Discrimination lawyers do many things to help their clients fight back against unfair employment practices. Their services may include:
- Helping clients understand their rights and their legal options
- Researching instances of discrimination and collecting evidence in defense of their clients
- Filing discrimination lawsuits
- Managing all communications, deadlines, and paperwork for their clients
- Calculating the financial value of their client’s discrimination case
You might have a claim for compensation if you were discriminated against because of your race, color, nationality, gender, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, or sexual orientation. You may want to discuss your potential claim with a law firm that handles discrimination cases to define the parameters of your claim and your potential right to financial recovery.
Types of Discrimination
Discrimination can take on many forms that can have a negative impact on your career. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), federal law prohibits discrimination based on:
- Race/Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Age
- Sex
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
- Genetic information
In a general sense, treating an applicant or worker unfavorably because of these categories may qualify as discrimination. Some specific examples of discrimination may include:
- Harassing someone or making offensive remarks about their nation origin
- Refusing to make reasonable adjustments that allow an employee to perform their duties and practice their religion
- Having policies in place that negatively impact employees over the age of 40
- Refusing to provide reasonable accommodations to a disabled employee that allows them to perform their duties
- Demoting a woman based on pregnancy or on a medical condition related to her pregnancy
- Making hiring and firing decisions based solely on someone’s sexual preferences
If you were discriminated against, you may have the right to pursue the responsible party for compensation. A lawyer may be able to help you understand what federal and state discrimination laws apply to your case.
Determining if You Have a Discrimination Case
On your own, defining discrimination can be tricky. While the law does allow you to hold your employer responsible for certain discriminatory actions against you, doing so may require proof of discrimination and its negative effect on you.
You might have a case for compensation if you were the victim of actions such as refusing to hire you, creating a hostile work environment, refusing to make reasonable accommodations, firing you, demoting you, and more.
You do not have to fight for your rights without help. A lawyer in your area might be able to help guide you through the process, defend your rights, and fight for compensation on your behalf.
The Law May Be on Your Side
The laws of New York state protect workers from unfair treatment, discriminatory practices, and various forms of harassment at work. According to the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR), New York law prohibits harassment based on protected classes. The following may qualify as forms of harassment:
- Inferior terms of employment
- Inferior conditions of employment
- Inferior privileges of employment
You do not have to warn or otherwise notify your employer of your intent to seek compensation for discrimination or harassment, according to the DHR. You might also be able to seek punitive damages and payment of your lawyer’s fees as part of a financial recovery in an employment insurance claim or lawsuit.
Workplace Discrimination Can Take a Toll
While the damage of workplace discrimination is often financial, especially if the discrimination costs you your job, it can also have other negative consequences. Discrimination can leave you feeling alone, depressed, and sad.
You may be able to recover compensation for damages that address these consequences, such as pain and suffering, in a discrimination lawsuit. When you work with a lawyer on your case, make sure you share with them the full financial, emotional, and psychological impact of discrimination and the toll it has taken on your career and on your life.
Call Morelli Law Firm for a Free Case Review
If you were discriminated against in New York and are considering legal action against your employer, Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you. We handle workplace discrimination lawsuits on behalf of our clients in New York City, on Long Island, and in New York State up to Albany.
Do not let intimidation or fear of retaliation hold you back. Morelli Law Firm may be able to communicate with your employer and their insurance company or attorneys on your behalf when we represent you.
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. We can explain what our discrimination lawyers may be able to do for you as part of this call.