Attorneys that practice employment law tend to handle a broad variety of cases. This includes contact negotiations and disputes as well as civil rights issues and violations. Employment discrimination, corporate compliance, and other complex areas of civil litigation are also within the purview of employment law firms.

In some instances, the cases these lawyers handle will go to court, while others will be mediated during the pretrial phase. Federal civil cases, for example, used to go to trial more often. In 1962, 11.5% of these cases did so. Currently, however, approximately one percent of civil cases will be tried in Federal courts, according to legal experts.

While it does depend on the complexity of the case along with other factors, alternative dispute resolution may be effective in a variety of situations. When one or more employees believe they are being discriminated against or that their rights are otherwise being violated, the potential exists for this situation to be resolved through mediation.

Other potential situations that may be resolved through alternative dispute resolution include when one or more employees claim that they have to perform their jobs within a toxic or otherwise dangerous work environment. Additional issues that could be mediated include unfair labor practices such as firing someone for making a formal or official complaint about this.

According to a recent survey, Indoor and outdoor air quality is a concern for over 40% of people living and working within the United States. During the course of performing their jobs, many Americans may come into contact with these toxic substances:

• Carbon emissions
• Tropospheric ozone
• Particulate matter
• Sulfur oxides
• Volatile organic compounds
• Radon
• Refrigerants
• Methane emissions

While being in the proximity of some of the above substances may be within an employee’s job description, an employer may not be reinforcing or providing appropriate safety measures or following regulations. In these instances, there may be grounds for a case. When being in contact with these substances is not within someone’s job description, then there may also be grounds for further inquiry and a potential case.

There are a variety of situations, however, where alternative dispute resolution may be both preferred and recommended. When an employer or employee utilizes the services of a effective neutral mediator, for example, there’s a possibility that a situation such as a breach of contract can be resolved without going to court.

If you would like to know more about the different types of cases handled by employment lawyers, or determine whether or not a current legal matter can be addressed through alternative dispute resolution, contact a firm for an initial consultation. At this time, you can discuss your situation with an attorney and they will be able to provide you with legal advice and recommendations. There’s a strong possibility that your case may be handled out of court, which is often preferred by those involved.