The Most Common Types of Lawsuits, Explained in Simple Terms
Lawsuits can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking for anyone involved. However, a lawyer can offer valuable guidance through legal proceedings and help you pursue justice. An attorney can help you build a strong case against the at-fault party based on the available evidence and increase your chances of receiving a high compensation.
The most common types of lawsuits include:
- Employment discrimination and wrongful termination
- Torts
- Breach of contract
- Workers’ compensation
- Product liability
- Medical malpractice
Employment Discrimination and Wrongful Termination
If you are required to hire an employment discrimination lawyer in your area, it is likely to be because you have faced a form of discrimination or wrongful termination in the workplace. Unfortunately, this is a widespread phenomenon in professional settings throughout the United States. Employers may be held liable for their actions if they were done willfully, maliciously, or with reckless indifference to the rights of others.Â
Employment discrimination is characterized by unequal treatment in employment based on a legally protected characteristic such as race, sex, religious beliefs, or disability.
Many laws protect individuals from unfair employment practices. The Attorneys at Anidjar & Levine can provide litigation for Fort Lauderdale lawsuits and will help in filing lawsuits on your behalf.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. Title VII also prohibits retaliation against an employee who files a charge of discrimination or participates in an investigation. The Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is a federal law that protects women from being fired, demoted, or denied any other employment opportunity because they are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that protects individuals 40 years of age or older from discrimination based on age. Specifically, it makes it illegal for an employer to harass a person at least 40 years of age.
Title I of Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most common federally mandated law on the books. The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and transportation by private entities.
Torts
Torts are lawsuits that cover personal injury (pain and suffering), property damage, defamation, slander, etc. Torts are civil wrongs committed by one person against another, a group, or the public. Typically, someone sues the guilty party to obtain compensation for the injuries suffered or to prevent similar harm from happening to others.
Breach of Contract
Contract law focuses on the interpretation and enforcement of agreements between parties. Breach of contract occurs when one party to an agreement fails to honor their promises under the contract terms.
When this happens, the victim or injured party may be entitled to damages that can include payment for either lost profits or pain and suffering and punitive damages when appropriate. Breach of contract lawsuits can be filed against any entity that breaches a contract, whether a corporation, a person, or another business organization.
Workers’ Compensation Lawsuit
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that allows employees to collect benefits if they are injured on the job. There are three main types of workers’ compensation lawsuits:
- Auto accidents that occur while commuting to and from work
- Injuries in the workplace or during work-related travel
- Wrongful termination lawsuits
Product Liability Lawsuit
Product liability lawsuits are cases that may be brought against a manufacturer, distributor, or seller if the product causes personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death to a consumer. A person injured by using an allegedly defective product may file suit against any or all parties in the chain of distribution for negligence or breach of warranty.
Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Medical malpractice lawsuits can come about when a medical practitioner has allegedly provided inappropriate, substandard, and negligent care to their patients. A medical malpractice suit can be filed against the physician and the healthcare facility, among others.
The primary purpose of a medical malpractice claim is to hold doctors and other medical professionals accountable for their mistakes to prevent them from happening in the future.
Final Thoughts
There are many different reasons you might be sued and many different types of lawsuits. It is best to seek legal representation from a lawyer with ample experience in the type of lawsuit that applies to your case.
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
