Losing your job can be devastating. While employers may fire employees for nearly any reason and at any time, they are not allowed to terminate workers for a prohibited purpose such as discrimination. If your employer wrongfully fired you, you may have legal rights to recover damages. Among the damages that you might be able to recover is something called front pay. The attorneys at Swartz Swidler can review your potential claim and advise you about the rights that you might have.
What is front pay?
Front pay is a type of damages that may be awarded in some wrongful termination employment claims. It is meant to compensate workers so that they will be made whole.
Front pay may be awarded when an employee cannot be reinstated to his or her former job. The position may have been eliminated or filled, for example. To make up for the inability to order reinstatement to your job, a court may order your former employer to pay you front pay. It might also be awarded in situations in which there is substantial anger from your former employer, making it impossible for you to return to your job.
How does front pay differ from back pay?
Back pay and front pay are different types of compensation. Back pay is a type of damages that pays you the wages that you would have received if you had not been fired. Back pay is calculated from the date that you were fired until the date the court issues a judgment in your favor.
If an employee is awarded back pay but refuses a position that is similar to the previous job, the employer may have a right to end the back pay. For front pay, employers cannot end it.
Front pay vs. future earnings
Front pay and future earnings are different. Front pay is meant to compensate workers who were wrongfully terminated. Future loss of earnings is a compensatory award that may be recovered in personal injury claims, meaning the two originate from different legal claims.
Do you need an attorney for a front pay claim?
If your employer wrongfully fired you from your job, it is a good idea to talk to an employment law attorney as soon as possible. The lawyers at Swartz Swidler can advise you about your rights and might help you to file a claim with an administrative agency or in court. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
