Employment discrimination violates New Jersey and federal labor laws and should not be tolerated in the workplace. If you are a victim of discrimination because of your sex, race, color, age, disability, or religious affiliation, you may be eligible for compensatory damages.
An employment discrimination lawyer in Jersey City from the Morelli Law Firm may be able to represent you in this matter. They can provide full legal service for victims of discrimination. Speak with us in a free case evaluation and we’ll see how we can help you.
NJ Employment Discrimination Attorneys Handle Many Types of Cases
Our firm represents victims of employment discrimination. We have experience working with clients in a variety of discriminatory situations, including these examples:
- Hiring and firing
- Promotions, transfers, or job assignments
- Demotions
- Pay inequality
- Harassment
- Denial of facilities or accommodations
- Employer retaliation
Regardless of how complex your situation is, you can find legal representation that will fight for you and protect your rights. During a consultation, our employment discrimination lawyers in Jersey City can learn specifically what type of discrimination you faced and how we can help you.
Understanding Employer or Workplace Discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal legislation that bans various forms of workplace discrimination. Employment discrimination is making an unfavorable distinction toward a person based on a specified category, class, or group that affects their employment opportunities.
An employer, coworker, or boss may refuse to provide a discrimination victim with job offers, pay, benefits, or career advancement, hindering their ability to succeed in the workplace. Discrimination can affect different people based on characteristics such as:
- Sex
- Age
- Religion
- National origin
- Race/color
- Disability
To win these types of cases, your attorney may need to prove that you were denied an employment opportunity based on an unfavorable distinction against you, and not on your inability to perform a job.
Jersey City Employment Discrimination Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Protect Your Civil Rights
Employment discrimination is one of the battlegrounds of civil rights legislation. One of the fundamental laws is the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination for several classes, including race, sex, color, national origin, and religion. The EEOC was created to enforce this law.
Later laws, like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), protected people from age-related discrimination and disability discrimination, respectively. As new classes of discrimination appear, more laws are added, like the one in 2008 that protects people against discrimination based on genetic information.
Differences in hiring, pay, and promotion should be based solely on the capabilities, training, education, and merits of the individual, and not because of their class. If the EEOC determines you have a case, you can proceed with a lawsuit with the help of our employment discrimination lawyers.
Workers’ Protection Under New Jersey Anti-Discrimination Law
Whether you are applying for a job, are currently employed, or have been recently fired from a job, you have the right to explore your legal options and file a claim if you have been discriminated against. Individuals protected by anti-discrimination laws in the U.S. and New Jersey include:
Employees
If you are (or were) an employee when you faced discrimination, you’re eligible to file a claim. You do not have to quit your job or take an extended leave to file a claim.
Job Applicants
It may be difficult to prove discrimination when applying for a job. However, many law firms can investigate the case and look at the company’s employment practices. There may be evidence that demonstrates you were discriminated against.
Temporary Employees
A Jersey City employment discrimination attorney may be able to hold both the employer and the temp agency liable for discrimination against temporary employees if the evidence is found.
Unpaid Interns
You may feel that you were discriminated against during your time with a company as an intern. Even if your position was strictly voluntary, you can still receive compensation for damages if you were treated unfairly.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to in an Employment Discrimination Case
What you may be awarded in an employment discrimination case depends on the circumstances of the discrimination, which parties are liable, and the extent of your damages. A Jersey City employment discrimination lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you recover any of the following:
Back Pay
You may have lost wages, benefits, or other forms of income as a result of discrimination. The amount you are awarded may be based on what you may have missed out on from the date of the discriminatory act until your case is settled.
Future Lost Earnings
Your future salary or lost wages could also be impacted. As a result, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your future lost earnings based on the circumstances of your ability to get another job.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refers to the emotional stress or trauma you experienced. For example, you may have received treatment for clinical anxiety or depression from a mental health specialist as a result of the discrimination.
An employment discrimination lawyer can examine and produce evidence of your damages when they represent you.
Can I Return to My Old Position After a Discrimination Case?
You may have a long history of working for a company and don’t want to burn old bridges, yet still wish to seek compensation. There are ways you can receive extra-legal protection against retaliation for filing a lawsuit against your old employer.
Many people do choose to move on, and you may need to be watchful that your old company doesn’t try to hunt for an excuse to fire you after you return. Your lawyer can help you detect signs of possible retaliation and, if necessary, file another complaint with the EEOC over those actions.
Deadlines for Employment Discrimination Cases
If you experienced discrimination in the workplace, you must file with a New Jersey or federal agency before your case is taken to court. The deadlines are as follows:
- If you file a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, you must file within 180 days of the act of discrimination.
- If you file a federal claim with the EEOC in New Jersey, you have up to 300 days to submit the claim.
Your employment discrimination attorney in Jersey City can help you submit your claim by the mandated legal timeframe. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your eligibility to collect compensation.
An Employment Discrimination Lawyer in Jersey City Can Help You Win
An experienced employment discrimination lawyer in Jersey City can plead your case and take the pressure of legal work off of you. Some ways an attorney can help you include:
- Collect evidence
- Speak with coworkers who could attest to your case
- Define the damages you qualify for and total them up
- Take care of the paperwork and communications associated with your lawsuit
- Negotiate with your employer’s insurance company
- Represent you in court if your case does not settle
If you have financial concerns about hiring a lawyer, many law firms work on a contingency-fee-basis. These firms only collect their attorney’s fees if you win your case.
How to File a Discrimination Claim in Jersey City
If you have faced discrimination in your workplace, you or a legal representative can file a claim with the EEOC. If they accept your claim, they will attempt to remedy the situation. However, if your claim is dismissed, or you feel their solution is not sufficient, you have the right to pursue things in court. Your attorney will then prepare you for a judge and jury.
If the EEOC has issued you a “Notice of Right to Sue” letter, you must file your claim in federal or state court within 90 days. It is important to get in contact with an experienced Jersey City attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Morelli Law Firm Today
Anti-discrimination laws ensure that employers treat you fairly and provide equal career opportunities. If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, a Jersey City employment discrimination lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to represent you.
To find out more about your legal options, call our office today to get a free case evaluation with a member of our team.