wondering what you can do if you’ve been wrongfully terminated in Corpus Christi, continue reading, or feel free to contact our helpful team at Carabin Shaw today.
How Texas Employment Law WorksMany states across the U.S. are formally recognized as at-will employment states, meaning that employees can be fired for essentially any reason at any time without warning unless a prior written agreement states otherwise. Texas is no exception. States apply varying levels of limitations to this standard of employment, and Texas has very few limitations, the most notable being Sabine Pilot.
This exception, however, is a limited one, and the court places the burden of proof on the employee, who has to show their sole reason for being fired was their refusal to commit an illegal act, and that act must be subject to criminal penalties to qualify. The complexity of this law makes it important to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney to begin an employment lawsuit. If you’ve been wrongfully terminated in Corpus, Carabin Shaw can guide you through the following steps of what you can do.
Your Next StepsWrongful termination is, by definition, wrong. No one in Corpus Christi should be subjected to firing for refusing to commit an illegal act. If you or a loved one has found yourself in this unjust scenario, you need a lawyer on your side that you can depend on. Carabin Shaw knows that a wrongful termination can be stressful and challenging, so our lawyers are here to do everything in our power to make the legal experience as comfortable as possible.
With over 200 years of combined experience and countless wins to our name, our Corpus employment lawyers stand ready to hear your case with a free consultation and make sure the scales of justice weigh in your favor. Call Carabin Shaw today at 800-862-1260.