Practice Areas

Injuries and Wrongful Death

Helping clients who are dealing with catastrophic injury or death requires sensitivity and skill.  I’ve handled complex cases involving dangerous machines, faulty safety devices, inadequate maintenance, and hazardous chemicals. These heartbreaking tragedies cried out for restitution.

• A machine operator suffered devastating injuries when a faulty safety device failed to operate
• A steelyard employee was crushed between inadequately maintained rail cars
• An ironworker was struck by a steel girder swinging from a runaway crane
• A factory employee contracted fatal cancer from an industrial chemical
• A salvage worker was injured when hazardous chemicals exploded

Wages and Overtime Pay

Do you have questions about your pay? Here are a few situations that could indicate a claim for unpaid wages or overtime.

• You work more than forty hours in a workweek, but you’re not paid time-and-a half for the overtime hours.
• You are paid as an “independent contractor” rather than as an employee.
• You travel during your workday, but are not paid for the travel time.
• You perform job-related tasks before or after your paid shift.
• Your employer deducts meal periods from your pay, but you work through them or are “on call.”
• You’re paid bonuses, commissions, or per diem payments but they are not included in your overtime pay.
• You’re paid less than the minimum wage.
• Your employer deducts job-related costs or expenses from your pay.

Pensions and 401(k) Issues

Do you have questions about your pension, 401(k) plan, savings plan, or long-term disability plan? Here are some factors that could indicate a violation of federal or state law.

• Your employer withholds contributions from your paycheck but does not promptly deposit them in the plan.
• Your account has lost money or grown more slowly than you thought it would.
• Your plan gives you only a list of mutual funds or investment options to choose from.
• Your plan has done something you thought was wrong or unfair.

Employment and Termination

Federal and state laws make it illegal to harass or discriminate against an employee because of race, religion, national origin, or sex.  Age discrimination can also be unlawful.

Here are some factors that could indicate a claim or violation.

• You were terminated from employment because of your race, religion, national origin, gender, or age.
• You were denied a promotion because of your race, religion, national origin, gender, or age.
• You were subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace.
• You were promised specific bonuses, commissions, or other payments but they were later withheld

Class Action Lawsuits

I’ve prosecuted dozens of class actions, securing over one-hundred million dollars in class member recoveries.

Specific cases involved wage practices, consumer protection, product toxicity, and environmental disasters, as well as retiree claims for miscalculated pension benefits.

Consumer Fraud

If you bought a product or service and later found you were deceived, you may be able to right the wrong.

Here are a few situations that could indicate a consumer violation or product liability claim.

• You bought a product but it failed to do what it was sold for.
• You bought a product and it caused injury or an allergic reaction.
• You bought a product or service because of an advertisement, but the advertising turned out to be deceptive.
• You were given a warranty or guarantee that was not honored.