We have “juridisch loket” over here in .NL which is advices people on legal matters for free. Especially common for housing and/or employment issues, but they deal with anything.

It’s not unlikely the employee from the article used their services, even if just initially.

I would call any legal system making it practically impossible to sue without a lawyer a failure. But even if using professional help is recommended, it doesn’t have to be expensive - you can use legal insurance to cover majority of the costs.

Europe doesn't have case law, the law is written and codified so once you finish law school you have all the laws memorized. The judge can only apply specific paragraph of the law not create new ones. 1k is cheap yes, 5k would in such case be more reasonable to expect if you're in a similar situation if you go with a lawyer (depending on firm and location i.e. lawyer in big city vs provincial town)

I assume he did it without a lawyer. I know in Australia we have forums where you can represent yourself in these low level workers rights cases.

He spent time himself researching the law and going through the process, but he can't claim for that

In the article it says that the (compensation awarded for) legal fees were 585 euros

I don't think that the trial decision in a foreign court is binding in US courts. The US court will not enforce them because they are completely different jurisdictions

Juppor is talking about suing in Florida courts. Florida is absolutely at will. He may be able to sue to collect a foreign court judgement instead, but it is notoriously difficult to collect judgments, even us Court judgments, if the other party stonewalls you