Before proceeding, please review the  legal disclaimer.

How Much Can You Get for Suing Your Employer in Texas?

If you’re thinking about suing your employer in Texas, it’s natural to wonder what kind of compensation you could expect. From unpaid wages to emotional distress, the law allows employees to seek various forms of damages depending on the circumstances.

However, it’s important to understand that any dollar amount discussed here is a general approximation. The only way to truly estimate what your case may be worth is to consult with a knowledgeable Texas employment attorney, like those at The Lange Firm.

Types of Compensation Available in Texas Employment Lawsuits

Texas and federal labor laws give employees the right to pursue different kinds of damages depending on the type of workplace violation. These may include:

1. Back Pay

Back pay includes wages and benefits you would have earned had the employer not acted illegally.

This might include:

• Missed salary
  
  
• Overtime pay
  
  
• Lost bonuses or commissions
  
  
• Value of lost benefits like insurance
  
  

📌 Back pay is the most common type of award in wrongful termination and wage violation claims.

2. Front Pay

Front pay compensates for future lost earnings, typically awarded when returning to the same job is not possible.

Factors influencing front pay include:

• Job market conditions
  
  
• Your age and qualifications
  
  
• Severity of your employer’s conduct
  
  

⚠ Important: Front pay must be reasonable, not speculative.

3. Compensatory Damages

These damages cover emotional and financial harm, such as:

• Mental anguish
  
  
• Emotional distress
  
  
• Damage to reputation
  
  
• Job search expenses
  
  
• Medical treatment for stress-related conditions
  
  

🧠 Documented emotional suffering can greatly strengthen your case.

4. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded to punish the employer for especially reckless or intentional misconduct.

Examples of qualifying conduct:

• Repeated harassment or discrimination
  
  
• Willful violation of wage laws
  
  
• Retaliation for whistleblowing
  
  
• Severe FMLA or ADA violations
  
  

💥 These damages can be significant—but they’re not guaranteed and are subject to caps under Texas law.

5. Attorney’s Fees and Legal Costs

Many Texas and federal employment laws require the employer to cover:

• Your attorney’s fees
  
  
• Court filing costs
  
  
• Deposition and expert witness expenses
  
  

✅ This is especially helpful if you don’t have the funds to pay upfront.

How Are These Damages Calculated?

Damages are calculated using multiple factors:

• The type of case (wrongful termination, harassment, unpaid wages, etc.)
  
  
• The duration of the harm
  
  
• Whether the employer’s actions were negligent or intentional
  
  
• The financial and emotional toll on the employee
  
  

🧮 Important: The law expects you to mitigate your losses—this means trying to find new employment and not inflating damages.

Estimated Ranges (Just for Context)

While every case is unique, here are very rough estimates based on recent Texas employment law cases:

⚠ Disclaimer: These figures are not promises or guarantees. Your potential recovery depends entirely on the specifics of your case.

What Increases or Decreases Your Potential Recovery?

Stronger payout if you have:

• Documented evidence (emails, texts, recordings)
  
  
• Medical or psychiatric records
  
  
• Multiple witnesses
  
  
• A clear pattern of misconduct
  
  

Lower payout if:

• You delayed action or missed deadlines
  
  
• You failed to seek new employment
  
  
• You don’t have sufficient proof of harm
  
  

Can You Settle Out of Court?

Yes—most employment lawsuits settle before trial. Settlements are often faster and less risky than courtroom litigation.

Settlement advantages:

• Privacy and confidentiality
  
  
• Faster resolution
  
  
• Reduced legal fees
  
  
• More control over outcome
  
  

💬 Tip: The Lange Firm can help you negotiate a fair settlement and protect your interests.

Why You Should Consult an Attorney First

Before guessing how much you might win, speak to a Texas employment attorney. They will:

• Evaluate the strength of your case
  
  
• Help preserve key evidence
  
  
• Estimate a realistic damage range
  
  
• Handle filing and deadlines
  
  
• Represent you in negotiations or court
  
  

📞 Contact The Lange Firm for a free case evaluation and professional guidance tailored to your situation.

Final Takeaway

While it’s natural to wonder how much money you can receive for suing your employer, the actual value depends on the facts of your case. Emotional distress, lost wages, and even punitive damages may all be on the table—but only a professional attorney can give you an accurate estimate.

🎯 To find out what your case may really be worth, contact The Lange Firm today.