How much can you sue for discrimination will vary from plaintiff to plaintiff and from lawsuit to lawsuit. Your lawyer may help you determine the value of your specific discrimination case. You might be able to recover damages through a discrimination lawsuit if you suffered losses as a consequence of the discrimination.
If you are facing discrimination, filing a complaint or lawsuit may be one method for you to take back control of your life. Do not hesitate to discuss the discrimination you experienced with a lawyer so that they can help you fight for the financial compensation you might be eligible to receive.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Regulates Discrimination Complaints
A lawyer in your area may be familiar with discrimination law and may explain which laws might apply to your case. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulates how discrimination complaints and lawsuits should be processed.
Prior to filing a discrimination complaint, you are required to file a charge against your employer with the EEOC. The EEOC will supply you with a Notice of Right to Sue at the conclusion of its own investigation. Once received, you may file a federal court case against your employer.
From the day you receive the Notice of Right to Sue, you have 90 days to file your lawsuit. Certain restrictions regarding age and equal pay complaints may affect the filing deadline. Your lawyer may be able to help you understand the complexities of the timeline and how it applies to your case.
Your Lawyer Can Review Your Discrimination Complaint
Fighting back against discrimination can take a big toll. The steps you must follow and the actions you must take can be complex, challenging, and time-consuming. Navigating this intensive process on your own can also be stressful.
When you work with a discrimination lawyer in New York, they may help you understand how the complaints process works and provide guidance at each step. Your lawyer or their legal team may:
- Interview you to understand how discrimination affected your job
- Request paperwork, including employment contracts and salary history
- Regularly update you on your claim as it progresses
- Fight for the best possible financial outcome of your case
In some discrimination cases, you might be able to receive punitive damages based on federal standards under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Your lawyer will let you know if these special types of damages apply to your complaint. Also, if you are a federal employee, your lawyer may explain other special circumstances that surround your discrimination lawsuit, depending on what your case entails.
Types of Employment Discrimination
If you were a victim of unfair hiring, firing, or other forms of discrimination at work, you might have the basis of a discrimination complaint or lawsuit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lists the following as types of discrimination you might experience at work:
- Age
- Sex
- Disability, whether physical or mental
- Race or color of skin
- National origin
- Equal Pay/Compensation
- Genetic information
- Religion
- Pregnancy
- Harassment
- Sexual Harassment
- Retaliation
Being the victim of workplace discrimination can derail an otherwise thriving career. It might also leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and unsure of where to turn next. Rather than act on those feelings, call a local law firm to discuss your case and see what your legal options might be. A lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf.
Discrimination Is on the Rise
It can be easy to feel alone when you are victimized at work. If your employer treated you unfairly, created or fostered an unbearable working environment, or otherwise discriminated against you, you are not alone. According to the EEOC, there were 72,675 reports of workplace discrimination in 2019. The five most commonly reported forms of discrimination included:
- Retaliation (39,110 reported cases)
- Disability (24,238 reported cases)
- Race (23,976 reported cases)
- Sex (23,532 reported cases)
- Age (15,573 reported cases)
You may be eligible to file a discrimination complaint if an employer refused to hire you or created a hostile work environment because of their discriminatory beliefs. Call a law firm if you have faced discrimination because of your race, color, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, age, disability, or any other protected class defined by the EEOC.
Morelli Law Firm Takes Your Rights Seriously
Your right to fair treatment is important. No one should take away your right to work in a safe environment free from all forms of harassment. If your employer failed to stop discrimination or harassment at your job, you might have the basis for a discrimination complaint or lawsuit.
Find out how much you can sue for discrimination at work if it derailed your career. Contact the client intake team at Morelli Law Firm by calling (212) 751-9800 today.