how to find attorney to sue company of illegal activity

Do I have a case against my employer for illegal activity?

7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. master:2022-04-19_10-08-26. If you are fired because you refused to do something illegal at work or because you reported illegal activity, you may have legal claims against your employer. A number of laws intended to protect the public from dangerous or illegal activity, from environmental dumping to ...

How do I file a lawsuit against a lawyer?

May 15, 2020 · If a company won't resolve a problem, look up the better business bureau or consumer protection office in your state. You need to have the legal business name, legal name of the owner, and phone number when making a complaint. This can be a good middle step if the company won't work with you outside of court but you don't want to sue the company yet.

Can I sue my employer if I refuse to do something illegal?

OSHA Regulations for Retail Stores. Violations of the law in a workplace can occur in multiple ways. Employees engaging in illegal activities at work, an employer violating labor laws or engaging in illegal activity, or an employer dealing with third parties engaged in illegal activities all pose hazards to employers and workers.

How do you sue a company?

Sep 09, 2021 · In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond. In some states, the complaining party has a chance to comment on the lawyer's response and request an investigation.

How do I prepare a company to sue?

Steps to Suing a CompanyDetermine who it is you want to sue. You need to find out if it is a business, an individual, or both.Determine the correct jurisdiction. ... Draft a demand letter. ... Fill up the court forms and register with the court. ... Receive your court date.Serve documents to the defendant via mail.

Can you sue a company for lying about a product?

Yes, you can sue for false advertising. Many states have a specific false advertising law that gives consumers the right to sue businesses for misleading them into purchasing or paying more for the company's goods or services.

What are examples of civil rights violations?

What Are Examples of Civil Rights Violations?Unreasonable searches and seizures.Cruel and unusual punishment.Losing a job or being passed over for a promotion due to discrimination.Abuse by a public official.Any discrimination based on a superficial quality or belief.Oct 9, 2019

What to do if a company lies to you?

What to do When a Company Lies About Its ProductsThe lawsuit. ... Buy carefully. ... Ask for clarification. ... Appeal to the management or executive level. ... Go to a higher authority. ... Stop buying the product – and tell others to do the same.Mar 15, 2012

What is the legal term for lying?

PerjuryPerjury is the intentional act of swearing a false oath or falsifying an affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to an official proceeding.

What are the 5 civil rights?

Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, the right to a fair trial, the right to government services, the right to a public education, and the right to use public facilities.Mar 8, 2022

What are the 10 civil rights?

Civil LibertiesFreedom of speech.Freedom of the press.Freedom of religion.Freedom to vote.Freedom against unwarranted searches of your home or property.Freedom to have a fair court trial.Freedom to remain silent in a police interrogation.

What is deprivation of rights?

Deprivation of rights under color of law is a federal criminal charge that is sometimes used against the police and other law enforcement officers when they allegedly use their power to violate another person's rights under the United States Constitution.

How to make informed decisions?

Make Informed Decisions in a No-Pressure Setting 1 Always 100% free to find and communicate with licensed attorneys - no hidden fees 2 Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys 3 All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations 4 Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision 5 Know exactly how much each lawyer charges in detail 6 Lawyer star ratings and reviews show previous customer experiences with each attorney and allow you to properly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses 7 Gain access to lawyers in every area of law 8 No random matching or choosing - you make your decision based on a lawyer's expertise, experience, pricing, and availability 9 There is never any obligation to hire or contact a lawyer through our service - you decide if and when you contact an attorney

Is your privacy protected?

Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys. All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations. Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision.

How does a lawsuit affect your life?

A lawsuit may take a lot of time and energy, and can be emotionally draining. Remember that you might find that you have less time and energy to devote to your work, business, family, and social life for the duration of the lawsuit. The case may involve completing demand letters and paperwork, filing at the clerk's office, waiting in court until your turn to speak, and following any of the judge's orders.

What is the statute of limitations for a lawsuit?

Laws that place a time limit on bringing a lawsuit are called " statutes of limitations .". You do not need to handle the entire case within the statute of limitations. You will have a certain amount of time to file the lawsuit, and then the lawsuit can take whatever time the state courts determine it needs. 8.

What happens if you know you are at fault?

If they know they are at fault and are able to make the situation right, most individuals or businesses will do what they can to resolve the matter, rather than be dragged to court.

How can a dispute be resolved?

From car accidents and injuries to family-related issues to financial disputes, disputes can often be solved through communication and compromise. Not every dispute involves a legal cause of action.

Can you sue someone from a different state?

If you are suing someone from a different state, a court in your state may not have power or "jurisdiction" over that person. In that case, you might have to sue the defendant in his or her location, which will probably be more expensive and inconvenient for you.

What is a small claims court?

