When to Hire an Unemployment Attorney

Losing your job is hard enough. Your missing income hurts not just your pride, but also your bottom line. While it might feel counterintuitive to pay an unemployment attorney when you're already short on cash, it could, in fact, be a great decision.

Unemployment paperwork might seem very simple and straightforward. In some states, you can even do the paperwork online. While each state requires differing information, all states require basic information like name, date of birth, and work history. You also have to give a reason for your unemployment. If you have been unemployed through no fault of your own, the state will quickly process the form, and you should begin receiving your benefits within a few weeks. However, there are several reasons why you might want to contact an unemployment attorney in order to gain access to your benefits.

Your Benefits Are Improperly Denied

If you have already been denied benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision. You have to file the appeal in writing and then attend a hearing. You may be able to phone into the hearing, but your presence is still the only way for the state to hear your side of it. A lawyer can help you prepare all the documents for the hearing. Correctly prepared documents can make the difference between winning the appeal and losing it.You Were Fired

Unemployment is for those who are out of a job through no fault of their own. That means if you leave voluntarily or if you were fired for a serious reason, you won't be eligible. In order to determine if your reasons for leaving a job qualify you for benefits, you must fill out paperwork and attend a hearing. How your facts are presented to the panel will determine whether or not you are able to receive benefits. Your unemployment attorney can help you fill out the paperwork appropriately and present your case effectively in order to help you gain access to the benefits you need.

You Have Legal Claims Against Your Former Employer

There are times in which you may have a legal claim against the employer who released you from your job. If your legal rights have been violated by this employer, a lawyer can help you bring a suit against him or her. Some examples include being laid off due to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Other reasons to bring a suit against your former employer may include being fired for reporting violations of health and safety codes to the appropriate authorities. An unemployment attorney can look at the facts of your case and determine if you have enough evidence to proceed with a suit against a former employer. If the case is good, not only can a lawyer help file for state benefits but they can also help prep any other civil suit you may want to bring against the company.