what kind of lawyer to consult with job loss

What does a workers’ compensation lawyer do?

They will look at the documents you provide and may also look at employment records, contracts, and other workplace data. Your attorney will negotiate with the defense, outside of the courtroom, to help get you the compensation you may be entitled to.

What does a lawyer do in an employment law case?

Your attorney will negotiate with the defense, outside of the courtroom, to help get you the compensation you may be entitled to. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney is prepared to go to trial and present your case in the strongest possible form. What Does Labor and Employment Law Cover?

How does an attorney analyze a wrongful termination case?

An attorney considers a number of facts when analyzing a wrongful termination case and seeks information tending to prove that, despite the employee being fired for cause or for no reason, the termination was unlawful. Common considerations include the following:

When do you need an employment lawyer?

If you are involved in an employment dispute or face an adverse action by your employer, an employment lawyer can help. Employment lawyers protect the rights of employees and determine violations of federal and state anti-discrimination and harassment laws, and employment agreements.

What can an attorney do for a termination?

An attorney can work with you to review your contract and determine if a stated reason for termination is contemplated by the contract. In some cases, an employer's policies can provide discipline procedures. An attorney can work with you to determine if your employer had a discipline policy it failed to follow.

What damages can an employee recover from wrongful termination?

In a wrongful termination case, damages that a terminated employee may recover include lost pay, lost benefits, possible emotional distress damages, and potential punitive damages. Additionally, if you prevail against your employer you may be entitled to attorney's fees.

What to do if you are terminated for poor performance?

If you were terminated for poor performance, your attorney will want to review any documents related to your performance during your employment and up until your termination. Performance reviews and employment evaluations are important in determining whether you were treated differently than other employees.

Harassment at Work

Whether it is your employer or fellow employees who engage in sexual or other harassment at the workplace, you have rights.

Workplace Violence

There are strict laws against violence, but violence does happen in the workplace. All workers have the right to a safe workplace. A qualified employment attorney can help you get the justice you deserve.

Unlawful Termination

The employer’s right to terminate the employees is not absolute; it is conditional. Your termination may be illegal given your situation, and you could fall into a protected class.

Overtime Collection

Some employers could take undue advantage of their employees regarding overtime e.g., unpaid overtime work or working off the clock.

Hour and Wage Issues

If you believe your employer is not following minimum wage laws, or you feel you are not getting the money according to your work, consult an employment lawyer.

What are the forms of unfair labor practices?

Unfair and discriminatory labor practices against employees can take many forms, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, refusal to give a reasonable accommodation, denial of leave, employer retaliation, and wage and hour violations.

What is defamation in the workplace?

Defamation is generally defined as the act of damaging the reputation of a person through slanderous (spoken) or libelous (written) comments. When defamation occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to harm team morale, create alienation, or even cause long-term damage to a worker’s career prospects.

Is it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant?

It is illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. However, some employers do just that, leading to a hostile and inequitable workplace where some workers are treated more favorably than others.

What happens if an employer doesn't cooperate with you?

Employer Cooperation#N#If your employer seems to be angry at you for getting hurt or refuses to send you to a doctor, this may be a warning they do not plan to cooperate to get your benefits started. The employer is supposed to report the injury to their insurance company right away. The insurance company then "adjusts" the claim - investigates to determine if the injury is compensable and what benefits are owed. If the employer does not report the claim, the insurance company won't know about it and will not be processing the claim for benefits. This can cause all sorts of problems and delays. Many employers try to do the right thing, but with a non-cooperative employer it is probably a good idea for an injured worker to consult a lawyer.

What to do if you refuse to pay weekly benefits?

Refusal to Pay Weekly Benefits#N#If you are unable to work and are not getting paid weekly benefits, you should consult a lawyer. Important tip: Always get your work status in writing from the doctor, provide a copy to your employer and keep a copy for your records!

What to do if your claim is denied by your employer?

Denied Claim#N#If your claim is denied by your employer or their insurance carrier, you will most likely need a lawyer to help you prove you case. Some denied cases involve complicated legal issues best handled by an attorney.

What can an employment attorney do?

An employment attorney can help employers and employees work together to reach a resolution in the event of a problem, from wages and workplace safety to discrimination and wrongful termination. But when is it appropriate to reach out?

Why do employees seek employment attorneys?

So, an employee would want to seek out an employment attorney to determine what their rights are and whether their situation is worthy of pursuing an actual lawsuit. The reason, Levitt explains, is that the agency findings are not binding and many times not even admissible because agencies do not do exhaustive investigations.

What is FLSA in employment law?

If the problem is on-time pay, overtime, or proper pay classification (non-exempt versus exempt status), the attorney can help the employee navigate the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to determine if the possibility exists that rights have been violated and help the employee with next steps. There are a plethora of labor laws an employer could ...

What to do if your employer-employee relationship becomes strained?

If your employer-employee relationship becomes strained on account of a dispute involving wages, workplace safety, discrimination, or wrongful termination, it's helpful to know an employment attorney who can explain both sides' rights and duties.

Can an employer violate labor laws?

There are a plethora of labor laws an employer could easily violate unknowingly (or willfully), and since there are different employee count and tenure thresholds for different laws, it's helpful to get guidance from an attorney.

Can an employee file a lawsuit if there is no evidence?

Even if the agency finds insufficient evidence, the employee still has the right to file a lawsuit. The agency will either help the employee at that point or tell the employee that they should find an attorney. So, an employee would want to seek out an employment attorney to determine what their rights are and whether their situation is worthy ...

What is an example of a legal claim?

For example, an employee who is fired for exercising a legal right (such as the right to vote), refusing to commit an illegal act (such as lying to government auditors or mislabeling company products), or reporting wrongdoing (such as accounting fraud) may have this type of legal claim.

What to do if you are fired for illegal activities?

If the circumstances of your firing suggest that it might have been illegal, you may want to consult with an employment lawyer. A lawyer can review the facts and assess whether you have any potential legal claims. If so, a lawyer can help you think through what you want to do (if anything) to assert your rights.

Do you have to give consent to a lawyer to text you?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

Is it legal to be fired for poor performance?

So, for example, an employee who is fired for poor performance, attendance problems, or misconduct -- or even for just being a poor fit or "not working out" -- generally won't have any recourse against their employers. This doesn't mean that every firing is legal, however.

What to do if you are fired for disability?

If you have been fired, denied a job, or mistreated at work because of your disability, see a lawyer right away. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state and local laws protect employees and applicants with disabilities from discrimination in employment. An employer may not discriminate in hiring, firing, promotions, benefits, ...

Can an employer cut back hours for employees with disabilities?

Especially in difficult economic times, employers who have to lay off employees or cut back hours may target employees with disabilities, believing that they are not as productive or cost-effective as other employees. Whenever an employer makes job decisions based on an employee's disability, that employer has violated the ADA.

Can an employer violate the ADA?

Whenever an employer makes job decisions based on an employee's disability, that employer has violated the ADA. Allowing disability-based harassment. If coworkers tease, tell jokes about, or make fun of an employee's disability, that could constitute illegal harassment. If you are facing any of these problems at work or in the hiring process, ...

Can an employer discriminate against an employee?

An employer can't discriminate against an employee because the employee used to have a disability or has a record of disability. An employee whom the employer believes has a disability. This is true even if the employer is wrong, and the employee is not actually disabled. If the employer discriminates against an employee based on its incorrect ...