what type of lawyer do i need for work-related issues

by Mrs. Myrtice Wunsch V 7 min read

A lawyer for work-related issues, you need an “employment lawyer” or “labor law lawyer.” The terms are interchangeable. California and federal labor laws and regulations protect workers in the United States, but many workers are unaware of their rights at the workplace.

Do you really need attorney for workers comp?

A lawyer for work-related issues, you need an “employment lawyer” or “labor law lawyer.”. The terms are interchangeable. California and federal labor laws and regulations protect workers in the United States, but many workers are unaware of their rights at the workplace. Some employers could take advantage of this lack of unawareness on the part of the employees.

What does my workers' compensation lawyer need to know?

Morgan & Morgan files the most employment litigation cases in the country, including those involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage theft, employee misclassification, defamation, retaliation, denial of leave, and executive pay disputes. The workplace should be a safe place.

Should I retain workers comp lawyer or person?

If you have a workplace dispute with your employer, you might need to hire an employment lawyer. While some issues can be resolved with open communication, often times, a lawyer is essential to getting compensation or other justice for workplace violations.

What should a workers' compensation lawyer do for You?

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. Use FindLaw to hire a local employment lawyer near you who can help recover …

How do you deal with unfair treatment at work?

If you are being treated unfairly in the workplace, there are a number of steps you can take in order to protect your rights:Document The Unfair Treatment. ... Report The Unfair Treatment. ... Stay Away From Social Media. ... Take Care Of Yourself. ... Contact An Experienced Lawyer.Jan 2, 2020

How do I legal action against an employer?

File a complaint with EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) or other state agency- they look and investigate into the matter, and then decide whether the policy should be changed or you should get damages. Filing of Civil Suit- If the victims think fit can also file the civil suit against the offender.Oct 14, 2018

What types of situation does a lawyer who specializes in employment law have to advise on?

A lawyer can help you make difficult decisions about your employees.Firing. ... Employee Classifications. ... Other decisions. ... Lawsuits. ... Claims and complaints. ... Contracts and agreements. ... Policies and handbooks.

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

Here's an overview of the most common types of lawyers.Personal Injury Lawyer. ... Estate Planning Lawyer. ... Bankruptcy Lawyer. ... Intellectual Property Lawyer. ... Employment Lawyer. ... Corporate Lawyer. ... Immigration Lawyer. ... Criminal Lawyer.More items...

Can I take my employer to court for unfair treatment?

It might be against the law if you're being treated unfairly or differently at work because of who you are, such as being disabled or being a woman. If it is, you can complain to your employer or take them to an employment tribunal.

What is mental harassment in the workplace?

WHAT IS MENTAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL HARASSMENT? Psychological harassment comes under detrimental or hostile conduct by one or more individuals directly or indirectly towards a third person. This is conduct that occurs frequently and over a long period which defames an individual or excludes them from work.

What does employment law do?

Employment law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees' rights at work.

How much do employment attorneys make?

Salary Ranges for Employment Lawyers The salaries of Employment Lawyers in the US range from $33,249 to $756,215 , with a median salary of $159,892 . The middle 57% of Employment Lawyers makes between $159,892 and $358,653, with the top 86% making $756,215.

Why do I want to be an employment lawyer?

The diverse, complex and evolving nature of employment law is an opportunity to be challenged and show innovation, to display your creativity and critical thinking, and to wield your problem-solving skills. Often the simplest cases and most straightforward legal concepts lead to the most difficult laws.Aug 2, 2018

How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:How Much Do You Like to Argue?How Motivated You Are by Money?How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?What Do You Like to Do?Dec 11, 2019

What type of lawyer is most in demand?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to NeedCivil Litigation Lawyer (a.k.a. Trial Attorney) ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Defamation Lawyer (a.k.a. Libel and Slander Attorney) ... Business Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ... Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ... Traffic Lawyer.More items...•Dec 31, 2015

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What kind of lawyers handle work related issues?

In most cases, the lawyers who handle work-related issues are employment lawyers and labor law attorneys. These two types of lawyers will help guide you through the complexities of the law, help you build your case, and protect your interests.

What is the Whistleblower Protection Act?

101-12 was originally created to protect federal employees from harm (financial or otherwise) when reporting illegal or unethical behavior on the part of the government.

