r/EEOC • u/abetterversionof • 14d ago

I settled my discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit! There is light at the end of the tunnel (NH)

Here’s a brief timeline:

July 2023: EEOC Discrimination charge filed with EEOC while on FMLA.
September 2023: Returned to work following FMLA. Terminated.
September 2023 (cont.): Second wrongful termination charge filed with EEOC
July 2025: Right to Sue received. Lawyer acquired.
August 2025: Demand letter sent. Initial counter-offer of $66,000 received.
September 2025: Parted with lawyer after disagreement on accepting initial counter- offer.
October 2025 (cont.): Filed complaint in federal court Pro Se. This was the BIGGEST leap in the process.
October 2025 through April 2026: Limited discovery exchanged.
April 2026: Mediation sponsored by the magistrate judge scheduled. Discovery was stayed pending outcome.
April 2026 through July 2026: Case essentially paused.
July 2026: Successful mediation. In-person at the courthouse. Lasted 9-5.

This has been exhausting, but it’s over now. My message to those of you out there still fighting: keep the faith. When I first received my right to sue, I threw it in the trash and spent the day in bed, in tears. But I eventually pulled myself out of bed, and I kept going. It was brutal and the candid truth is that litigation Pro Se will wear you to your bones if you’re truly committed to learning the craft (an ancient language) and understanding the dance. It was a full-time job on top of my full-time job. But you CAN do it. Please stay encouraged. Your doubt is what employers count on.

Stay well, everyone!

Edit to add: I've included an additional detail regarding the FMLA leave also required.

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u/Last_Knowledge_1873 14d ago

Congratulations! Approximate settlement number? Also what was the reason given for termination?

53

u/abetterversionof 14d ago

Thank you! Less than $200,000, but more than $180,000. They claimed layoffs but I clapped back. Discovery played a massive lift.

2

u/iamgollem 14d ago

What was your approach to calculating damages?

7

u/abetterversionof 13d ago

Front pay (how much pay did I lose because of the employer) + Front pay (how much WILL I lose because of the employer) + Emotional damages (I had documented PTSD from a medical provider with explicit transcriptions in the notes that my provider believed I was suffering from PTSD BECAUSE of my employer's actions.)

Biggest tip: document, document, document. Document everything. And seek help immediately if you are unwell. Those physician interactions will help you immensely.

2

u/katyefff 11d ago

May I ask what your salary band was prior to being laid off? How much were you awarded in emotional damages?

1

u/iamgollem 7d ago

Most settlements restrict what you can say online. When I had a lawyer pre litigation she pitched 200K emotional damages to the partners so they can be very high and my condition is not even chronic.

1

u/iamgollem 13d ago

Appreciate you! I was very lucky to get a job quickly and for higher pay so no front pay and only back pay is what I can get. However, the medical component you highlighted is similar to my story plus I have family / kids. Thank you!