Didn't you apply for unemployment? You're required to look for work each week, and accept suitable employment if offered.
Banyan may not have qualified for unemployment benefits, depending on the reasons for the firing.
There could be up to $11,700 on the table. It could represent approximately 50% of a lower income claimant's prior gross wages for 26 weeks or less if capped out by the max benefit of $450/wk. Hardly an insignificant sum.
Or, depending on how "early this year" Banyan was fired from the job, it is
possible Banyan is here now because unemployment benefits ran out.
If Banyan has success with the wrongful termination claim, what is figured in way of compensation, as far as "lost wages" go, (generally) will be the difference between the old wages earned and any new wages. Also included in compensation can be the costs involved in finding a new job.
I don't believe most who are victorious with their wrongful termination suits walk away with as much money as they might anticipate. Of course, this depends on all facts and we have few here.
But having a job while a wrongful termination case is still in the courts potentially could affect the amount awarded, as can collecting unemployment benefits. I would say on the whole it appears smartest for an employee to move into a new job as quickly as possible after being terminated from an old job, regardless of any lawsuit s/he might be pursuing.