{"id":3567,"date":"2026-10-25T06:47:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T06:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:36:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T14:36:32","slug":"wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrongful Termination Claim Defense for Florida Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark chg-hero\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(32,36,46,1) 0%,rgba(32,36,46,1) 55%,rgba(32,36,46,0.7) 100%)\"><\/span><img class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3564\" alt=\"Office conference table with legal documents, a pen, and a laptop in a professional setting.\" src=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1.jpg\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 825px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Employment Law for Employers | Coral Gables &amp; Sunny Isles Beach<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\" style=\"text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">Wrongful Termination Claim Defense for Florida Employers<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);text-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.6),0 0 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.35)\">KEW Legal focuses on business law for owners and investors across Miami-Dade and South Florida. Our lawyers, led by Kristina E. Wilson, help employers respond to termination claims with clear documentation, careful analysis, and a plan built around the business.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+13059902300\">Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">Schedule a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By Kristina E. Wilson \u00b7 Published October 25, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n\n<p>A wrongful termination claim defense protects a Florida employer when a former worker says a firing was illegal. Florida lets most employers end at-will jobs for lawful reasons, but some firings break state or federal law. This page covers what a wrongful termination claim defense Florida employer matter involves, from the at-will rule to the first steps.<\/p>\n<h2>What Wrongful Termination Claim Defense Covers for Florida Employers<\/h2>\n<p>Defense work begins when a former employee says a termination broke the law. The claim can arrive in one of three forms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Demand letter:<\/strong> a written demand from the employee or the employee&#8217;s lawyer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Agency charge:<\/strong> a complaint filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lawsuit:<\/strong> a case filed in state or federal court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each form has its own rules and timing. The first task is identifying which one you received.<\/p>\n<p>This work is for owners, managers, and HR leaders in Miami-Dade, Broward County, and across South Florida. Many are dealing with it for a company they run, often right after a firing.<\/p>\n<p>Kristina E. Wilson, the responsible lawyer for this page, and Natalie Martinez handle employment matters as part of the firm&#8217;s outside general counsel work.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-contrast-color has-surface-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--surface,#f2f3f5);color:var(--wp--preset--color--contrast,#22252b);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you just let an employee go, or a demand letter or agency notice just arrived, our team can review the deadlines and facts with you now. Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+13059902300\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/close-up-of-an-office-desk-with-legal-papers-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of an office desk with legal papers, a pen, and a laptop in a professional workspace.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Florida&#8217;s At-Will Rule and the Exceptions Employees Claim<\/h2>\n<p>Florida is an at-will employment state. An employer can generally end a job for any reason, or no stated reason, unless the law forbids it. The Florida Supreme Court restated that rule in <a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/2489373\/opinion\/Opinion_SC2024-1835.pdf\">Gessner v. Southern Co. (2026)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>An at-will worker can be fired at any time. The firing cannot be for a reason the law prohibits, such as retaliation or unlawful discrimination (<a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/165898\/opinion\/Opinion_08-2948.pdf\">Laguerre v. Palm Beach Newspapers<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Employees usually try to fit a claim into one of these exceptions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, pregnancy, national origin, handicap, or marital status, under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.10.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.10<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Retaliation for opposing an unlawful practice or taking part in a charge or investigation, under the same <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.10.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.10<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Whistleblower retaliation, under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0448\/Sections\/0448.102.html\">Florida Private Whistleblower Act<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Discharge over a valid workers&#8217; compensation claim, under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0440\/Sections\/0440.205.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 440.205<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An employee needs a statute or a contract to sue (<a href=\"https:\/\/flcourts-media.flcourts.gov\/content\/download\/2489373\/opinion\/Opinion_SC2024-1835.pdf\">Gessner v. Southern Co.<\/a>). For whistleblower claims, the employee must show the practice was actually unlawful. Whether a whistleblower claim under the Private Whistleblower Act applies depends on the facts of each situation and the requirements of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0448\/Sections\/0448.102.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 448.102<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Three facts usually shape whether a claim gains traction: the reason the employer gave, the timing of the firing, and how similar employees were treated. Shifting explanations can make a stated reason harder to defend. Whether any exception applies turns on the facts of each termination.<\/p>\n<h2>The Claims Employers Commonly Face in Florida<\/h2>\n<p>Each claim below has its own coverage threshold and deadline, so each one needs its own check.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Florida Civil Rights Act.<\/strong> It covers employers with 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.02.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.02<\/a>). A civil action must be commenced no later than 1 year after a reasonable-cause determination or an EEOC Notice of Right to Sue, whichever is earlier. If neither issues within 180 days of the complaint, the action may be commenced no later than 18 months after the complaint (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.11<\/a>). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.11<\/a> reads: &#8220;The commencement of such action shall divest the commission of jurisdiction of the complaint, except that the commission may intervene in the civil action as a matter of right.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Florida Private Whistleblower Act.<\/strong> It covers employers with 10 or more employees (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0448\/Sections\/0448.101.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 448.101<\/a>). An employee may sue within the earlier of 2 years after discovering the action or 4 years after it was taken (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0448\/Sections\/0448.103.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 448.103<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Workers&#8217; compensation retaliation.