what kind of a lawyer do i need if iam being sued by the labor dept?

by Lina Rowe 3 min read

You need an attorney that primarily does workers compensation. There are many attorneys that do this as part of what they do, however I suggest you get someone that focuses on this area of the law exclusively since they know the other attorneys, the judges, the insurance company adjusters, and how the system works.

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer do I need to file a lawsuit?

An attorney, particularly one with experience in the area of law your lawsuit involves (automobile accidents, trespass, negligence or recklessness, et cetera), is most suited to give you the best advice on how to proceed. S/he can tell you how to respond to the claims, what your defenses may be, if any, and how to prepare your case for trial.

Can the Secretary of Labor file a lawsuit for back wages?

In some cases, the Secretary of Labor may file a lawsuit for back wages on behalf of an employee.

Do I need a lawyer for a wage and hour dispute?

In most cases involving labor disputes, and particularly in those with strict time requirements such as wage and hour issues, it is essential that you consult with a labor and employment lawyer to ensure you meet all the procedural requirements for your particular complaint.

How do I file a labor or employment lawsuit?

Before you can file a labor or employment lawsuit, you usually must exhaust all of your administrative remedies. This typically includes filing a complaint with the appropriate agency designed to hear the particular issues in your case.

Is suing your employer worth it?

If you sue your employer, it won't be enough for you to prove that your employer made the wrong decision, or even that your employer was a no-goodnik. If you don't have a valid legal claim against your employer, then you will ultimately lose your case. One big reason to think twice before you sue.

What are reasons an employee can sue an employer?

There are many reasons an employee may feel they have the right to pursue legal action against their employer.Illegal Termination. ... Deducting Pay. ... Personal Injuries. ... Employee Discrimination. ... Sexual and Workplace Harassment. ... Retaliation. ... Defamation.

What is a typical settlement for a EEOC?

According to EEOC data, the average out-of-court settlement for employment discrimination claims is about $40,000. Studies of verdicts have shown that about 10% of wrongful termination cases result in a verdict of $1 million or more. Of these, employees lost at least half of all cases.

How do you win a lawsuit against a company?

If it doesn't though, here are the steps you'll need to take.Talk it Out. ... Review Your Contract. ... Document Everything. ... Determine Your Claim. ... Come Up with a Resolution. ... Get Familiar With Any Laws Surrounding Your Claim. ... Find A Lawyer. ... The Employer isn't Afraid of a Lawsuit.More items...•

Can I sue for emotional distress?

To prove a psychological injury you must be able to show that you suffered a quantifiable psychological injury as a result of someone else's negligence or failure while in their duty of care.

What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a company?

Therefore, if you decide you want to sue a company, it may be in your best interest to consult a local business lawyer for further legal advice. An experienced business lawyer can discuss whether you have a viable claim and what your best options are for legal recourse.

How much should I ask for in a discrimination case?

$50,000 to an employee if the employer has between 15 and 100 employees; $100,000 if the employer has 101 to 200 employees; $200,000 if the employer has 201 to 500 employees; and. $300,000 if the employer has more than 500 employees.

Can you get money from an EEOC complaint?

If the EEOC finds that I was discriminated against, what can I get? If the EEOC finds discrimination, we will work with your employer to fix the situation. You could receive money damages as part of that process. We also can seek promotions, reinstatement, and other workplace changes for you.

What happens when the EEOC gives you the Right to Sue?

Once you receive a Notice of Right to Sue, you must file your lawsuit within 90 days. This deadline is set by law. If you don't file in time, you may be prevented from going forward with your lawsuit.

How long does a civil lawsuit take?

While an actual trial in court usually takes only a few days, the pre-trial process and the process of preparing a case can take weeks or months. In especially complex cases where both sides present extensive witnesses and lots of technical evidence, even the trial process can stretch on for a long time.

What happens when someone sues you?

If you sue a person, this means that you are taking them to court because you believe they have committed a wrong against you and therefore they have broken a civil law.

Can you sue a company for lying?

Yes, you can sue your employer for false promises. Misleading statements can land an employer in court for negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, or other legal issues. You do not always need an employment contract to prove false promises.

