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Why You Should Never Accept a Discrimination Settlement Without an Attorney

Aug. 3, 2022

Were you the victim of employment discrimination under a protected category? In that case, the last thing you want to do is accept a settlement without help from a Schaumburg employment discrimination lawyer. You may settle for an unfair amount that does little to compensate for your losses.

Top Reasons Why You Should Hire an Attorney before Accepting a Discrimination Settlement  

Here are some of the main reasons why you should hire an attorney before accepting a settlement for a workplace discrimination claim:

Insufficient Evidence for a Sufficient Discrimination Settlement 

Gathering evidence regarding your experience can mean the difference between a weak or solid settlement. You first need to prove your employer's intent since few will ever say they were biased.

A Schaumburg employment discrimination lawyer will ensure you collect evidence that can result in a larger settlement per EEOC requirements. This includes documents such as procedures, policies, handwritten notes, letters, files, attendance records, and any other content that can be used to maximize your settlement claim. For instance, if your employer says you were fired or demoted because of poor work performance, but your last few performance reviews were stellar, you may get a larger settlement. 

They Can Run a Cost-Benefit Analysis on Your Behalf 

An experienced Schaumburg employment discrimination lawyer has years of cases to draw from when developing a cost-benefit analysis for your case. They will do that by revealing weaknesses and strong points, determining the expense of discovery trails, and the amount you can recover if you win.

Your lawyer can also determine your chances of winning and if their assessment changes as the case progress. Their direction and guidance can help you make informed decisions as your employer tries to downplay or outright deny your case. 

They Can Determine Damages 

The main recovery form for workplace discrimination lawsuits is monetary damages. To win those, you have to prove that your employer acted illegally and that their behavior resulted in a loss or damages.

Your Schaumburg employment discrimination lawyer will evaluate your case thoroughly to determine said losses. In an employment discrimination case, this can include lost wages, benefits, emotional turmoil, and punitive damages (to punish employers). In some cases, you may be able to get a settlement large enough to cover your attorney's fee or be entitled to it from your employer. 

They Can Coach You 

Even if you have your ducks in a row for your discrimination case, you may be a poor witness. Your lawyer can determine this and coach you on how you should represent yourself in court as the key witness. You need to appear clear, organized, presentable, and honest to have any sway over a jury or judge. A sincere and credible demeanor can maximize your settlement claim more than you realize. 

Contact the Law Office of Michael T. Smith & Associates

Workplace discrimination can make your life miserable and affect your performance. You can and should sue if you think your employer is treating you unfairly because of your skin color, age, religion, or other protected category. Contact our attorneys at the Law Office of Michael T. Smith & Associates for a consultation today. We represent employees like you across Schaumburg, IL, and can help you get the compensation you deserve.