<\/strong> No employer may discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee over a valid workers&#8217; compensation claim or an attempt to claim compensation (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0440\/Sections\/0440.205.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 440.205<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How the Defense Works: Steps and Timeline<\/h2>\n<p>For a wrongful termination claim defense Florida employer matter, the work usually moves through six steps. It starts with a confidential review.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Intake.<\/strong> A confidential consultation covers the termination, the written complaint or charge, and the dates that apply.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preservation.<\/strong> Personnel files, emails, reviews, handbook versions, and witness notes are collected and protected, so nothing is lost.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fact review.<\/strong> The stated reason is checked against company records and against how comparable employees were treated.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Response.<\/strong> A reply goes to the demand letter, or a position statement goes to the agency, with a clear account of the decision.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resolution.<\/strong> Early resolution or settlement is weighed alongside litigation, including mediation where it is available.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Litigation, if needed.<\/strong> Discovery, depositions, motions, and trial preparation follow. Stage length varies with agency workload and court schedules, so no fixed timeline applies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Several Florida deadlines run from different dates, and the earliest one can control. That is why the first review matters.<\/p>\n<h2>Common Questions Florida Employers Ask Before Responding<\/h2>\n<p>Three factors shape early decisions in these disputes: the records, the reason given at the time, and the proof of motive.<\/p><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can an employer win a wrongful termination suit?<\/summary><p>Results turn on the documents, the stated reason, and the evidence of why the decision was made. No one can promise a result in advance.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is it hard to claim emotional distress damages?<\/summary><p>Under the Florida Civil Rights Act, a court may award compensatory damages, including mental anguish and loss of dignity (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.11<\/a>). The court weighs the evidence in each case.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is it worth defending or settling a claim?<\/summary><p>Compare the cost of defense, the possible exposure, and the effect on daily operations. A court may also award reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees, court costs, and expenses to the prevailing party in a whistleblower case (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0400-0499\/0448\/Sections\/0448.104.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 448.104<\/a>).<\/p><\/details><h2>Why Florida Employers Work With KEW Legal<\/h2>\n<p>KEW Legal handles employment questions as part of outside general counsel work for business owners and investors across Miami-Dade and South Florida. A termination question can be reviewed alongside contracts, partnership disputes, and commercial leases when they are part of the same business picture. The employment work focuses on the employer side of workplace disputes. The firm&#8217;s offices are in Coral Gables and Sunny Isles Beach. Our first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-contrast-color has-surface-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--surface,#f2f3f5);color:var(--wp--preset--color--contrast,#22252b);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-contrast-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+13059902300\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does a Florida employer have to give a reason for firing someone?<\/h3>\n<p>Florida&#8217;s at-will rule generally lets an employer end a job without giving a reason. Any reason the employer does give should match its records.<\/p>\n<h3>What happens after an agency charge is filed?<\/h3>\n<p>The Florida Commission on Human Relations must decide within 180 days of the filing of the complaint whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred. It must promptly notify the aggrieved person and the respondent of that decision, its date, and the options available (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0760\/Sections\/0760.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.11<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3>Can a company respond to a demand letter without an agency filing?<\/h3>\n<p>A demand letter and an agency charge are separate steps, and each has its own timing. KEW Legal can review both with an employer.<\/p>\n<h3>What should an employer gather first?<\/h3>\n<p>Start with the personnel file, the termination documents, communications about the employee, and the handbook in effect at the time.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a-flat-lay-of-an-employment-agreement-on-a-wooden-table-with-photo.jpg\" alt=\"A flat lay of an employment agreement on a wooden table, with Scrabble tiles spelling out words beside it.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Talk Through Your Termination With KEW Legal<\/h2>\n<p>If you just let an employee go, or a demand letter or agency notice just arrived, you may be facing a wrongful termination claim defense Florida employer matter with deadlines already running. You don&#8217;t have to sort them out alone. Call 305-990-2300 or <a href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">send us a message<\/a> to set up a confidential first consultation.<\/p>\n\n<\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>The engagement of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. The information on this website is general information about KEW Legal and the services we offer; it does not constitute legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Accessing this website or contacting our firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. KEW Legal, 16690 Collins Ave Ste 1101, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How We Help Employers Respond to a Termination Claim<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Review of the Record<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We examine personnel files, policies, performance reviews, and the communications that led to the decision so the business understands what the record shows.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defense Strategy<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We evaluate the stated reason for the termination, the timing of events, and the evidence supporting the decision before recommending a course of action.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clear Communication<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain options in plain language and keep owners and managers informed at each stage of the matter.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--users\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business-Focused Counsel<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our approach considers the company&#x27;s operations, relationships, and reputation, not only the legal claim in front of it.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-contrast-color has-surface-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--surface,#f2f3f5);color:var(--wp--preset--color--contrast,#22252b);border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,currentColor);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-contrast-color has-text-color\">Act Early to Protect the Record<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once a termination claim or demand is raised, relevant emails, schedules, write-ups, and personnel files should be preserved. Contact us before making further statements about the employee or the claim.