[fabsroman]

GOB,

I am sorry to hear about your wife. You might want to speak to an attorney, but do not get your hopes up and do not retain an attorney that is not willing to take the case on a pure contingency basis (i.e., not a penny comes from you). If an attorney is not willing to take this type of case on a pure contingency basis, then the attorney doesn't think it is a good case.

I have had several people come to me after they get fired/laid off to see what their legal avenues are. For the most part, when it is an employment at will agreement with no union contract and no employment contract, there aren't many avenues available. In an employment at will situation, the only recourse the employee has against the employer for being fired/laid off is if the employee was fired based upon one of the protected classes (e.g., age, sexual orientation, sex, religion, Americans w/ Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act). That is not an exhaustive list, so see a labor attorney in your state and get his/her opinion on this matter.

Good luck and hopefully this works out for the better (i.e., your wife gets a better paying job with a better work environment).