Writing on Wisconsin Legal Rights
An educational legal blog focused on highlighting important legal issues for Wisconsin workers, families, and individuals. Contact UsAttorneys Halstead and Knatterud-Johnson’s representation of employee fired for use of lawful CBD product highlighted by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Madison Shareholding Attorney Aaron Halstead and Associate Attorney Emma Knatterud-Johnson were recently featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for their work on an employment discrimination case involving the lawful use of a CBD product and resulting wrongful...
My Long-Term Disability Lawsuit Has Been Filed. Now What?
Important disclaimer: The information in this blog post is intended as general guidance for lawsuits filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). If your claim is regarding an individual disability insurance policy not governed by ERISA,...
I Just Lost My Job. What Should I Do Next?
Losing your job unexpectedly can be one of the most stressful situations in life. At Hawks Quindel, S.C. we have extensive experience helping Wisconsin workers through times like this. In this post, we’ll talk about some concrete tips that can help...
Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Divorce?
In the state of Wisconsin, divorce parties are able to represent themselves in court. Many litigants elect to proceed pro se, or without counsel, as representation may be cost prohibitive, or it may be an unusually amicable proceeding. However, obtaining an attorney...
Your LTD Appeal Was Approved! Now What?
Congratulations—your long-term disability appeal was approved! The good news is that you will likely be receiving a check from your disability insurance carrier for the total amount of past due disability benefits and begin receiving monthly benefit...
Milwaukee Shareholder Summer Murshid Named Women In Law’s Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year
Milwaukee Shareholder Summer Murshid was named Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year from the Women in Law Awards. Lawyer Monthly interviewed Attorney Murshid about her trailblazing career in Employment law and Advocacy for Workers' Rights, read the full article...
Hawks Quindel Joins Forces with Distinguished Workers’ Rights Attorney Nieves Bolaños to Launch Chicago Office
Hawks Quindel expands reach to serve more workers throughout the Midwest MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – July 10, 2024 – Hawks Quindel today announced the launch of its Chicago office, which will be led by esteemed workers’...
I am on an H-2A or H-2B visa and I sustained a workplace injury, can I stay in the U.S. while I receive medical treatment?
If you've been injured on the job as an H-2A or H-2B worker and require ongoing medical treatment, there are steps you can take to extend your visa in order to continue receiving medical care: Notify Your Employer: Inform your employer immediately about your workplace...
Can I File a Short-/Long-Term Disability Insurance Claim While I’m Still Working?
If you have a chronic or progressive medical condition that is beginning to impact your ability to work, you might be wondering if you can file for benefits under your Short- or Long-Term Disability Insurance policy before you stop working. Even if your medical...
Navigating Disabilities in the Workplace: Should I seek a disability accommodation or disability benefits?
Disabled individuals may have a number of protections and rights in the workplace. However, determining how and when to invoke those rights can often be challenging as individuals try to balance the restrictions imposed by their disability with their desire to...
Understanding When Social Security Reduces Supplementary Security Income Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) treats SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits differently. If you receive SSDI benefits, the SSA generally won't reduce your benefits even if you receive help from...
What is Social Security Looking for Anyway? The Sequential Evaluation Process
According to data provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 2 million Americans apply for public disability benefits each year. All of these applications for Social Security benefits on the basis of disability go through the same five-step...
Understanding the Role of the Guardian Ad Litem in Family Court
In virtually any family court matter involving minor children, there is eventually a Guardian Ad Litem involved. Establishing a good relationship with the Guardian Ad Litem can be crucial to getting the outcomes you want, and avoiding major problems down the road. Put...
The FTC Bans Non-Compete Agreements: Employees – Move Forward with Caution
On April 23, 2024, the FTC released their long-awaited ban on non-compete agreements. It is the FTC’s position that non-compete agreements by their very nature limit competition. Under the FTC’s final rule, an employer cannot offer,...
Responding To New Information During Your Short- or Long-Term Disability Appeal
You appealed a denial of your Short- or Long-Term Disability claim. Now the insurance company is asking you to respond to a report from a doctor that they hired to review you records. You might be confused as to what is happening. Why does the insurance company want...
Unveiling the Benefits of Mediation for Long-Term Disability Insurance Cases
If your long-term disability (LTD) insurer has rendered a final denial regarding your claim for benefits such that you are unable to file any more appeals to the insurer, you have “exhausted your administrative remedies†under the...
FAQs Regarding Wisconsin’s Protection Against Arrest and Conviction Record Discrimination
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.321) prohibits employers from discriminating against prospective or current employees because of their arrest and/or conviction records. That seems simple enough. But the reality is a lot more...
Attorney Jubelirer Wins Duty Disability Claim on Appeal for Rare Firefighter Cancer
Attorney Brandon Jubelirer recently prevailed in securing duty disability survivors benefits for the widow of a firefighter who passed away from a rare form of cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma in 2012. On appeal, the Labor and Industry Review Commission found the...
I Lied To My Doctor About the Cause of my Workplace Injury Because my Employer Asked or Pressured Me To Do So; Did I Lose My Worker’s Compensation Benefits?
Employers will sometimes ask or pressure employees to lie about the cause of a workplace injury. For example, they may tell an employee to tell their doctor that they were hurt while fixing the roof of their own home, when the truth is that they fell off of a roof...
Workplace Injuries at Wisconsin Dairy Farms
Attorneys Martha Burke and Gabriel Manzano Nieves had the opportunity to speak with ProPublica reporters Melissa Sanchez and Maryam Jameel about workplace injuries that occur on Wisconsin dairy farms. Over the last several months Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Jameel have been...
Bridging the Gap: Ending Mental Health Disparity in Disability Insurance Policies
In recent years, the conversation surrounding mental health has gained momentum, prompting a closer examination of how mental health concerns are addressed across various facets of our lives. While strides have been made in ensuring mental health parity in health...
2023 Super Lawyers
Hawks Quindel, S.C. is proud to announce that 10 of our very own were selected for the 2023 Wisconsin Super Lawyers list! Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Larry...
Know the Risks Before Quitting Your Job After a Work Injury
If you suffer an injury at work, you may want to quit your job for several reasons. You may have safety concerns about your workplace, you may be worried that you will no longer be able to perform your job duties because of your injury, or you may be interested in...
Getting Divorced with Pets
Recent studies show that nearly 50% of millennials do not want, or are unsure if they want, human children. But according to a 2020/21 poll by Emma Bedford, Millennials have the highest percentage of pet ownership in the United States (32%), followed by Baby Boomers...
An Uphill Battle: Understanding the “Arbitrary and Capricious” Standard of Review.
Let's say that your long-term disability (LTD) insurance carrier has denied or terminated your claim for LTD benefits and you’ve exhausted your administrative appeals. Your next step is to file a lawsuit against the carrier. In most circumstances,...