You need to talk to an employment lawyer in your area about this.  It is quite possible that your rights have been violated.  One place to find an attorney is our website, http://attorneypages.comMost employment is at will, which means that the employer does not need a reason to fire you.  There are some illegal reasons for firing, but no reason at all is required.However. There is a federal law, the Family & Maternity Leave Act ("FMLA") that grants you up to 12 weeks, without pay, to care for a family member, and you cannot lose your job for taking it.  Your employer is required, by that law, to give you notice of your right to that.  So there is a possibility that a skilled employment lawyer could help you with this.The fact that there was a company protocol for termination might also be important.