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+13059902300\">Call 305-990-2300<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">Call 305-990-2300<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Where Our Employer Clients Turn for Guidance<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pre-Termination Review<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before a difficult decision is carried out, we review the reasons, documentation, and process to help reduce avoidable risk for the business.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Responding to a Claim<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a former employee files a complaint or demand, we assess the allegations and help prepare a measured, organized response.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Settlement and Resolution<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where appropriate, we discuss resolution options that align with the company&#x27;s goals, budget, and long-term relationships.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Policy and Handbook Updates<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We help employers update policies and handbooks so that future employment decisions are better documented and easier to defend.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--primary,#20242e);color:var(--wp--preset--color--base,#ffffff);padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">Speak With KEW Legal About Your Employment Matter. Our First Consultation Is Free, Confidential, and Without Obligation.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+13059902300\">Call 305-990-2300 or Send Us a Message<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/contact-us\/\">Call 305-990-2300 or Send Us a Message<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/\">Employee Legal Risk for Florida Employers: Hiring, Firing, Pay and Complaints<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- chg:section-siblings -->\n<nav aria-label=\"More in this section\">\n<h2>More in this section<\/h2>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-defense-florida-employers\/\">Wrongful Termination Defense for Florida Employers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/employment-agreements-noncompetes-handbooks-florida\/\">Employment Agreements, Non-Competes and Handbooks for Florida Employers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/harassment-discrimination-complaint-response-florida-employers\/\">Harassment and Discrimination Complaint Response for Florida Employers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wage-overtime-claim-defense-florida-employers\/\">Wage and Overtime Claim Defense for Florida Employers<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<!-- \/chg:section-siblings -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida employer guide to wrongful termination claim defense: the at-will rule, key deadlines, and how a defense works. Confidential first consultation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2362,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_review":"","chg_sendback":"","chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/es\/riesgo-legal-empleadores-florida\/defensa-despido-injustificado-florida\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/\"}]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Kristina E. Wilson\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/our-team\/kristina-e-wilson\/\", \"jobTitle\": \"Founder\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/www.floridabar.org\/directories\/find-mbr\/profile\/?num=71205\", \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kristina-wilson-702b5410\/\", \"https:\/\/www.avvo.com\/attorneys\/33160-fl-kristina-wilson-3417246.html\"]}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"KEW Legal\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/\"}, \"reviewedBy\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Natalie Martinez\", \"jobTitle\": \"Associate Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/www.floridabar.org\/directories\/find-mbr\/profile\/?num=1003311\"]}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can an employer win a wrongful termination suit?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Results turn on the documents, the stated reason, and the evidence of why the decision was made. No one can promise a result in advance.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is it hard to claim emotional distress damages?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Under the Florida Civil Rights Act, a court may award compensatory damages, including mental anguish and loss of dignity (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.11). The court weighs the evidence in each case.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is it worth defending or settling a claim?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Compare the cost of defense, the possible exposure, and the effect on daily operations. A court may also award reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and expenses to the prevailing party in a whistleblower case (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 448.104).\"}}], \"@id\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/#faq\", \"about\": {\"name\": \"Wrongful termination claim defense for Florida employers\", \"@type\": \"Thing\"}, \"@type\": [\"Article\", \"FAQPage\"], \"image\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/office-conference-table-with-legal-documents-a-pen-and-a-lap-photo-1.jpg\"}, {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/#service\", \"name\": \"Wrongful Termination Claim Defense for Florida Employers\", \"@type\": \"Service\", \"audience\": {\"@type\": \"BusinessAudience\", \"audienceType\": \"Florida business owners, managers, and HR decision-makers facing a termination dispute\"}, \"provider\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"name\": \"KEW Legal\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/\"}, \"areaServed\": [{\"name\": \"Miami-Dade County, Florida\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Broward County, Florida\", \"@type\": \"AdministrativeArea\"}, {\"name\": \"Coral Gables, Florida\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Sunny Isles Beach, Florida\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Aventura, Florida\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Doral, Florida\", \"@type\": \"City\"}, {\"name\": \"Brickell, Miami, Florida\", \"@type\": \"Place\"}, {\"name\": \"Fort Lauderdale, Florida\", \"@type\": \"City\"}], \"description\": \"Defense of Florida employers against former employees' wrongful termination claims, including discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, and workers' compensation retaliation allegations, across demand letters, agency charges with the Florida Commission on Human Relations or the EEOC, and state or federal lawsuits. Covers the at-will employment rule and its statutory and contractual exceptions, key filing deadlines, the steps of a defense, and a confidential first consultation.\", \"serviceType\": \"Wrongful termination claim defense\", \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/#faq\"}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\"}, {\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Florida Employers Employee Legal Risk\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Wrongful Termination Claim Defense for Florida Employers\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/florida-employers-employee-legal-risk\/wrongful-termination-claim-defense-florida-employers\/\"}]}]","chg_meta_description":"Florida employer guide to wrongful termination claim defense: the at-will rule, key deadlines, and how a defense works. Confidential first consultation.","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3567","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3567"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5123,"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3567\/revisions\/5123"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}