Guilford, CT asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for New York

Q: Am I eligible to file a claim even though I wasn't a full time employee?

I worked for a doctor, a patient who is a personal friend of his told him I spoke to her in an unprofessional way. He never asked my side and fired me after I had come in to open his office, several days after initially hearing his friend's side of the story. I feel like it's a defamation of my character and am scared it can affect future employment due to him being a popular office and having connections with other doctors. I've never been written up prior or have had any complaints against me. Since I was a part time employee, I want to know if I have any rights in this. I feel I've been treated unfairly, just want to make sure the law is on my side.

2 Lawyer Answers

A: File a claim for unemployment.

You should recover benefits. Consult with an employment lawyer If the employer challenges your entitlement.

Were any of those patients who relied on the false statements going to offer you money but for the false statements? Meaning you intended to work for them or provide them services which you no longer can? If not how would you prove damages besides recovering unemployment if you were like most, an "at will" employee?

Barry E. Janay
PREMIUM
Barry E. Janay pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: You can probably get workers compensation, but you also were likely an employee at will and therefore can be fired with or without cause.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.