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The Daily Insight

Can you sue the government for unlawful termination?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Mar 15, 2026

Legal remedies for wrongfully terminated federal employees are in place, but complex and difficult to navigate on your own. Additionally, many types of wrongful termination in the federal sector may be compensable through lawsuits in the federal courts, either directly or on appeal from federal agency actions.

What can you sue for in wrongful termination?

Wrongful Termination Claims & Lawsuits in California

  • wrongful termination in violation of an implied contract,
  • wrongful termination against public policy,
  • termination for whistleblower activities,
  • termination for exercising rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act or for protected political activities,

Is wrongful termination hard to prove?

Unless blatant, wrongful termination is difficult to prove and requires the employee to document as much as possible and seek effective legal representation from experienced attorneys.

How much should I sue for wrongful termination?

While the average settlement for wrongful termination cases in California is around $40,000, the average value of a court verdict in wrongful termination cases is slightly larger, around $45,000 (but do keep in mind that attorney fees for legal representation in a wrongful termination trial will skyrocket, too).

What happens if you win a wrongful termination suit?

If you win your wrongful termination lawsuit after a trial, the court may order the employer to pay “punitive damages.” Unlike other types of damages awards that are meant to compensate fired employees for their losses, punitive damages are meant to punish employers for particularly outrageous illegal actions and to …

Can you sue for wrongful termination if laid off?

If an employee loses his or her job because the employee has exercised a legal right or complained of illegal conduct, even if that job loss happens in the context of a large layoff, the employee has a legal claim for wrongful termination.

Can I sue my employer for firing me?

For example, you can definitely sue if your employer for wrongful termination if you were fired for reasons that violate anti-discrimination and whistleblower statutes such as: California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) California Family Rights Act (CFRA)

How much should you settle for wrongful termination?

Average Settlements For Wrongful Termination The average settlement for wrongful termination cases that are resolved out-of-court is between $5,000 (or less) to $80,000.

What are the damages for wrongful termination?

These wrongful termination damages may include: Lost wages and benefits; Compensation for emotional distress, physical pain, and/or loss of professional reputation; Attorney’s fees; and/or Punitive damages designed to punish the employer for severe wrongdoing.

How long do wrongful termination cases take?

It takes about six months for the EEOC to investigate the charge after you file it with them. And it takes six months or so to find a lawyer, file the lawsuit, and take some discovery. Most cases settle right before or after the parties start taking depositions.

Can punitive damages be awarded for wrongful termination?

Punitive damages may also be awarded against employers who have engaged in particularly malicious or reckless discriminatory actions. If you have been wrongfully terminated by your employer, you may be entitled to recover damages through a lawsuit.

What can I do if I got fired unfairly?

If you have been terminated unfairly, your first step should be to contact your employer’s human resources department. It is important to note that you will most likely need to exhaust all available administrative remedies before moving on with any legal action, such as an unfair termination lawsuit.