Employees have rights and if your employee does not take your rights into consideration and adhere to the law, you may be able to file a lawsuit against your place of employment. Violating employee rights can lead to a variety of damages, which may include lost wages, lost benefits, mental anguish, and so forth. Here is a closer look at employment law lawsuits and how they work.
Types of Employment Law Lawsuits
There are many things that could make an employment law lawsuit be warranted. There are many reasons for employment law lawsuits, including:
- Discrimination
- Wrongful termination
- Sexual harassment
- Retaliation
- Wage theft
- Some other incidents
These are protected by federal laws, and often, by state laws. Be sure to research the state laws where you work and familiarize yourself with them. That way, you know when and how to proceed with your employment law lawsuit.
An employment law attorney, or a representative at the state labor agency or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can help you determine which laws apply to your situation and if your rights have been violated by your employer. Be sure to document everything and maintain documentation, so you can show them your evidence and detail what happened, when it happened, how it happened, and who was there when it happened.
How To File an Employment Law Lawsuit
If you believe you have grounds for an employment law lawsuit, be sure to gather all the pertinent information and supporting documentation together before getting underway. You will take all the evidence and go to the employer’s human resources (HR) office and discuss the matter. Often, HR will try to resolve the situation before it advances to the next level.
You may have to file your claim with the EEOC or the appropriate state agency. They will assign an investigator to your claim, and he or she will contact your employer and work to resolve the matter. If the state agency or the EEOC cannot resolve your claim, you will receive a “right to sue” letter. With this letter you can file a civil lawsuit against your employer and ask to be compensated for the damages you suffered because of the violation of your rights or breach of law.
Speak With an Employment Law Attorney
You may need an employment law attorney to help you with your claim. Be sure to discuss about payment options because some lawyers charge a retainer and have a set hourly rate while others take such cases on a contingency basis. Complete the Free Case Evaluation to get in touch with an independent, participating employment law attorney who subscribes to the website and takes cases in your area. Time to pursue a lawsuit after such incidents is usually 180 days, so acting quickly is imperative to the success of your employment law lawsuit.
