Seattle Age Discrimination Lawyer – What Constitutes Age Discrimination?

Every day in the United States, dedicated employees are fired after working at the same company for 20, 30, 40 or more years. Not only is this wrong, but if the primary reason for such termination is due to age, the termination is illegal under state and federal law.

If you are over the age of forty and were fired, harassed, refused a promotion, or not hired due to your age, you may have been the victim of age discrimination.

Upon learning about the facts and circumstances of your matter, I can advise you as to whether I believe that a case of illegal age discrimination exists, and what legal options may be available.

The Federal Law on Age Discrimination

The federal statutes protecting workers against age discrimination were enacted under The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA). Age discrimination includes being fired, not being hired, unequal or reduced pay, and/or segregation based on a person’s age. If an employer or potential employer performs any of these discriminatory acts, they are in violation of Section 623 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.  State discrimination laws also prohibit age discrimination, and in some cases are more favorable than federal laws.

Determining Whether You Have a Case of Age Discrimination

I invite you to contact my firm to schedule a consultation with me at your convenience so that I may learn about your case.

Because of important deadlines by which an age discrimination case must be filed (known as the statute of limitations), it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

If it appears that you were subject to illegal age discrimination, I can advise you of the alternatives and options that may exist for seeking compensation or corrective action, as well as how I can help.  In some instances, a negotiated settlement for compensation may be the desired objective; in other cases, litigation may be required.

Similarly, if you were terminated as the result of age discrimination, you may also have a separate claim for wrongful termination.  In this case, I can help you determine what relief may be appropriate, such as getting your job back or monetary compensation.

State and Federal Processes for Age Discrimination

Age discrimination cases can involve multiple processes, as federal and state statutes have different requirements.  Litigation for cases based upon federal law require that a complaint first be filed with an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) field office before a lawsuit can be initiated.

Unlike other discrimination matters, those filing age discrimination lawsuits do not need to wait for receipt of a “Right-to-Sue” letter from the EEOC before initiating litigation. Instead, age discrimination lawsuits can be filed as soon as 60 days following the filing of a charge with the EEOC. I can discuss these options and requirements for you so that you can make the decision that is best for you based upon your situation.

It is not required that you file with EEOC before filing a lawsuit under Washington State law.  The choice of bringing federal or state claims is a complex and subtle one, and it is a good idea to consult with a lawyer about the question.

Please Call Me Today at (206) 324-8969 to Learn More About Your Legal Rights and Options