Wrongful Termination Settlement Estimator
Estimate your potential settlement based on salary, case type, evidence, and employer size.
Your Employment Details
Estimated Settlement Range
| Component | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Back Pay (lost wages) | $32,500 | $97,500 |
| Front Pay (future earnings) | $32,500 | $97,500 |
| Emotional Distress | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| Punitive Damages | $0 | $191,250 |
| Total | $90,000 | $486,250 |
Estimated attorney fees (33–40% contingency): $100,844 — deducted from your settlement
Federal damages cap for this employer size: $200,000 (compensatory + punitive, excludes back/front pay)
Case Strength Factors
Estimated timeline: 6–18 months (with attorney: faster negotiation)
Important Steps
- 1.Document everything: emails, texts, performance reviews, witness names
- 2.File an EEOC charge within 180 days (300 days in some states)
- 3.Most cases settle — only 5-10% go to trial
- 4.Consult an employment attorney (many work on contingency — no upfront cost)
- 5.Don't sign a severance agreement without attorney review
This tool provides estimates only — not legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult an employment attorney for case-specific guidance.
How Wrongful Termination Settlements Are Calculated
Wrongful termination settlements typically combine several types of damages: back pay (wages lost from termination to resolution), front pay (future lost earnings), emotional distress damages, and in some cases punitive damages. The median wrongful termination settlement in the U.S. falls between $40,000 and $80,000, but cases involving discrimination or retaliation often settle for $100,000 to $500,000 or more. Your actual case value depends on your salary, years of employment, the type of wrongful termination, and the strength of your evidence.
Average Settlement Amounts by Case Type
| Case Type | Median Settlement | Range | Jury Verdict (if trial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racial discrimination | $100,000–$200,000 | $50K–$1M+ | $200K–$500K |
| Gender / sex discrimination | $80,000–$150,000 | $30K–$500K | $150K–$400K |
| Age discrimination (ADEA) | $70,000–$130,000 | $25K–$400K | $100K–$350K |
| Retaliation (whistleblower) | $90,000–$250,000 | $40K–$1M+ | $200K–$600K |
| Disability discrimination (ADA) | $75,000–$150,000 | $30K–$500K | $100K–$350K |
| Breach of contract | $40,000–$100,000 | $10K–$300K | Varies widely |
| Constructive discharge | $50,000–$120,000 | $20K–$400K | $100K–$300K |
Federal Damages Caps (Title VII)
Federal law caps combined compensatory and punitive damages based on employer size. These caps do NOT apply to back pay or front pay — only to emotional distress and punitive damages. State-law claims often have no caps, which is why many attorneys file under both federal and state law.
| Employer Size | Employees | Combined Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 15–100 | $50,000 |
| Medium | 101–200 | $100,000 |
| Mid-Large | 201–500 | $200,000 |
| Large | 500+ | $300,000 |
Key Factors That Affect Your Settlement
Documentation is the single biggest factor in wrongful termination cases. Employees who preserved emails, performance reviews, text messages, and written witness statements settle for 2–3x more than those relying on verbal testimony alone. Filing an EEOC charge creates an official government record and is required before suing under federal anti-discrimination laws. The filing deadline is 180 days (300 days in states with local agencies), so timing matters.
Attorney representation also has a significant impact. Studies show that claimants with employment attorneys receive settlements 3–5x larger on average. Most employment lawyers work on contingency (33–40% of the settlement), meaning no upfront cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a wrongful termination case take?
Most wrongful termination cases settle within 6–18 months if you have an attorney. Without one, the EEOC investigation alone can take 10–12 months, followed by potential litigation that adds another 1–2 years. Only 5–10% of employment cases go to trial — the vast majority settle during negotiation or mediation.
Can I sue for wrongful termination in an at-will state?
Yes. "At-will employment" means your employer can fire you for any legal reason — but not for an illegal reason. You still have a case if you were fired due to discrimination (race, gender, age, disability, religion), retaliation for reporting harassment or safety violations, breach of an employment contract, or violation of public policy (like refusing to break the law). Every state is at-will except Montana, but every state also has wrongful termination protections.
What should I do immediately after being wrongfully terminated?
Request your termination in writing. Save all relevant emails, texts, and documents before losing access. Write a detailed timeline of events while your memory is fresh. File for unemployment (it does not affect your lawsuit). Consult an employment attorney within the first week — most offer free consultations. Do not sign a severance agreement without attorney review, as it typically includes a release of all legal claims.
See also: Alimony Calculator and Divorce Financial Calculator.