Jeffrey Mark Adams

Look around for "insurance defense" or "civil litigation - defense" lawyers. If a lawyer is listed as an insurance defense lawyer, they handle your type of case although usually on contract with an insurance company. Warning: it will probably not be cheap to resolve. You might want to see what they...

Ryan Alexander

Civil attorney who is licensed in Kentucky. Also, "trying to sue" me is cryptic. You need to confirm if you have actually been sued.

Timothy Bernard Spille

Generally, you want to hire a civil defense attorney who routinely defends personal injury cases. I hope you have now secured automobile liability insurance for your vehicle. You will soon learn that paying an insurance premium is a bargain compared to paying for a...

Lars A. Lundeen

I agree with the other attorneys who have responded to your question. You will need an attorney that is well versed in defending personal injury cases specific to motor vehicle accidents.

Christopher S Ison

You need someone with experience defending personal injury law suits. Generally this would be taken care of by your insurance; however, since you did not have insurance the burden will be on you to find and retain an attorney. You can look on Avvo for attorneys who practice in your area...

Why do you need a lawyer for a contract?

Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date. A real estate purchase, business purchase, and/or creation of a trademark or copyright will most likely involve a lawyer.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

What kind of services do lawyers provide?

Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases. Some lawyers specialize in one or two types, such as family and divorce law.

What is family law?

Family law is law that involves family matters. These matters can include marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, custody and establishing parentage. In most cases, marriages do not require a lawyer but a prenuptial agreement should be reviewed by a lawyer.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

What is personal injury?

In a personal injury suit, an individual is injured, mentally and/or physically, because of an accident, defective product, or an act or failure to act by another. A court may award a plaintiff in a personal injury suit monetary damages for their injury. Civil law cases can be complex.

What is criminal law?

Criminal law is the body of laws that pertain to crimes. Crimes are actions or behaviors prohibited by state or federal laws. Crimes are punishable by fines, probation, and/or imprisonment. Usually, crimes are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies.

How to file a complaint against an employer?

Steps Before Filing an Employment Lawsuit 1 File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), your state’s attorney general’s office, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Occupational Standards and Health Administration (OSHA), or other appropriate state or federal agency. 2 Determine if your employer has a complaint procedure. For example, In sexual harassment cases, employers usually follow a specific protocol. 3 You may have to participate in either counseling or an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program to resolve your complaint. 4 If the issue or dispute is not resolved, you can then file a formal complaint with the agency. 5 Once the complaint is filed, the agency will determine if it meets procedural requirements such as timely filing. 6 If the complaint is valid, the agency will investigate the merits of your complaint. Depending on the agency, there will be a time limit for completing the investigation (usually 180 days). 7 Depending on the agency, you may request a hearing after the investigation or ask the agency to issue a decision. 8 If you want a hearing, you must request one within a certain time after receiving notice from the agency regarding your hearing rights. 9 If a decision is rendered with which you disagree, you can appeal it or ask for a reconsideration if you can show the decision was based on factual errors or the incorrect law was applied.

How long does it take to file a lawsuit against an EEOC?

For EEOC complaints, you can file after 180 days has passed from ...

How long does it take to file an EEOC complaint?

For EEOC complaints, you can file after 180 days has passed from the time you filed your complaint or appeal and no decision has been issued; within 90 days of an EEOC decision if no appeal has been filed. After the EEOC has ruled on your appeal, you have 90 days in which to file a lawsuit.

What happens if a complaint is not resolved?

If the issue or dispute is not resolved, you can then file a formal complaint with the agency. Once the complaint is filed, the agency will determine if it meets procedural requirements such as timely filing. If the complaint is valid, the agency will investigate the merits of your complaint.

What to do if a sexual harassment complaint is not resolved?

If the issue or dispute is not resolved, you can then file a formal complaint with the agency.

Can you file a lawsuit against a state employee for back wages?

In some cases, the Secretary of Labor may file a lawsuit for back wages on behalf of an employee. In cases involving denial of social security ...

Can you file a lawsuit for back wages?

In some cases, the Secretary of Labor may file a lawsuit for back wages on behalf of an employee. In cases involving denial of social security disability benefits, complaints begin with filing a petition with your state's social security adminstration before continuing with a request for reconsideration, an adminstrative hearing, ...

What do I need to do if I was injured on the job?

If you were injured on the job, you need a workers' compensation attorney. If there is some other issue, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, etc., then you need to contact an employment law attorney.

