texas law

What are the damage caps for employment discrimination cases and how do they apply?

There are damage caps for employment cases under both federal law and Texas law. These caps are based on the size of the employer and apply to what are known as punitive and compensatory damages. Compensatory and punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving intentional discrimination based on a person’s race, color, national origin, […]

What are the damage caps for employment discrimination cases and how do they apply? Read More »

Can you sue your supervisor or the employee who is discriminating against you or just your employer?

Under Federal and Texas law you can only sue your employer for discrimination. As an El Paso, Texas employment lawyer I have many employees who come see me tell me they really want to sue their supervisor who has been harassing them or retaliation and discriminating against them. While there was some question at one

Can you sue your supervisor or the employee who is discriminating against you or just your employer? Read More »

Your employer cannot fire you for refusing to do an illegal act, unless you work for the government?

The Sabine Pilot doctrine provides a cause of action for an employee who was discharged for refusing to commit an illegal act. Sabine Pilot Service, Inc. v. Hauck, 687 S.W.2d 733 (Tex.1985). Your employer cannot fire you if you refuse to do an illegal act. However, if you work for the government (city, state school

Your employer cannot fire you for refusing to do an illegal act, unless you work for the government? Read More »

Can you sue your employer for refusing to do an illegal act even if there is a specific anti-retaliation federal statute? The answer seems to be yes. A good day for truck drivers in Texas.

In Texas it is illegal to fire someone who refuses to do an illegal act. However, some actions an employee refuses to commit are prohibited by federal laws that have their own anti-retaliation protections. Some employers have tried to keep employees from suing for refusing to do an illegal act by claiming that the employee

Can you sue your employer for refusing to do an illegal act even if there is a specific anti-retaliation federal statute? The answer seems to be yes. A good day for truck drivers in Texas. Read More »

You can sue your employer if you are fired for refusing to do an illegal act, the reason for your termination must be only the refusal to do an illegal act an no other reason. This is known as sole cause.

The cause of action for refusing to do an illegal act in Texas requires a plaintiff to prove that refusal to commit an illegal act was the “sole” reason for the discharge. The “sole” reason standard is more difficult to satisfy than the “motivating factor” standard of for most wrongful termination claims, and it might

You can sue your employer if you are fired for refusing to do an illegal act, the reason for your termination must be only the refusal to do an illegal act an no other reason. This is known as sole cause. Read More »

Whistleblowing is not protected by the Whistleblower Act unless a whistleblower’s report is to an “appropriate law enforcement authority.

Whistleblowing is not protected by the Whistleblower Act unless a whistleblower’s report is to an “appropriate law enforcement authority. See Gov’t Code Ann. § 554.002. First, it should be understood that the whistleblower act of Texas only applies to government employees. There is no general whistleblower statute for employees of private non-government employees. It is

Whistleblowing is not protected by the Whistleblower Act unless a whistleblower’s report is to an “appropriate law enforcement authority. Read More »

If you are fired and you have unpaid commission can you still receive the commission or is it contingent on being employed?

As an El Paso employment lawyer I see a lot of fired employees who don’t necessarily want to sue for wrongful termination but want to be paid for commission that they believe they are owed but remains unpaid. The law generally says that you are owed the commission unless the commission agreement says that it

If you are fired and you have unpaid commission can you still receive the commission or is it contingent on being employed? Read More »

So you have been given a bad job reference by your ex-employer. Can you sue for defamation (libel/slander)?

As a general rule you can sue someone who makes a false statement about you that hurts your reputation subject to certain privileges. You should note that if the statement or reference is true or is an opinion it is not subject to a lawsuit for defamation (libel/slander). A former employer’s response to a prospective

So you have been given a bad job reference by your ex-employer. Can you sue for defamation (libel/slander)? Read More »

Age discrimination is the most insidious discrimination.

Age discrimination is the most insidious discrimination. A recent government study shows that old workers are systematically discriminated against in employment. Older women received the highest amount of discrimination. This is illegal under both Federal and State law. https://www.theladders.com/p/16251/new-study-proves-it-is-harder-to-find-a-job-as-you-get-older

Age discrimination is the most insidious discrimination. Read More »

​Wrongful Death—Gross Negligence—Risk Analysis

Wrongful Death—Gross Negligence—Risk Analysis—Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company v. Rogers, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2017 WL 3776837 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2017)—The Workers’ Compensation Act preserves the right of a deceased employee’s survivors to sue for wrongful death caused by an employer’s gross negligence. Tex. Lab. Code 408.001(b). This case outlines the standards and means of proof of

​Wrongful Death—Gross Negligence—Risk Analysis Read More »

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