My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: California
I was on family leave due to a disability for the allotted 3 months, but when it came time to go back to work my doctor felt I was not ready. My employer sent me a letter immediately telling me that I was terminated if I couldn't come back to work. I spoke to my HR rep and explained that I medically could not go back and thus my employment with them was terminated. (According to the EDD I quit with good reason--Insurance code 1256) All was fine until I stopped receiving disability payments.
Once I was OK to start working again I filed for unemployment (until I get a new job) and the EDD approved with no problems. However, I am now being notified that my ex-employer is appealing the decision. This company is very well known, with many lawyers, and has a history of appealing unemployment cases.
What am up against? I can't afford an attorney. Am I entitled to know why they appealed the decision before the hearing?
One thing I am worried about is that I didn't call until I received the notice of termination. I got my days mixed (thinking I was to report to work the following week) and thus didn't call ahead of time. Will this affect me?!
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

