You do not have to take any abuse from your employer. The abuse can be emotional by the implementation of discriminatory practices or the abuse can be physical such as not protecting you against an unsafe workplace. If your employer has violated one or more workplace-related laws, you should contact a Maine employment law lawyer to determine the best course of legal action. Most Maine employment law attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, which means they get paid when their clients get paid.
What Does a Maine Employment Law Attorney Do?
A Maine employment law lawyer helps clients fight back against workplace law violations. If you signed an employment contract, your attorney can review the contract to determine its legal validity. Maine employment law lawyers also assist clients by reviewing proposed employment contracts to prevent any fraudulent conduct on the part of an employer. Your lawyer can notice things in the fine print of an employment contract like a noncompete clause and/or arbitration agreement.
Although attorneys are mostly known for litigating civil and criminal cases, an employment law attorney in Maine can help you avoid costly and time-consuming litigation by taking your claim to an unbiased mediator. A mediator reviews the evidence submitted by you and your employer before making an impartial ruling that ends the employment law claim process. Your attorney can also negotiate a settlement with your employer, which also helps you stay out of a civil courtroom.
One of the most important roles of employment lawyers in Maine is to pursue just compensation for their clients. Whether you suffered from workplace retaliation or deserve back pay for wage theft, your lawyer fights for your right to seek just compensation.
Here are some types of compensation your attorney can pursue:
- Vacation pay
- Value of unpaid benefits
- Bonuses
- Job search expenses
- Punitive damages
What Types of Claims Does a Maine Employment Law Attorney Handle?
A lawyer can help you file a Maine employment law claim for one or more reasons.
- Wrongful termination
- Workplace safety violations
- Privacy rights
- Sexual harassment
- Workers’ compensation
- Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Wage theft
Wage theft remains a prevalent problem not only in Maine, but also throughout the United States.
Here are some of the most common forms of wage theft:
- Failure to pay overtime
- Not paying the state minimum wage
- Skimming off a tip-sharing pool
- Naming an employee as an independent contractor
- No pay for traveling while on the clock
The key to winning a wage theft claim is to gather and organize time records that demonstrate your employer paid you less than what you deserved. Bank statements can also help you present a compelling wage theft case when you meet with a Maine employment law lawyer.
How Much Does an Employment Law Attorney in Maine Cost?
Maine does not regulate the compensation given to attorneys by their clients. Many employment law attorneys charge on a contingency fee basis. This type of compensation arrangement with your lawyer is preferable for two reasons. First, you do not have to pay any upfront legal fees. Your lawyer might even take care of the court costs. Second, a Maine employment law attorney that works on a contingency fee basis has a greater incentive to win a positive settlement or just compensation awarded by a civil court judge.
Hourly legal fees charged by employment law attorneys vary. However, most lawyers charge at least $100 an hour to handle the easiest types of claims. Whatever type of compensation arrangement that you work out with an employment law attorney, make sure the lawyer allows clients to schedule free case evaluations. You want to work with an attorney that has your best interests in mind.
How Do I Find an Employment Law Attorney in Maine?
Now that you have decided to contact a Maine employment law attorney, the next step involves finding one to help you file a convincing claim. The first place to start looking for an attorney is asking for recommendations from friends, relatives, and professional peers. Suggestions from the people that you trust the most are an effective way to find the best lawyer.
After you choose an attorney, schedule a free case evaluation to discover how you can strengthen your employment law claim. Your lawyer might decide during the free case evaluation whether you should file a civil lawsuit or try to reach a settlement with your employer.
