Lost_Highway_1070's journey

I'm currently in the process of negotiating my severance package after being laid off from my position at a tech company. I've been considering hiring a lawyer who charges a $5000 retainer for employment cases, but I'm unsure if it's worth the investment. I've seen mixed opinions on whether legal representation is necessary, especially since I don't have a contract and my situation doesn't seem to involve any discrimination or protected class issues. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through this process and whether hiring a lawyer made a significant difference in their outcome.

I recently got laid off from my position as an oil and gas operator after three years with the company, although I have a total of 18 years in the industry. The layoff was part of a restructuring effort. I'm trying to understand what a standard severance package looks like for someone in my role. Additionally, I'm curious if companies typically offer a pro-rated bonus as part of the package. Any insights or experiences from others in the industry would be greatly appreciated.