While an employer has the right to fire an employee as they please, employees do have their rights. If you have suffered discrimination at work, consider talking to a skilled attorney about your circumstances. You need a lawyer specializing in employment and labor law. In this post, we are sharing more on when to seek legal representation, and questions to ask an employee discrimination lawyer in Austin.
Understanding discrimination
In simple words, discrimination is treating someone differently, or denying their rights because of bias. Employment discrimination on basis of age, religion, national origin, race, gender, physical/mental disability, and sexual orientation, is unlawful and should be reported. Just because you have suffered a minor inconvenience at work doesn’t necessarily amount to discrimination. Examples of discrimination include –
- Wrongful termination
- Discrimination on basis of age, religion, national origin, race, gender
- Discrimination on basis of physical/mental disability, and sexual orientation
- Denying wage and other benefits
- Denying opportunities because someone is pregnant
If your employer has violated terms and conditions of the employment contract, you may have a valid discrimination lawsuit.
Questions to ask a discrimination lawyer in Texas
- How long have you been practicing as a discrimination lawyer? Experience is key for taking up such cases and lawsuits. Find out if the attorney has handled cases that are comparable to yours. Ask about the outcomes of those cases.
- Do you have a conflict of interest? If the same discrimination lawyer is representing your employer in another case, there is a clear conflict of interest. Make sure that the lawyer has nothing to do with the other party.
- How much would you charge? Hiring a discrimination lawyer can be expensive. The good news is many attorneys work on a contingency basis, but that depends on the facts of the case. Do ask the attorney about related expenses of the case, so that you are financially prepared.
- What are the merits and demerits of my case? A skilled discrimination lawyer will ensure that client has realistic expectations from the case from day one. The initial assessment is important for knowing the merits and demerits of your case.
- What can I expect in compensation? All attorneys want to settle matters outside of court, because a lawsuit is always the most expensive legal option. Get an idea of what to expect from the case and in compensation. For selected discrimination lawsuits, you can expect both compensatory and punitive damages.
Check online for top discrimination lawyers in Austin now!