Is discrimination against gender illegal?

EEOC, state, and federal laws all make discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, and age highly illegal. It is important to note that workplace discrimination doesn’t only happen at the hands of employers.

What is wrongful termination?

Wrongful Termination. Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is terminated under false pretenses in a way that breaks employment law. For example, an employee may be wrongfully dismissed if the employer terminates their position because of their race or gender.

Can you sue for sexual harassment?

In either case, your employer is responsible to not only address it but also prevent it, whenever it occurs in the line of duty. If they don’t, you may have the right to sue for compensation. 4.

Do employers have a duty to investigate complaints?

Earlier in the post, we mentioned that employers have a duty and responsibility to investigate complaints from workers. When one or more persons file a complaint of discrimination, harassment, contract violation, or some other harm, it is important to take action quickly – but you must take the right action, too.

What is collective bargaining?

Collective bargaining is when a governing body of employees negotiate for all or some of the workers within a company, usually over wages, terms, or benefits. This is most common within unions, where the union represents everyone at the same time.

Why do I need an attorney?

Why might I need a lawyer to handle a employment-related problem? To fully enforce state and federal laws protecting employees against illegal actions by their employers, you will need an attorney in many situations where you have a serious problem with your employer and need to take legal action.

What is employment law?

Employment law is a highly specialized and an ever-changing area of the law with significant gray areas. Retain someone who has represented individual employees, not employers. For more information on potential sources for employment lawyers, see the Workplace Fairness employment attorney directory.

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.

What is workplace harassment?

When workers are subjected to slurs, assaults, threats, ridicule, offensive jokes, unwelcome sexual advances, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, it can be considered workplace harassment. Similar to workplace discrimination, workplace harassment creates a hostile and abusive work environment.

What happens if you are fired without cause?

If you believe you may have been fired without proper cause, our labor and employment attorneys may be able to help you recover back pay, unpaid wages, and other forms of compensation.

What are some examples of misclassifications?

Some examples of misclassifications include: Misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor to not have to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission laws, which prevent employment discrimination.

What is wrongful termination?

This is termed wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, or wrongful dismissal. There are many scenarios that may be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit, including: Firing an employee out of retaliation. Discrimination.

Do independent contractors have to file taxes?

Independent contractors are not entitled to employee benefits, and must file and withhold their own taxes, as well. However, in recent years, some employers have abused classification by misclassifying bonafide employees as contractors in an attempt to save money and circumvent laws.

What is the minimum wage in 2020?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established certain workers’ rights, including the right to a minimum wage (set federally at $7.25 as of 2020) and overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees.

How to find a good employment lawyer?

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a reputable lawyer. Even if your friends or family don't know any employment lawyers, they might know other lawyers—such as a family lawyer or estate planning lawyer—who can provide a recommendation. Keep in mind that individual preferences for a particular lawyer are guided by intangibles such as personality or your comfort level with the person. Here are a few questions you may want to ask a person who gives you a glowing review of a particular employment lawyer: 1 Did this lawyer respond to all your telephone calls and other communications promptly? 2 Did the lawyer take the time to listen to your explanation and understand your situation fully? 3 Were all the bills you received properly itemized and in line with the cost projections you got at the start of your case? 4 Did this lawyer personally handle your case, or was it handed off to a younger, less-experienced lawyer in the same firm?

How to discuss a case with a lawyer?

Call or write to your lawyer at least a week before any important deadline in your case to inquire about plans to meet it. Maintain your own file on your case. By having a well-organized file of your own, you will be able to discuss your case with your lawyer intelligently and efficiently—even over the telephone.

Why is my case thrown out?

Many a good case has been thrown out simply because of a lawyer's forgetfulness.

What is the state bar association?

Every state in the country has its own bar association, which is typically the governing body that licenses, monitors, and disciplines all lawyers practicing in the state. Many state bar associations operate attorney referral services for use by members of the public for a small fee.

How to find a lawyer by name?

Some states have a searchable online database where you can find lawyers by name. Once you have a few names, start by calling for an appointment. Some lawyers will try to screen you over the phone by asking you to discuss the basics of your case. A little of this can be helpful to you both.

What is contingent fee?