Can I contact an attorney on Avvo?

A workman's comp attorney. Use the find a lawyer function on Avvo to locate one. We attorneys cannot contact you on Avvo and in fact cannot even see your contact information.

How to find a labor lawyer?

To find a labor law or employment attorney, you should contact your local or state bar association, which should run a referral program. Once you have the name of a lawyer, you should call to schedule a consultation. Most lawyers provide half-hour consultations for a small fee (or even for free).

What can a lawyer do for you?

The lawyer can help you think of ways to settle the dispute in a cost-effective manner. For example, your lawyer might advise that you contact the Department of Labor or an equivalent state agency. These agencies can sue your employer on your behalf.

How many hours can you work in California to get double pay?

Some states also require double your regular rate of pay if you work more than 12 hours in a single day. For example, in California, if you work 14 hours on Monday, then you would qualify for four hours of overtime at 1.5 your regular rate of pay and two additional hours at 2.0 your regular rate of pay.

How to avoid paying overtime?

Some employers try to classify employees in such a way that they can avoid paying overtime. The easiest way to avoid paying overtime is to claim that you are a “white collar” employee or manager.

How many hours do you have to work to get paid overtime?

If your state does, then you will calculate your overtime according to your state law. For example, in California, you must be paid time-and-a-half for any hours worked over eight in a single day. For example, you might work 10 hours on Monday but six hours the rest of the week.

What is the power of the Department of Labor?

Contact the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor (DOL) has the power to investigate your employer’s payroll practices and to get your unpaid wages. The Department can also file a lawsuit in federal court or propose settlement. [14]

What to do if you have a pay violation?

In the case of suspected pay violations, you can contact the federal Department of Labor or an equivalent state agency. These agencies can bring a lawsuit on your behalf in court. You can also hire a lawyer to bring a private lawsuit on your behalf. Steps.

What to do if you don't have an attorney?

If you have insurance, you should submit the lawsuit to your insurance company and they will provide an attorney free of charge. If you do not have an attorney, you should contact one as soon as possible. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

What to do if your insurance company does not provide legal counsel?

If the insurance company does not provide legal counsel, you should identify, interview, and engage a litigation attorney.

What to do if you have not been served with suit papers?

If you have not yet been served with suit papers, notify the agent and claims department immediately and give them all of the information they ask for.

What happens if you don't have insurance?

If you do not have insurance, then you should not have been on the road at all. You will have to hire a personal injury attorney; they usually advertise on TV, billboards, lavatory walls, buses, and any structure or medium possible. Of course, you will have to pay up front. so, it is always best to have auto insurance.

Why do lawyers love their clients?

Lawyers love clients who sue over "principle," because their cases usually go on longer than those brought solely for economic reasons. If you're a defendant, resist the urge to countersue unless you have a solid case. See a therapist instead—they're cheaper than lawyers, and you'll feel a whole lot better. 9.

What is the unpleasantness of being a litigant?

The Incredible Unpleasantness of Being a Litigant. There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when you are handed a legal document that announces you're being sued. Say hello to lawyers, courtrooms, big bills, sour stomachs, and sleepless nights. Here are things you may not know about being on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

Do you have to accept papers in a lawsuit?

1. You're it. You don't have to "accept" the papers that begin the lawsuit. You just have to be "given" the papers … which can mean that the server announced what the papers were and then presented them to you … even if you throw them on the ground. (p.s. That may earn you a citation for littering!)

Step One: Gather Information

Before you call an attorney or meet a lawyer for a consultation, gather all the information you can on your case, including any documents you have.

Step Two: Find the Right Attorney

Although there are a lot of folks who attempt to handle a lawsuit on their own, Gall advises at least speaking with an attorney about your case, even if you don’t hire one to represent you.

Step Three: Let Your Attorney Handle It

Although you might be tempted to reach out to the other party, Gall advises against it.

Step Four: Anticipate the Outcome

Although some lawsuits do go to court, Gall says the majority of lawsuits end up with a settlement. That’s usually best for clients, who want things resolved quickly and inexpensively, without a long drawn-out court battle.

Step Five: Take a Deep Breath

Although most people panic over the idea of a getting sued, Gall reminds clients not to get too stressed.