The Federal Court in a decision dated 19.11.2008, IV ZR 305/07, commented on the long disputed question of whether a legal expenses insurance, which includes the labor rights protection, already then reimburse the legal costs shall, unless the policyholder shall give notice of his employer's receipt of a lawyer help.
According to the Supreme Court, legal expenses insurers are entering charge even at a threat of termination of the employer, and although it can if the insured worker make circumstances under which a violation of the employer is close. This may be the case if the employer threatened the employee with a dismissal for operational reasons, if he did not voluntarily sign a termination agreement, without him to provide information on the social criteria. This to the affected workers give no indication of whether he actually has to reckon with for operational reasons, notice of termination of employment. To that extent, in the opinion of the Supreme Court in such a threat of termination, breach of a duty of care are by employers, which entitles employees even before receiving a notice, consult a lawyer to pay the legal expenses insurance policy.