If you have dealt with employment discrimination, then you know the emotional and financial damage it can do. If you are in this situation, you may feel stuck with no options. However, you can reclaim any financial losses you have already incurred with the help of an employment discrimination lawyer in Philadelphia.
You will find comfort and security working with our law firm. We take on the companies and corporations who engage in discriminatory practices. Our team of attorneys has the legal knowledge and tools to ensure you can recover from your losses.
Can You Sue Your Employer in PA for Discrimination?
When faced with employment discrimination, you may feel feel anxious, worried about your future, and stressed over finances. You may also worry about retaliation if you say anything. However, you do have options for recourse. If you are considering suing your employer, you may be able to do so.
First, you must file a formal complaint with a state or federal agency. The agency you file with will investigate your claim and give permission to move forward with your lawsuit. You only have 180 days to file your claim. It may be helpful to contact a Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyer for a consultation about the validity of your case and how to proceed.
How Much Can You Sue for Discrimination at Work?
If you are discriminated against by your employer, you may lose job offerings, promotions, loss of benefits, or other perks that come with employment. How much you can sue for discrimination at work will depend on your losses and the size of your employer.
Businesses with fewer employees will have smaller limits on the damages you can recover. For example, if you work for a company with as few as 15 employees, damages are limited to $50,000. However, a company with more than 500 employees will have a limit as high as $300,000.
Philadelphia Employment Discrimination Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What Is Needed for a Discrimination Lawsuit?
To get started, you can make your supervisor or boss aware of the situation and give your employer a chance to correct it. If no action is taken, you can file a formal complaint to initiate a lawsuit. In order to successfully pursue an employment discrimination lawsuit, you will need to follow the proper procedure and build a strong case.
The lawsuit must be related to discrimination against a federally protected group. Your case will be investigated for validity so you will need evidence to support your claim. Your lawyer can ensure you file all the necessary paperwork, nothing vital is left out, and all deadlines are met.
Who Is Protected From Employment Discrimination?
From the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from being discriminated against. Some of the forms of discrimination that the law protects workers against include:
- Age
- Disability
- Equal pay
- Genetic information
- National origin
- Pregnancy
- Race/Color
- Religion
- Retaliation
- Sex/Gender
Employment discrimination is unlawful, but sadly, it still occurs in the workplace. The results are devastating for those who are affected. Your employment discrimination attorney in Philadelphia can help you determine the best course of action to take.
Types of Employment Discrimination
Some employers may attempt to hide employment discrimination. They may not be as blatant about it as others. When examining the behavior of the employer or supervisor, you will begin to see patterns emerging. Some of the ways that employers may practice employment discrimination include:
- Wrongful termination
- Denial of company benefits
- Losing shift work
- Denial of disability pay or maternity leave
- Refusal of retirement options
- Showing preferential treatment to others
- Excluding people from the interview process for hiring
Sometimes the discrimination comes in the form of how you are treated. The employer may make insulting, rude, or hurtful comments toward you because of your age, sex, or race. This behavior can cause emotional trauma and create a hostile working environment. You may even feel forced to quit because of the stress and anxiety of the workplace.
If your employer is engaging in employment discrimination in any way, then you can get help from a Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyer.
Laws Concerning Employment Discrimination
In addition to the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act also prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. In addition, amendments made way for the recovery of compensatory and punitive damages. The law is on your side if you are discriminated against in Philadelphia.
Filing an Employment Discrimination Claim
When you face employment discrimination, it may come as a shock and make you feel confused or angry. You have the right to file a claim with either the EEOC or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). These entities grant permission to move forward with a legal suit to recover damages.
Your team of Philadelphia employment discrimination attorneys will help prepare your case by doing the following:
- Investigating the evidence and build a case
- Interviewing witnesses
- Calculating damages from lost wages
- Filing paperwork
- Handling the negotiations for a fair settlement
- Gathering the evidence for a court trial, if necessary
With the aid of a lawyer, you may be well on your way to recovering your lost monetary damages. Once you have been vindicated, you can expect a huge weight to be lifted off your shoulders.
Recoverable Damages From Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination always results in financial losses. The losses you can recover include:
- Lost income, including back pay and front pay
- Punitive damages
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Monetary damages from lost benefits
- Attorney’s fees
Although you may be dealing with anxiety, fear, and stress right now due to discrimination, our team of employment discrimination lawyers in Philadelphia will be by your side every step of the way.
Work With a Philadelphia Employment Discrimination Lawyer
At Morelli Law Firm, our Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyers are ready to help you. We can start with a free, no-obligation consultation. We will use every resource we have to see that justice is served.
Discrimination in the workplace should never be tolerated. If you’re a victim, we can help. Let us protect your rights as we guide you through your claim.