Employment Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace because of one’s gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or age is a crime. These types of lawsuits involve individuals who have been injured, harmed, or damaged as a result of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Such cases include:
- Gender discrimination
- Racial discrimination
- Sexual harassment
- Age discrimination
Immigration Law
The United States is continually revising the laws and policies that control immigration, particularly since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. There are several types of immigration law issues including visas, work permits, permanent residence, citizenship, and waivers. If you have questions about any of these issues you should consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.
Federal Tort Claims
Federal tort claims are claims that allege negligence on the part of federal government employees, such as officers of the law, as well as other military and civilian employees of the federal government. Employees of the federal government are held to certain standards of conduct under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). When such an employee of the federal government commits certain intentional or negligent acts during the scope of their employment, the federal government can be held liable in many instances.
Military Law
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the criminal code used by the armed services. Members of the military are subject to the laws contained in the UCMJ, which covers many of the same offenses as civilian laws. However, there are important differences between UCMJ and civilian laws — being absent without leave, disrespect, and other offenses are punishable under the UCMJ. During times of war, aiding enemies of the United States, espionage, and other criminal offenses also fall under the UCMJ.
Defamation Actions (Libel & Slander)
Defamation occurs when a person damages another’s reputation by making false statements about him or her, either verbally or in print. When spoken, the statements are called slander; when published, they are called libel (the more serious of the two). Victims of defamation are entitled to compensation if they can prove their reputations were indeed damaged by the statements. For example, if an employee spreads a false rumor that his coworker is racist and that coworker is subsequently fired, the coworker can file suit.
Environmental Law/Toxic Tort
The environment is sacred and must be diligently protected and embraced. People who have suffered harm from companies or individuals who pollute our water, air, or ground and whose wrongful acts injure and kill people and nature with toxic chemicals like asbestos, benzene, lead, mercury, and vinyl chloride may be able to cover compensation for their injuries or damages.
Insurance Law
Insurance law involves cases against insurance companies in which a person has been wrongfully or unreasonably denied insurance benefits. Some examples of these kinds of cases include the following:
- Wrongful denial of PIP (personal injury protection) benefits.
- Wrongful denial of health insurance benefits.
- Wrongful denial of life insurance benefits.
- Wrongful denial of disability insurance benefits.
- Bad faith litigation (against insurance companies that fail to act in good faith in the handling, negotiation and settlement of cases and benefit-related matters).
