Title 38 of the United States Code § 7401 (1) provides very specific rights for medical professionals who work at agencies like the Veterans Administration (VA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Whether you are a doctor who was demoted or transferred after a heated political discussion with your supervisor about the role of government in healthcare; or you are a nurse who endured harassment from a patient and whose supervisors took no action to stop the harassment, you need to protect your rights and career.
To pursue justice, complete any relevant paperwork in your case, ensure that you hew closely to any rules, regulations and deadlines, and maintain your sanity (and cortisol levels) in the face of your work-related challenges is no small task! Here are some reasons to choose a qualified VA attorney to get you through this rough patch in your career:
- Reclaim attorney fees. In addition to obtaining compensation for harassment, unfair termination or transfer, or retaliation, your lawyer can also help you obtain attorney’s fees.
- Protect your career. For instance, maybe you work at an overstaffed surgical unit in the VA, and you recently complained to a supervisor, only to find yourself demoted or unfairly transferred in retaliation. An attorney might be able to overturn that action, help you obtain fair compensation, reset your career trajectory and work to ensure that you have adequate resources in your unit in the future.
- Meet critical filing deadlines, and process all required paperwork. Federal employees often face very rapid deadlines for filing an action (as little as 45 days, under certain circumstances). Mishandled paperwork or lapsed deadlines can create serious problems, even for an otherwise bulletproof case. A qualified Title 38 employment lawyer will work with you to navigate these and other bureaucratic hurdles.
- Get the empathy you need. As a doctor or nurse, you know how important it is for your patients to “feel felt” and to stay connected as they work through challenging medical situations and painful procedures. Likewise, you need empathy while managing the aftermath of a hostile action from a supervisor or unfair agency action regarding your pay or employment status. A qualified federal employment lawyer can help you understand exactly what it will take to resolve your situation. This empathy and attention, in turn, can help you concentrate better at work, focus on your family, and plan financially to accommodate for future.
- Benefit from experience. An experienced Title 38 attorney likely has handled dozens, if not hundreds, of similar cases. Why reinvent the wheel? Having a solid team support you – answer your questions, secure documents and evidence, and develop a coherent strategic approach — can be invaluable in terms of your peace of mind.
Contact a Qualified VA Attorney Today for the Insight You Need
The Pines Federal team would like to learn what happened at your federal workplace, emergency room or office and develop a systematic approach to obtain justice and results, so you can return to the more important of caring for patients. Please call us for a confidential consultation.
Eric L. Pines is a nationally recognized federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach. He represents federal employees and acts as in-house counsel for over fifty thousand federal employees through his work as a federal employee labor union representative.
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