Each state's court system has some variation of " small claims court " or "conciliation" court, which only hears disputes in which a certain dollar amount is at issue (usually $5,000 or less).

Can I represent myself in small claims court?

If your case meets the requirements for small claims court, you will usually be able to represent yourself, if you wish. You will save attorneys' fees by doing so. However, you may wish to pay an attorney to coach or advise you on how to prepare your case.

What are some examples of third party crimes?

Examples of third-party crime include money laundering or altering accounting records to cover business associates' crimes. Maintaining your safety is critical when you suspect or observe illegal activity at work.

What is undercover security?

Security guards and undercover security personnel track and apprehend criminal employees. Employees may also engage in crimes like abusing drugs or alcohol at work; driving company vehicles or operating equipment under the influence puts employers and employees at risk. Employees abusing or selling illegal substances at work also pose safety ...

What is the purpose of security systems?

Security systems and staffing assist employers with minimizing theft and losses due to employee's illegal activities. Equipment like video surveillance and electronic security systems are used for documenting and preventing employee crimes.

Is it safe to leave a job?

Leaving a job where illegal activities are occurring may be your only safe course of action if you're reporting your employer or co-workers to law enforcement. References. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What happens if you don't report a violation of the law?

If there's no evidence of a violation, the board will dismiss the case and notify you. If the violation is minor, a phone call or letter to the lawyer usually ends the matter.

Who reviews ethics complaints?

In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.

What is the responsibility of a lawyer?

Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible.

What are the rules of professional conduct?

The American Bar Association publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which lists standard ethical violations and best practices for lawyers. Some states have adopted the model rules as their own ethical rules, while others use it as a guide and modify or add rules.

Can you win a malpractice lawsuit?

If you’re looking for compensation, a malpractice lawsuit is generally the way to go. However, legal malpractice lawsuits can be very difficult to win. Among other things, you must show that your lawyer made a significant mistake in your case and that you suffered a monetary loss because of it.

What is the duty of a lawyer?

Lawyers have a duty to keep their clients reasonably informed about the status of their cases, to respond promptly to requests for information, and to consult with their clients about important decisions in their cases (for example, whether to accept a settlement offer). Not returning the client's documents.

How to prove a false representation?

In order to prevail in a lawsuit for fraudulent misrepresentation, the plaintiff must be able to prove the following six elements: 1 A representation was made (in contract law, a representation is any action or conduct that can be turned into a statement of fact). 2 The representation was false. 3 The representation, when made, was either known to be false or made recklessly without knowledge of its truth. 4 The representation was made with the intention that the other party rely on it. 5 The other party did, in fact, rely on the representation. 6 The other party suffered damages as a result of relying on the representation.

What is representation in contract law?

A representation was made (in contract law, a representation is any action or conduct that can be turned into a statement of fact). The representation was false. The representation, when made, was either known to be false or made recklessly without knowledge of its truth.

Is a contract valid if it is not accurate?

If the expressed terms are not accurate, then any agreement is based on a false premise and the contract is invalid. Knowingly making false statements -- whether in writing, verbally, through a simple gesture, or even silence -- constitutes false misrepresentation if it has a material effect on the deal.

What happens if you win a constructive discharge case?

If you win a constructive discharge case, you will be entitled to money damages from your employer. The damages available depend on the legal claims you can make—that is, they depend on the reason why your employer forced you out. Depending on the facts, you may be entitled to:

What is it called when you quit your job?

When you quit or resign from your job because you were subjected to illegal working conditions that were so intolerable that you felt you had no other choice, it’s called a constructive discharge. Even though you quit, the law treats you as if you were fired, because your employer essentially forced you out.

How to prove constructive discharge?

To prove a claim of constructive discharge, you generally have to show all of the following: 1 You were subjected to illegal working conditions or treatment at work (such as sexual harassment or retaliation for complaining of workplace safety violations). 2 You complained to your supervisor, boss, or human resources department, but the mistreatment continued. 3 The mistreatment was so intolerable that any reasonable employee would quit rather than continue to work in that environment. 4 You quit because of the mistreatment.

Can you get unemployment if you quit?

However, if you were forced to quit in a constructive discharge, you should still qualify for unemployment benefits. When you file your claim for benefits, explain that you were compelled to quit due to your employer’s mistreatment. (For more information, see Unemployment Compensation When You’ve Lost Your Job .)

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer will review all of the facts, explain your potential claims, and estimate how much your claims might be worth. A lawyer can also help you decide on the best strategy to vindicate your rights, whether through negotiating with your employer, filing a complaint with a government agency, or going to court.

What is whistleblowing in business?

Whistleblowing occurs when an employee reports illegal conduct at work that is not related to workplace rights. For example, you are a whistleblower if you report that your company is cooking the books; engaging in shareholder fraud; producing faulty, dangerous, or mislabeled products; or lying on its tax returns.

