UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

For years, we had been unable to represent individuals before DLLR with regard to hearing challenging the claimants’ eligibility to receive unemployment benefits due to the extremely low nature of fees set by the Unemployment Commission. It had been limited to $100 per hearing unless I were to file a special exception and it frankly was not worth it, given the time for travel, preparation and the hearing itself.  People who were challenged as being denied for misconduct or voluntary quit issues were going with representation.  In today’s economy, the value of those benefits is immense often accounting for about $450 a week for almost 100 weeks.

That fee has now been raised by the Commission to be two times the weekly benefit amount. Thus, I am now willing an able to represent claimants at these hearing for a flat $750 charge for cases in the Baltimore City/ County area or $800 if the travel is a little further. I am happy I can now offer this as a service given this change. Call if you need assistance.

John Singleton

Many union members may not be aware that this law firm provides legal services at discounted rates to members of labor organizations.  For over 30 years, I have been representing workers including unions with regard to the array of matters affecting working men and women.  While my practice is primarily in the labor and employment law field, we handle an array of other legal matters.

Over the years, I have represented union members in medical malpractice and other personal injury cases oftentimes getting them better results than others with no relationship to the union.  Thus, we handle personal injury cases of all types including automobile accidents workers’ compensation, etc. I have just gotten another attorney, Michelle Daley. to come work in our offices to handle the matters that we didn’t traditionally handle such as divorce and other domestic matters, bankruptcy, real estate etc.  The bottom line is that we take very special interest in protecting the rights of union members of the unions that we represent.  If you have any legal problem or any member of your immediate family does, call me and I will make sure that you get he very best representation possible.  If for some reason, we cannot handle the matter, I will find the best possible referrals available.  The discounts that we offer are generally applicable to hourly paid work but may also apply to person injury as well.  Give us a call and you will be glad that you did.

EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC RECESSION ON EMPLOYMENT LAW CASES
As on would expect, there seem to be many more people losing their jobs today that finding one.  Oftentimes, the first reaction other than terror to learning of your job loss is anger.  Anger about how it is unfair, illegal or many other adjectives that would identify a terrible event.  Unfortunately, the larger majority of workers seeking my legal assistance recently have been older workers.  When times get tough and employers need to cut labor costs, older higher paid workers are generally the first target.  A company can save a truckload more money getting rid of a highly paid executive rather than 10 production workers.  Most distressing about this trend is that older workers are finding it very difficult to find re-employment.  There are plenty of low paying jobs out there but not many for corporate executives.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being called into HR or a similar office and told that your services are no longer needed, more likely than not you also will be presented with a severance and release package for you to sign.  It says that you have 21 days to review it and even 7 days to revoke it after signing but there is also a suggestion to get it in quickly.  These are legal documents  in which you waive many rights.  Please have an experienced employment law attorney review any severance document before signing it.  It is a small investment compared to the rights and money that you may be throwing out the window.  Each week, we get calls from dozens of people who have lost their jobs.  KNOW YOUR RIGHTS before you sign them away.

John Singleton

Labor Lawyer John Singleton discusses employment law and explains basic principles about employment contracts, termination rights, wrongful discharge rights, and worker’s compensation.

John Singleton from Singleton Law Group testifying before the Board of Public Works on June 1, 2011 before the Lt. Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer with regard to the Taxi Drivers and Shuttle Drivers. The segment is at 1 :12 .00 to 1:22.00 – you can slide the video along with the one hour 12 minute point to see the 10 minutes of testimony