10 Different Services Provided by an Employment Law Firm
February 15, 2022If you are an employee who has been wrongfully terminated, harassed at work, or denied benefits, you need to seek legal help. An employment law firm can provide you with various services, including: representation during settlement negotiations, filing a lawsuit on your behalf, and helping you collect back pay. In this blog post, we will discuss a few different services that are provided by employment law firms.
Table of Contents
1. Free Case Evaluation
A free case evaluation will allow you to sit down with an employment lawyer and discuss the details of your case. During this meeting, the attorney will advise you on whether or not they think that a lawsuit is warranted based on the facts presented in your case. They may also provide advice regarding settlement negotiations and how much compensation might be reasonable for someone like yourself who has gone through what happened at their job site(s).
The goal here is usually twofold: firstly, it gives both sides more information about each other’s position before starting any formal process (like mediation); secondly, by allowing parties some preliminary contact with one another during this stage it helps build trust between them which can lead to better outcomes later down the road.
2. Dispute Resolution
Sometimes, disputes can be resolved without going to court. Dispute resolution services offered by an employment law firm can help resolve these disagreements. This usually takes the form of mediation or arbitration. During mediation, a neutral third party will help the two parties come to an agreement. Arbitration is similar, but the arbitrator’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. Pittsburgh employment lawyers will be able to help you decide which process is best for your situation.
3. Filing a Lawsuit
If you decide that you want to file a lawsuit, your employment law firm will help you do so. They will draft the legal documents and represent you in court. This can be an intimidating process, but having an experienced lawyer by your side can make it much easier.
4. Collecting Back Pay
If you have been wrongfully terminated, the law firm can help you collect back pay. This is money that you are owed as a result of the illegal actions of your former employer. The amount that you can receive depends on a variety of factors, including how long you were employed and how much money you lost as a result of being fired.
5. Employment Discrimination
If you believe that you have been discriminated against based on your age, gender identity or expression, religion, disability status (including pregnancy) and more then contact an employment lawyer right away. Your rights as a worker are protected by both state law in addition to federal legislation like The Civil Rights Act 1964 which prohibits discrimination against employees because of race, color , national origin , ancestry union affiliation citizenship, marital status, physical or mental handicap etc).
6. Severance Agreements
If you have been laid off or fired, you may be offered a severance agreement. This is an agreement between you and your employer in which they agree to pay you a sum of money in exchange for releasing them from any legal claims that you may have against them. It is important to speak with an attorney before signing anything, as these agreements can often be filled with hidden clauses that are not in your best interests.
7. Wrongful Termination
If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, then it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The law firm can help you file a lawsuit and seek compensation for the damages that you suffered due to wrongful termination of employment. This includes things like lost wages, emotional distress or mental anguish caused by being fired without cause (or no reason at all).
8. Contract Review
If you are starting a new job, it is important to have an employment law firm review your contract before signing it. This will ensure that your rights as an employee are protected and that you are not agreeing to any unfair or illegal terms.
It is also a good idea to have an attorney review any non-compete agreements that you may be asked to sign. These documents can restrict your ability to work in certain industries or for certain companies after leaving your current job.
9. Wages and Overtime
If you believe that your employer has not been paying you the correct wages or overtime, then contact an employment law firm. They can help you file a claim against your employer and seek the money that you are owed.
In some cases, employers may try to skirt around the wage and overtime laws. If this is happening at your job, it is important to speak with an attorney right away.
10. Employee Benefits
Employers often offer a variety of benefits to their employees, such as health insurance, 401k plans and more. If you have questions about these benefits or feel like you are not being offered what you are entitled to, then contact an employment lawyer.