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DFW Employment Law
Texas is at-will — but an illegal firing is still illegal.
"At-will" doesn't mean "any reason goes." If you were fired because of who you are or because you asserted a legal right, the law may be on your side.
In Texas, an employer can fire you for almost any reason — or no reason at all. What they cannot do is fire you for an illegal reason: because of your race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or pregnancy; because you reported illegal conduct or harassment; or because you took legally protected leave. Those firings are wrongful termination.
What "at-will" employment really means
Texas is an at-will employment state. That means, in most cases, your employer can end your job at any time, for a good reason, a bad reason, or no reason — and you can leave the same way. But "at-will" has limits. An employer still cannot fire you for a reason the law specifically prohibits.
When a firing crosses the line into illegal
- Discrimination — you were fired because of your race, color, sex, age (40+), religion, disability, national origin, or pregnancy.
- Retaliation — you were fired for reporting harassment or discrimination, filing a complaint, or cooperating with an investigation.
- Refusing to break the law — under Texas's Sabine Pilot rule, you can't be fired solely for refusing to commit an illegal act.
- Exercising a legal right — such as taking FMLA leave, requesting a disability accommodation, or filing a workers' compensation claim.
- Breach of a contract — if you had an employment contract that limited when you could be fired.
What to do if you think you were wrongfully fired
Write down what happened while it's fresh: dates, who said what, and any reasons you were given. Save emails, texts, performance reviews, and your handbook. Then talk to a lawyer quickly — many wrongful-termination claims run through the EEOC or the Texas Workforce Commission and carry filing deadlines as short as 180 to 300 days.
Do I have a case?
If any of this sounds familiar, let's talk.
- You were fired shortly after reporting harassment, discrimination, or illegal conduct.
- You were let go soon after requesting leave or a disability accommodation.
- You were replaced by someone outside your protected group.
- The reason you were given doesn't match what actually happened.
- You were fired for refusing to do something illegal.
Common questions
Straight answers.
Can I sue if I was fired in Texas?
Possibly. Being an at-will state means most firings are legal, but you may have a claim if you were fired for an illegal reason — discrimination, retaliation, refusing to break the law, or exercising a protected right. A consultation can tell you which category your situation falls into.
What's the deadline to file a wrongful termination claim?
It depends on the type of claim. Discrimination and retaliation claims generally must be filed with the EEOC within 300 days of the firing. Some claims have shorter or different deadlines, so it's best to call early.
Do I need proof in writing?
Helpful, but not required. Patterns, timing, witnesses, and inconsistent explanations can all support a claim. Save what you have and we'll help you evaluate it.
What can I recover?
Depending on the claim, that can include lost wages, reinstatement, compensation for emotional harm, and sometimes additional damages. Every case is different and past results don't guarantee a future outcome.
Areas we serve
Representing employees across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Serving employees across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Charges for the DFW area are handled through the EEOC Dallas District Office and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Take the first step
The sooner you have counsel, the more options you have.
Reaching out today can change the outcome.