Did you know you can sue your employer if you’ve been sexually harassed or been the victim of sexual discrimination? Morelli Law can help you get compensation for what you’ve experienced. You don’t have to take sexual harassment, and we can help you punish those who harmed you.
We have experienced sexual harassment lawyers ready to hear your story and fight for justice. Our personal injury lawyers in St. Charles has helped victims receive large settlements and win against some of the biggest corporations in America. If you live in St. Charles, we’re ready to help you.
Unlawful Sexual Harassment
There are both federal and state laws against sexual harassment, and your case could qualify for a lawsuit under both sets of laws. But, you may be confused about your legal options and how to proceed with a claim.
Visual, audio, and physical acts can all fall under sexually harassing behavior, and all may be punishable under your company’s sexual harassment policies. The law is particularly interested where:
- The harassment comes with a threat of punishment if you don’t comply, or a promise of benefits if you do (quid pro quo)
- The harassment makes it difficult for you to do your job duties (hostile work environment)
- If you get punished by your employer for making a sexual harassment complaint (retaliation)
The best way to learn your legal options is to speak with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer. Morelli Law has helped victims in St. Charles file formal complaints and pursue damages against Missouri employers who do not protect their employees.
Gender Harassment
Gender harassment is a form of sexual harassment, but it can be more subtle than standard sexual harassment. However, gender is still a protected class. As more people come out as transgender or genderqueer, employers must take measures to prevent:
- Someone assaulting or interfering with a person because they don’t agree with their gender.
- Insulting someone based on their gender
- Commenting or verbally provoking someone for their gender choices, especially if you have asked the offender to stop.
- Displaying material that’s offensive to a particular gender
How a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Can Help You
Creating a strong sexual harassment claim can be difficult, especially if you’re still working for the same employer. You can get help from a lawyer to guide you through the process of filing a complaint. We can advise you on:
- What your legal options are and how to pursue them
- How to report the harassment to management, and HR
- How to respond to the harasser
- How to deal with any retaliatory action by your employer
If we find you may be owed damages for what you’ve experienced, we’ll calculate the damages and handle all the negotiations as well. We can also represent you in court if your case needs to go to trial.
Morelli Law will launch an independent investigation to get the evidence we need to prove your claim. It’s likely we may uncover other victims of sexual harassment. If we can show a pattern of inappropriate behavior against you or against others, you’ll have a strong case.
St. Charles Sexual Harassment Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What Compensation Could I Receive From a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit?
There are many costs you may incur because of the sexual harassment or gender discrimination you’ve experienced. You could receive payment for:
- Back and front pay if you were fired or pushed to resign
- Medical bills
- Reputational harm
- Career counseling
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Punitive damages
The Missouri Human Rights Act is the state law for sexual harassment cases in St. Charles. Punitive damages in this state may not exceed five times the net amount of judgment awarded to the plaintiff or $500,000, whichever is greater. Attorney fees are part of the net amount.
There are also caps on the total amount of damages you can receive depending on the number of employees at your workplace. To understand how state and federal caps may affect your compensation amount, speak with our sexual harassment lawyers in St. Charles.
Should I Fear Retaliation?
Retaliation is punishment given by your employer to you because you filed a complaint about your harassment. This is an illegal act, but some employers try to find excuses to punish people who report harassment.
You shouldn’t fear it, but you should be prepared for it to happen. If you have one of our St. Charles sexual harassment lawyers working with you, we can identify whether you’re facing retaliation and reach out to your employer to stop the behavior.
If they persist, you may be eligible for additional damages and your employer may face heavy scrutiny from regulators. Retaliation shows they want to hide something, but we won’t let them hide their unacceptable behavior. Employers that protect harassers must be punished.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sexual Harassment Claim in Missouri?
Under Missouri Law, you have to start your sexual harassment claim within five years of the incident. However, judging when that clock starts can be hard. Is it from the first harassing act, or the last one? What if you were unaware of what was happening?
These are important questions because once the deadline passes you cannot claim compensation. It’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to get legal clarity about your situation and learn how to proceed with your case.
Our attorneys can determine which acts still fall within the statute of limitations and will work swiftly to file the paperwork with the court so you don’t lose your chance at compensation. Reach out to Morelli Law for help if you’re unsure if you can still file a claim.
Contact Our St. Charles Sexual Harassment Lawyers for Help
We know the damaging effects of sexual harassment, and we’ve seen the healing that victims experience when they hold their abusers accountable through a lawsuit. Let us help you find closure and compensation so you can move on with your life.
If you’ve faced sexual harassment or sexual discrimination, take legal action. Contact Morelli Law and speak with our attorneys. We will protect your rights and help you pursue compensation for your losses. Call us at the number on the screen or email us through our contact page to schedule a free consultation.