Many workplace cases are handled under some form of contingent fee arrangement, in which a lawyer agrees to handle a case for a fixed percentage of the amount finally recovered in a lawsuit. If you win the case, the lawyer's fee comes out of the money awarded to you. If you lose, neither you nor the lawyer will get any money. A lawyer's willingness to take your case on a contingent fee is usually a sign of the lawyer's faith in the strength of your claim. A lawyer who is not firmly convinced that your case is a winner is unlikely to take you on as a contingency fee client.

How much does a lawyer charge for a consultation?

However, others will charge a reasonable fee for legal advice. A charge of between $75 and $250 for a one-hour consultation is typical.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What is general practice law?

Unlike lawyers who specialize in a particular area of law, a general practice lawyer has a practice that handles a wide range of legal issues. Different general practice attorneys will have different areas of law with which they are most comfortable, so if you consult with a general practice lawyer, it’s always prudent to discuss his or her experience in handling the type of legal issue you’re facing.

What is a disability attorney?

The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.

What are the legal issues that employment lawyers handle?

Employment lawyers handle employment-related legal issues, including: Wrongful termination; Workplace discrimination; Sexual harassment; Contract violations;

What can an employment lawyer do?

An employment lawyer can help review or prepare contracts and agreements that you use with your employees such as employment contracts, severance contracts, or releases. Of course workplaces are subject to many different types of regulation by a number of different local, state and federal agencies, for example, OSHA.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Hourly rate: Most attorneys charge for employment cases according to a set hourly rate. In California, the median attorney hourly rate starts at $350 for smaller, less experienced firms and $450 for larger more experienced firms.

When should I contact an employment attorney?

A person should contact an employment attorney as soon as they become aware of an issue. If a person waits to contact an attorney, the delay could prevent them from proving the conduct committed by the employer and thus from recovering damages.

Can an employer lay off employees?

The employer plans to lay off or fire a large number of employees, terminate an employee benefit, or change the current pension plan that it offers. An experienced employment attorney can also assist you with legal issues other than employee-employer disputes.

What should I do before meeting with a lawyer?

Before meeting with a lawyer, a person should prepare themselves to describe their problem with a brief, clear summary.

What should I ask my lawyer about?

A person should ask the lawyers about their experience with the specific type of problem that they have, their fees, what their options might be, their chances of success, who will do the work on their case (whether the attorney or an associate), and when the problem might be resolved.

What is hostile work environment?

In short, a hostile work environment is created when anyone in the workplace engages in a type of harassment that makes it impossible for an employee to perform their job duties. This type of harassment generally includes unwelcome comments or conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnacy), national origin, age (40 or older), ...

What are compensatory damages?

These damages typically include claims for lost wages, including back pay and benefits, due to the inability to work. In cases where the hostile work environment caused you to lose your job, compensatory damages will be awarded to help put you back in the same place you would have been had you not lost your job.

Do employers have to pay punitive damages?

Additionally, in some rare cases, employers may have to pay punitive damages to the employee, if their employer intentionally engaged in conduct that created a hostile work environment.

Can you sue your employer for harassment?

However, if you are in a situation where you have been subjected to offensive and unwelcome conduct that has affected the terms and conditions of your employment, you may be able to sue your employer for harassment for a hostile work environment.

Why Might I Need A Lawyer to Handle A Employment-Related Problem?

  • To fully enforce state and federal laws protecting employees against illegal actions by their employers, you will need an attorney in many situations where you have a serious problem with your employer and need to take legal action. Most attorneys representing employees do so because they understand that non-unionized employees are relatively powerless against employ…
See more on workplacefairness.org

Do I Need to Talk to A Lawyer Right away?

  • Here are some of the situations in which you are strongly encouraged to speak with an attorney immediately: 1. You have concerns about how you are being treated in the workplace or whether your termination or lay off was legal; 2. You are considering quitting your employment because of your employer's apparently unlawful conduct; 3. You do not want to or cannot negotiate with you…
See more on workplacefairness.org

How Do I Find A Lawyer?

  • Once you have determined that you should consult an attorney, how do you go about finding one? You should get several names and talk to at least two different attorneys before selecting the one who seems best suited to your needs. You should consult with an attorney who specializes in employment or labor law. An attorney practicing in any other area, no matter how competent, wo…
See more on workplacefairness.org