Wrongful Termination Statute of Limitations

Fired Wrongfully? Time Is Running Out and You Shouldn’t Wait

Losing your job unexpectedly can feel like someone pulled the rug out from under you. When that firing feels unfair, your head spins even faster. Bills pile up. Self-doubt creeps in. It’s hard to know where to turn. But if your instincts tell you something wasn’t right, trust them. Wrongful termination attorneys can help you understand your options, clarify your rights, and take action before time runs out.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how overwhelming this moment can be. Our New York employment attorneys provide legal support that’s tailored to your situation and grounded in empathy. Laws in the Empire State don’t mirror what’s in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, and that’s exactly why you need someone who knows the local terrain when you’re ready to stand up for what’s right. Understanding how these laws differ helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures your claim follows the right legal path from the start.

Your Time Started Ticking the Minute You Walked Out and Here’s Why That Matters

Those final moments after your firing carry more weight than you might think because they trigger legal rights and deadlines that could affect your entire future. What you do next can determine whether your voice gets heard or your case fades away.

From Manhattan to Buffalo How Long Do You Really Have to File

New York gives you a small window to make big moves. These legal limits on when you can file are called statutes of limitations. And once they expire, your opportunity to take action can disappear for good. Every type of wrongful termination claim follows its own ticking clock, and to make it even harder, the timelines don’t all match up. 

If your employer handed you a severance package and expected you to walk away quietly, stop and consider what that paper really means. Signing too soon could hurt your chance at filing a claim, especially if you’re unsure which deadlines apply to your case. That’s why negotiating a severance package the smart way matters because it could give you leverage or even extend the time you have to act.

Here’s a snapshot of typical deadlines:

• Discrimination claims (filed with NYS Division of Human Rights): 1 year from termination
• Federal discrimination claims (EEOC): 300 days if also covered by state/local law
• Breach of employment contract: 6 years under New York law

One mistake and your claim might never get heard. If you faced retaliatory action by your employer, you may have only one year to act. Miss that window and your chance to pursue justice could be gone for good. Don’t let your rights fade away while you wait for things to settle down because timing can change everything.

Not All Laws Play by the Same Clock Some Give You Days Not Months

Some firings follow a different path especially when fraud or serious misconduct is involved. If you were punished for exposing false billing or fraud against the government, the False Claims Act could apply. This law gives employees the right to take legal action and holds employers accountable for defrauding federal programs. The protections are powerful but timing is everything. If you wait too long to take action or file the wrong way, you risk losing your shot completely.

Your Rights Shouldn’t Be a Guessing Game Know What Covers You

When the law protects some actions and not others, the details matter more than ever. Knowing exactly what qualifies as wrongful termination can be the difference between a closed door and a clear path forward.

Fired for Speaking Up or Being You? That’s Not Just Wrong It Might Be Illegal

Not every firing is straightforward. Sometimes it’s tied to race, age, or disability. In other cases, it happens after you’ve reported unsafe work conditions or raised concerns about shady practices. And sometimes, it’s a matter of broken promises like when an employer fails to follow through on a contract. Even favoritism in the workplace or bullying, while not always illegal by itself, can cross the line when it’s aimed at someone because of a protected characteristic.

Each situation sits under a different legal category. That means different filing rules, proof requirements, and strategies for moving forward.

Examples include:

• Discrimination: NYS Human Rights Law, NYC Human Rights Law, Title VII (federal)
• Retaliation: Labor Law §201-d, Public Health Law §244
• Breach of contract: Based on verbal, written, or implied agreements

Assumptions won’t help here. Your case might involve overlapping protections or require specific steps for filing a complaint, including meeting deadlines that differ based on the type of discrimination you’ve experienced and the agency you file with.

Don’t Let a Missed Date Keep You from the Justice You Deserve

Deadlines may seem like dry technicalities, but they determine what justice you can pursue and when. Whether you were fired while on disability or due to discriminatory reasons, your situation may qualify as wrongful termination, and that makes acting quickly essential.

You’ve been through enough. Don’t let one missed deadline shut the door on your shot at accountability. You deserve to be heard. You deserve a chance to fight back.

Don’t Let Your Rights Slip Away in the Subway Rush Act Now

Acting fast starts with being smart about what you hold onto. Before you reach out for help, make sure your records are working in your favor.

Start by Saving Everything Even That Awkward Slack Message

You just got fired and everything feels like a blur but acting fast can be the difference between silence and accountability. If you were fired while on disability leave, documentation matters more than ever. Emails, Slack threads, personnel files, and even brief comments from colleagues can show how your employer handled your termination. Start saving everything now while it’s fresh because even a small detail could help support your claim.

Don’t Wait for a Sign Call a Lawyer Before You Hit the FDR Again

You’re not expected to sort this out by yourself. If your firing followed a complicated or unclear situation involving medical or family leave, your protections under Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights could affect your next steps. Acting early opens the door to more legal options, helps preserve valuable evidence, and lets you regain control before deadlines close in.

Legal counsel can:

• Determine the right claim and deadline
• Help safeguard evidence
• Ensure timely, proper filing

If that termination happened in a workplace where mistreatment was already a pattern, it’s worth asking what was really going on. Working in a toxic environment can take a serious toll on your mental and emotional health and may also serve as critical evidence if your termination was tied to ongoing mistreatment or retaliation. This is your career, your income, your name. Addressing it now can make all the difference in how you recover.

Your Next Step Toward Justice Starts Here

If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated in New York, it’s important to act quickly. Connect with Horn Wright, LLP, to speak with experienced wrongful termination attorneys who will evaluate your case, clarify your rights, and take immediate steps to protect your interests. With deep experience handling employment disputes across the state, they’re ready to stand up for you. Take control of your next move by contacting us today.