What are the laws that protect workers from retaliation?

Here are some of the most common laws protecting workers from retaliation: 1 Workplace harassment and discrimination. You may not be fired for making a complaint (whether to your own HR department or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) about harassment or discrimination in the workplace; for participating in an investigation of these issues; or for exercising your rights under these laws (by, for example, requesting a reasonable accommodation for your disability or your religious practices). 2 Wage and hour laws. Your employer may not fire you for complaining, whether internally or to the Department of Labor, that your employer has failed to pay the minimum wage, failed to pay overtime, denied legally required breaks, or illegally kept a portion of your tips, for example. 3 Leave laws. You can't be fired for exercising your right to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or similar state laws, to take workers' compensation leave, to take time off to vote or serve on a jury, to take paid sick leave (if required by state or local law), or to take any other legally protected time off work. 4 Health and safety laws. You may not be fired for reporting, whether within your company or to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, health and safety violations at your workplace. 5 Worker's compensation laws. Your employer may not fire or otherwise penalize you for filing a workers' compensation claim for an on-the-job injury.

Can you sue your employer for wrongful termination?

If your employer fired you for reporting illegal behavior or exercising your legal rights, you may be able to sue for wrongful termination. Below, we explain how to pursue your claim.

What do you do if you are fired for retaliation?

For example, if you were fired for complaining of workplace harassment or discrimination, you will need to first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If you want to sue for wrongful termination in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower protections, you must first file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Do lawyers get paid if you win?

This means the lawyer is paid only if you win, out of the money you receive through a court award or a settlement with your employer. Some retaliation statutes include an attorneys' fees provision, requiring a losing employer to pay the winning employee's legal fees.

Can you get damages for pain and suffering?

In some cases, you might also be entitled to damages for "pain and suffering," for the emotional and physical harm caused by your employer's actions. Punitive damages, intended to punish your employer for particularly egregious misconduct, may also be available.

Why are there so many HOA board frauds?

Many HOA board frauds are perpetrated because there is no third party oversight. You can make a motion at the special meeting to hire an HOA manager so that a neutral third party can assist. A reputable homeowner association management firm can oversee finances, uncover or allay fears about fraudulent activity, as well as provide full professional services including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, flooring, painting, construction, as well as cleaning and maintenance.

What is embezzlement in California?

Embezzlement: California embezzlement laws define embezzlement as the act of someone fraudulently taking property that has been entrusted to him or her by someone else. This would mean an HOA board member covertly takes the HOA’s funds for himself or herself.

What are HOA boards vulnerable to?

Groups that are run by volunteers that handle money are particularly vulnerable to fraud, embezzlement, illegal activities, and scams. HOA boards are no exception. Access to funds is a temptation that some cannot resist.

What is a HOA in California?

HOAs are typically California nonprofit corporations called mutual benefit corporations. Directors of a mutual benefit corporation can be charged with a crime if they commit certain misconduct offenses within the HOA. This includes:

What is a kickback in HOA?

Kickbacks: A board member or group within the board conspires to steer contracts to vendors who have promised kickbacks in return for the business they’ll receive. Since the kickback money is a portion of the monies paid to the contractor, it’s a form of HOA fraud. Election Rigging: A more complex form of HOA fraud is rigging elections to ...

What is HOA fraud?

Election Rigging: A more complex form of HOA fraud is rigging elections to the HOA board. Individuals band together to get their friends and associates elected to the board. Once elected, those board members use their power to steer contracts to companies they own, contractors who promise kickbacks, or to skim funds from the HOA.

What section of the Civil Code allows you to access the board's records?

If you aren’t a board member and want access to the board’s records, Civil Code sections 5200-5240 allows you access to the association’s records. You can review or request copies of the following:

What are some examples of self help evictions?

The state forbids landlords from taking the law into their own hands. Examples of illegal "self-help" evictions include changing the locks, taking the tenant's belongings, removing the front door, or turning off the heat or electricity.

What happens if a landlord evicts a tenant?

A landlord who illegally evicts a tenant in California is liable to the tenant for certain damages. Whether the tenant sues in civil court or small claims court, the tenant may recover the following amounts: 1 actual damages (out-of-pocket losses), such as motel bills if the tenant has to find a temporary place to live because the landlord cut off utility service, and 2 punitive damages of up to $100 per day of violation (but not less than $250 in punitive damages for each separate violation).

Can a tenant be sued for eviction?

A tenant who is illegally evicted can either sue the landlord (either in civil court or small claims court) or use the illegal eviction as a defense or countersuit to an eviction lawsuit. After trying to illegally evict a tenant, the landlord might decide to go to court and bring an eviction lawsuit against the tenant.