My brother has worked for a photo company for 5 years now. About 2 years ago the company sold each store to separate individuals who wanted to buy each store. He was worked for the new owner for about 2 years now. He was never given any health benefits, dental etc. Only his monthly wage. He had an emergency and since his new owner never came through with his health insurance (like he said he would) he now has a balance due to the hospital for over $3,000 dollars. Now, about 6 months later now, his boss told him that he is going to have to fire him, my brother asked why, and his boss replied with “business is slow, I don’t like how you are” he was very vague in his specific reason. My brother pleaded with him that he is now in debt because he failed to arrange health benefits for him. His boss gave me a 1 month notice before he will be terminated. Does he have a case? Can he sue for the hospital bill and wrongful termination? Who tells someone they will fire them in 1 month? Is his boss trying to make it look like my brother put in a “2 weeks notice” to perhaps avoid paying unemployment benefits? We need help or a lawyer, if you feel there is a case here. Thank you Oh by the way, he is now being sued by the hospital because he cant afford to pay the $3,000 dollars.

-- Terry Wesley (twesley@cts.com), November 03, 2003

Answers

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR STATE IN WHICH YOU LIVE HOWEVER, IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WHERE I LIVE, UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE UNDER THE "AT-WILL" LAW, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN BE FIRED WOUTHOUT ANY REASON, LET ALONE SOME REASON. THIS HAS HAPPEND TO ME. AM SORRY.

-- VAN GATHRIGHT (GATHRIGHTSR@AOL.COM), February 08, 2004.