About Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Canaan Suitt received his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. After serving as a senior editor for the law school’s comparative law blog, he was a staff member of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (ELPR). As a legal intern at the National Center for State Courts, he assisted in international rule of law projects and policy review; as a research assistant, he studied political dynamics in the U.S. federal judiciary. His articles on law and philosophy have been published in the ELPR as well as the academic journal Dewey Studies. He loves using his background in research and writing to make legal information accessible. Canaan currently writes for SuperLawyers.com. In his free time, he enjoys reading, travel, and being a cat dad.
Articles written by Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Should I Sue for Sexual Harassment in Federal or State Court?
When pursuing litigation, determining where to sue and the specific claims to bring is a fundamental step. Sometimes, circumstances such as a missed statute of limitations force plaintiffs to sue in one court over another. Other times, plaintiffs have the option to sue under federal or state law and have to decide which will be most advantageous to their case. Deciding isn't always a straightforward task. When it comes to sexual harassment claims, federal anti-discrimination law sets the …
What Legal Action Can I Take Against Online Sexual Harassment?
Traditionally, sexual harassment has been considered an employment claim, says Elizabeth Hanley, an employment and labor law attorney at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle who represents employees in a wide range of discrimination and wrongful termination cases. And even as sexual harassment remains a significant problem within U.S. workplaces, technology has expanded the domain of sexually harassing behaviors beyond the physical workplace. In our social and work environments shaped by …
What Is Age Discrimination?
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), approximately one quarter of employees aged 50 or older reported hearing negative comments about a co-worker’s age within the last two years. Two-thirds believe age discrimination is a problem in American workplaces. Legal protections exist for older employees against age discrimination. Regardless of at-will employment in the United States, employers cannot make adverse employment decisions for discriminatory reasons — …
What Are My Legal Options if My School Fails to Address a Title IX Complaint?
In a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities at 21 colleges and universities nationwide, nearly 42 percent of all students at the undergraduate and graduate levels reported experiencing at least one sexually harassing behavior since their academic enrollment. Approximately 19 percent of students reported behavior that either: Interfered with their academic or professional performance Limited their ability to participate in an educational program Created a hostile social, …
What Are My Legal Rights When Fired from a Job?
Losing a job is disruptive enough, but the impact is worse when it happens for suspicious or unlawful reasons. Though most employees work at-will, meaning you can be fired without warning or cause, not every firing is legal. If your termination stems from discrimination, retaliation, or a breach of contract, it may qualify as wrongful termination. Beyond why you were let go, you also have financial rights. Final paycheck laws control when you must receive your last wages. Severance agreements …
Understanding the Role of Retaliation in Wrongful Termination Cases
Most employees in the United States work at will. This means that just as they can leave their job for any reason and at any time, their employer can terminate them for any reason — except unlawful reasons. Unlawful retaliation is one of the most common kinds of wrongful termination claim reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that handles employment discrimination claims. This article will briefly explain what retaliation is and what you can do if …
How Do I Know if I Have a Wrongful Termination Claim?
To bring a successful wrongful termination claim, employees must prove that their employer violated their legal rights. This requires more than being treated unfairly. An employer must have violated federal or state laws when they fired the employee. Illegal reasons for firing an employee can depend on your state laws. To find out if you have a wrongful termination case, talk to a local employment lawyer. Four Questions To Assess If You Have a Wrongful Termination Claim To assess whether you …
Pregnancy and Birth Complications: Medical Errors and Potential Lawsuits
"Every year, a small number of children are injured due to pregnancy or birth complications," says Peter Villari, a medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia whose practice focuses on birth injury lawsuits. He notes that not all birth-related injuries are due to medical negligence. “The majority of people who contact us don’t have a medical malpractice claim. If there isn’t a case, we still try to help them by directing them to communities or agencies that may help them with their …
Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Legal Considerations
"If a child is diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, it's a 24/7 job for the parents or parents and siblings serving as that child's caregivers," says Peter Villari, a medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia who focuses on birth injury law. "Most caregivers only have family resources. Sadly, some don't have even that—the brothers, sisters, mothers, or fathers who can help them and give them respite to care for their child." The Emotional and Financial Impacts of Birth Injuries On top …
Head and Brain Birth Injuries: Legal Options and Potential Lawsuits
Injuries to a child's brain during delivery can result in serious brain damage and permanent disabilities requiring lifelong medical care. The costs of lifelong care are enormous, says Peter M. Villari, a medical malpractice attorney at Villari, Giannone & Matteo in Philadelphia who focuses on birth trauma cases. When a child's birth injuries were due to medical negligence, affected families can bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible healthcare providers for financial …
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