Do I have a case against my employer?? Law advice

Hi everyone,   I am hoping that I can hear from others that have been in a similar situation - or know of anyone that has been involved in a wrongful termination case.   I am recently laid-off (2 weeks ago). I was at my company for 2 years and 2 weeks. They were fully aware of my Crohn's Disease. My Cronh's never interfered with my doing my job. I rarely, almost never, called in sick. My director went as far as to tell me that my disease was never an issue.   The beginning of March I was told that I was having surgery April 7th. I made my work aware of my surgery and the time off that I would need (roughly 2 months). There never seemed to be an issue - but really what can they say anyway….   Well 2 weeks went by and to my surprise (the day before I was leaving for vacation) they lay me off - citing 'downsizing". They laid me and another woman (who just got back from maternity leave) off.   I am wondering, does this seem like "suspect timing" or coincidence? I am thinking about seeing a lawyer before I sign the separation agreement to get my severance.   Any thoughts? Or am I wasting my time…  

i don't think it can hurt to explore your options- just don't risk your severance

Are there others there doing the same job who have less seniority who were not let go? If yes, then that should give you some idea as to your answer. There are so many lay offs right now that it is hard to say, but if there were a lot of people to choose from, yet the company chose to lay off you who just "happened" to be going out on a sick leave, then perhaps you have a case.

thanks everyone for your responses. Yes, there are people that do the same job as me (I worked at an online marketing agency) that have less senority. I was one of a couple that had been there the longest. I was going out on short term disability for my leave - also using 5 unused sick/vacation for the 1st 5 days (policy). I know it is a tough case - since everyone is getting laid-off...but to me, their timing is suspect.

Trust me, I am not one to try to sue people. I have never done it and if I didn't feel like they did this with alterative motives, I would never see a lawyer. I am calling a lawyer tomorrow in Boston and see if he can see me before I have to fax my seperation agreement by Wednesday. I just don't want to feel like I wasting the lawyers time.

Hey, I worked for lawyers over 20 yrs. Do not ever feel like you are wasting their time. Thats how they get their business is people coming in with potential cases. It up the lawyer to cull his appts and decide if he may be able to build a case out of something.

I recommned you find an employment law atty that specilzes in employment law. Since time is an issue you may have to settle with a phone consult, just check it out to settle your mind one way or another. Yep, they are difficult to prove but can be done. Susie