When you are sexually harassed at work, it can affect nearly every area of your life. You may become a target of your aggressor, miss out on career opportunities, or worry that your anonymity may be compromised. You may also face retaliation from your employer if you report harassment.
If you have been sexually harassed, you may wonder what steps to take to protect yourself and what you can do to make it stop. A sexual harassment lawyer in Jersey City at Morelli Law Firm may be able to defend your rights. Your attorney will be committed to seeing that justice is served in your case.
A Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights While Defending Your Case
Many law firms provide comprehensive legal services that can cover all aspects of your sexual harassment case. These services include:
- Investigating your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Obtaining evidence of sexual harassment
- Managing and filing your claim
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- Presenting your case to a judge/jury
A lawyer can discuss your case at length, answer your questions, and address any concerns you have moving forward. It can be difficult to submit a claim and go through litigation. Therefore, your attorney will be prepared to manage your case and confront all liable parties on your behalf when they represent you.
Sexual Harassment Legislation in New Jersey
Sexual harassment laws exist at multiple levels of government. Those who engage in this form of provocation may face civil and criminal charges. According to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, sexual harassment includes:
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Requests for sexual relations
- Inappropriate physical conduct
- Inappropriate sexual conduct
- Quid pro quo harassment
- Sexual coercion or threats
- Favors in the hopes of getting sexual favors in return
An individual or group that commits these acts may be liable for compensating you. Keep in mind that not all workplace harassment violates New Jersey law. A legal team can discuss your situation and help you determine if you have a case.
Jersey City Sexual Harassment Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
The Three Facets of Workplace Sexual Harassment
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) typically uses a framework with three factors to determine whether actions should be considered discriminatory sexual harassment. These three questions are used as benchmarks when determining the validity of legal claims:
- Did you tolerate the harassment out of fear of losing your job or in an attempt to obtain a job/promotion?
- Did the harassment extend so far as to create an unsafe, hostile work environment?
- Did the harassment occur as a response or retaliation to you filing or supporting a complaint?
If the answer to any of those questions is “yes,” it’s likely that you can bring a sexual harassment claim to court. Speak with our Jersey City sexual harassment legal team to decide on what your next steps should be to protect your rights and fight for compensation.
Steps to Take If You Have Been Sexually Harassed
Like any other civil case, your first few steps after an instance of sexual harassment may impact the success of your claim. Here are some steps you can take to build your case:
Document All Instances of Sexual Harassment
If someone acts inappropriately toward you, write down the name of the person, time, date, location, and details of the event. Keep the information confidential and put it in a safe place outside of work. Documenting the event can help your attorney build your case.
Consult a Jersey City Sexual Harassment Law Firm
You may feel that you need to report the incident to your employer first. However, you may want to get legal advice from a law firm that handles sexual harassment cases before you proceed. A Jersey City sexual harassment attorney can guide you through the process and help you avoid making mistakes.
Report Harassment to Your Employer
Make sure you understand your company’s policies and procedures before you report any incident of sexual harassment to your employer. In addition, you will want to submit a written statement, not just a verbal statement.
Report Your Sexual Harassment Claim to a Government Agency
When you report sexual harassment to your employer, they are required to take some type of action. However, if they fail to do anything about your situation, you may file a complaint with a government agency.
You may want to start with filing a complaint with the Division on Civil Rights in New Jersey or with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). A lawyer can assist you with this process.
Damages You Can Recover From a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
There are several factors that determine how much you may be awarded in a sexual harassment case. Factors may include the nature of the incident, who was involved, how your employer responded, and the extent of your losses. Damages you may be able to recover include:
- Reimbursement for denial of employment opportunities
- Reinstatement of your job, if applicable
- Future pay if you were fired from your job
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages if your employer failed to act
You may also be able to recover any out-of-pocket expenses or financial losses you incurred as a result of being harassed.
Who Can You Sue in a Jersey City Sexual Harassment Claim?
If you have been sexually harassed in the workplace, there are several parties who may be responsible, legally, for providing you with compensation. The most obvious is the individual or group of individuals who performed the unwanted and unlawful act or acts.
However, you may also be able to sue your employer. This is especially true if you followed the employer’s sexual harassment policy when filing complaints, brought the events to their attention, and they still did not take action to ensure that your workplace was safe and non-hostile.
You can also sue your employer if they retaliate against you for filing a complaint about sexual harassment. If you are the party who is mistreated or received punishment after formally complaining about harassment, get in touch with a sexual harassment attorney in Jersey City to see whether your case qualifies for a lawsuit.
Remember: it is an employer’s legal obligation to create and sustain a workplace that is non-discriminatory and safe for all employees.
Evidence in a Sexual Harassment Claim in Jersey City
In many sexual harassment claims, the crux of the matter comes down to evidence. As your Jersey City sexual harassment attorneys, the lawyers at the Morelli Law Firm will work to secure and preserve as much evidence as possible to support your push for compensation.
Evidence we collect that may support your case include:
- Recordings of the event (photos of harassing messages, surveillance videos, etc.)
- Copies of your filed reports regarding repeated harassment
- Testimony from eyewitnesses and colleagues
- Your own testimony
- Any available medical records of injuries sustained due to harassment or assault
Employer Retaliation in a Jersey City Sexual Harassment Case
Employers do not always provide support and guidance after their employee has been harassed. They may not believe your story, refute your claim, or even try to cover it up to save the company’s reputation. In worst-case scenarios, your employer may have been involved in the harassment or retaliated against you for reporting it.
Employer retaliation is a valid reason to file a sexual harassment lawsuit. You do not have to feel intimidated or afraid to confront the company you work for. A Jersey City sexual harassment attorney can engage with your employer on your behalf so that you have the confidence you need to move forward with your case.
Your Lawyer Can Help You Heal From Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment cases present special considerations for the employee who was harassed. Your attorney should be sensitive to the complicated nature of your case. Experienced lawyers understand the anxiety and embarrassment that tend to accompany these situations.
By serving clients in a caring, empathetic manner, not just from a legal perspective, sexual harassment lawyers can ensure clients have referrals to specialists they may need in order to move on from such a difficult situation. Rest assured that your legal team will try to do everything they can to help you achieve a more complete recovery.
Costs of a Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Jersey City
Many law firms operate on a contingency-fee basis, requiring no upfront costs upon hire. Only if you win compensation for your case do you owe the law firm a fee. This takes the financial pressure off of you, especially if you have taken some time off from work or money is tight.
Upon settling or receiving a court award for your case, you can expect a sexual harassment lawyer’s fee in Jersey City to be roughly 33% of your total compensation. This amount can differ depending on if the case went to trial, if you filed a lawsuit, or if specialists were hired to investigate the incident and charges.
Call Morelli Law Firm for a FREE Consultation Today
You do not need to face the party responsible for sexually harassing you alone. A Jersey City sexual harassment lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to represent you. With a history of securing record-setting sexual harassment and assault verdicts, the legal team at Morelli Law knows how to fight for their clients. Call today to get started with a free case evaluation.