Need recommendations for lawyer specializing in DEO appeals and wrongful termination

I went through something similar last year. First, definitely appeal the determination within the 20-day window - make sure you don't miss that deadline! When you appeal, provide as much documentation as possible showing positive performance (emails, reviews, etc). \n\nAs for attorneys, I worked with Johnson & Wilkins in Jax - they specialize in employment law and helped me win both my DEO appeal and a separate wrongful term settlement. They offer free consultations. Don't wait on this though - the appeals process can take 6-8 weeks minimum even with an attorney.

Thank you! I already started the appeal online yesterday, but it only let me write like 500 characters explaining my side. Will they contact me for more information or should I be sending documentation somewhere? And I'll look up Johnson & Wilkins today.

OMG the same exact thing happened to me!!!! my boss was mad i took FMLA for my knee surgery and then sudenly i had

Sorry that happened to you. Your situation actually sounds like potential FMLA retaliation which is a separate legal issue from standard wrongful termination. If your termination was truly connected to taking approved FMLA leave, you might have additional legal options beyond just the unemployment appeal. Did you end up finding an attorney to help with your case?

when they denied me i had a heck of a time getting thru to deo on the phone to figure out next steps. kept getting busy signals or disconnected. used claimyr.com which got me connected to a rep in like 10 minutes. they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. the rep explained my appeal rights and how to submit additional evidence. better than waiting weeks for email responses.

Thank you for this! I've been calling the DEO for three days straight and it's either busy or I get put on hold for 2+ hours before getting disconnected. Will check this out because I have so many questions about what evidence I can submit for my appeal.

I'd recommend focusing on the unemployment appeal first before pursuing wrongful termination. Florida is an at-will employment state, so wrongful termination cases are tough to win unless you can prove discrimination based on a protected class (race, gender, disability, etc). \n\nFor the DEO appeal, Legal Aid may be able to help you for free if you meet income requirements. They have experience with unemployment appeals specifically. Call 904-356-8371 for the Jacksonville office.

This is good advice - i spent $2700 on a lawyer for wrongful termination and got nowhere but my free legal aid attorney got my unemployment approved

Make sure you understand the DEO appeals process timeline:\n\n1. Appeal must be filed within 20 days of determination date\n2. You'll receive a hearing notice (usually by email) with date/time\n3. Hearings are done by phone with an appeals referee\n4. You'll need to submit all evidence 24 hours before hearing\n5. Employer will also present their case\n6. Decision typically comes 1-3 weeks after hearing\n\nDuring the hearing, stick to facts not emotions. Focus specifically on disproving the misconduct claim. If they claim performance issues but never documented them, that strongly supports your case. The burden of proof for misconduct is on the employer.

This is really helpful, thank you! I'm worried because my former employer is a large company with an HR department and attorneys. Will I be at a big disadvantage going into the hearing without a lawyer? I can't afford to pay much but maybe I could find someone for just the hearing portion?

my cousin got fired from target last year and they said he was stealing but he wasnt and he couldnt get unemployment either. ended up working for uber eats until he found a new job. sometimes its easier to just find something new quickly instead of fighting the system

This is why these companies get away with EVERYTHING!! because people dont fight back!!! These big corporations count on us giving up!!!

For your appeal hearing, prepare these specific documents if you have them:\n1. Performance reviews (all positive ones)\n2. Any emails with praise from management\n3. Documentation of any awards/recognition\n4. Copy of company policy on progressive discipline\n5. Testimony from coworkers (written statements are accepted)\n\nThe Florida Bar Association also has a referral service where you can get a 30-minute consultation with an employment attorney for $50. Might be worth it just to get professional advice on your specific situation before the hearing.

I have all my performance reviews and some emails from my manager praising my work from just 3 weeks before I was fired! I didn't know about the Florida Bar referral service - I'll definitely look into that. $50 seems reasonable for at least some guidance on how to present my case.

One more important tip: During your appeal hearing, if the employer claims they warned you about performance issues, ask the referee to have them provide evidence of those warnings. If they can't produce documented warnings, that significantly weakens their misconduct claim. \n\nAlso, in Florida, \

This is incredibly helpful! I was wondering about that because I know I never intentionally violated any policies. They just suddenly said my numbers weren't meeting expectations, but they never gave me any specific targets or warnings before the termination. I'll definitely focus on this during the hearing.

idk about lawyers but make sure u keep claiming weeks while ur appeal is pending!!!! i didnt know this and lost out on 6 weeks of payments even tho i eventually won my appeal. u have to keep doing the work search and claiming every 2 weeks or they wont pay u retroactively

Oh wow, I didn't realize this! I thought since I was denied I shouldn't claim weeks anymore. Thanks for letting me know - I'll make sure to keep up with the work search requirements and claiming while waiting for the appeal.