Unemployment Appeals Lawyer in Bellevue, WA

Unemployment appeals lawyers are important if your previous employer denies or appeals against your unemployment benefits. Most people don’t realize the legal magnitude that comes after unemployment appeals have been filed.

After filing an appeal, an evidentiary hearing should follow, which involves oaths, witnesses, evidence, and legal arguments. While you can represent yourself in court, hiring an experienced unemployment appeals lawyer in Bellevue increases your chances of a successful case.

Do I Need a Lawyer for an Unemployment Appeal?

While you can handle the claim yourself, you should consider consulting an unemployment appeals attorney for a higher chance of success for your case. Consult one of our Bellevue employment law attorneys in the following situations:

You have legal claims against your former employer: If you feel that your employer violated your legal rights through sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or denial of unemployment insurance for personal injury, consult with an attorney to substantiate the strength of your claims.

You were fired or quit working: If you recently lost your job, then you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. However, you may not be eligible for benefits if you left voluntarily or were fired for gross misconduct. In this case, employees must attend a hearing to determine the eligibility of their benefits. A lawyer can help you complete the relevant paperwork and act as your advocate throughout the case.

If your claims were denied: Employees whose claims were improperly denied have a right to make an unemployment appeal. Each state has their own procedure for appeals, but traditionally the employee should file an appeal and attend their court date alongside an experienced attorney.

What Does an Unemployment Lawyer Do?

Unemployment lawyers represent claimants or employees appealing for unemployment benefits from their previous employer. Most states have a properly-outlined guide that should be followed when appealing a denial of unemployment benefits.

Hiring an unemployment lawyer can make the process of navigating through the otherwise complicated legal procedures, laws, and regulations much easier. Your legal representative will know what to expect when it comes to filing an appeal and can use this knowledge to advocate for you and provide support during the court proceedings.

What Should I Say On My Unemployment Appeal?

A successful unemployment appeal requires evidence. Whether you’re appealing because of workplace discrimination or your claim was improperly denied, having supporting records and documents could make or break your case. That’s where a reliable lawyer comes in.

If a jury decides that you did not have “good cause” for leaving your job, then your claim may be denied. An attorney will know what documents to preserve or emails to gather from the workplace that could be beneficial to your appeal case.

Some examples of good causes for leaving your workplace include:

• If your worksite became unsafe
• Change of worksite making it difficult to commute
• Presence of illegal activities in your workplace
• Illegal discriminations
• If the employer violated the safety codes
• Being denied legal breaks
• The job violated religious and moral beliefs

On the other hand, if you were fired, the burden of proof lies with the employer to prove that your termination was due to gross misconduct in the workplace. Therefore, your appeal should include the exact details of the final incidents that resulted in you being fired. You can also include any reports from your employer or clients that show you were consistently praised for your work performance.

Gathering this amount of evidence may feel overwhelming; especially if you’re also searching for a new job or trying to support your family after being fired. As your legal representative, we’ll act as your advocate both in and out of the courtroom, letting you know what videos, audio recordings, or documents to gather to support your case and helping you every step of the way.

Can I Get a Lawyer for Unemployment in Bellevue?

An experienced attorney with an established law firm, who is well-versed with employment law, will be a huge asset to your case. During the initial consultation, they will work with you to gather the facts surrounding your case and determine the best course of action to help your unemployment benefits.

HKM Employment Attorneys specializes in employment law. We’ve dedicated years to helping employees seek the compensation and justice they deserve. Reach out to us today for a free consultation and we’ll discuss your options for filing an appeal for unemployment.