Fullerton Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Though many people think of sexual harassment as an antiquated problem, it remains a serious issue in modern workplaces. Every year, thousands of people of all genders suffer from workplace sexual harassment. This can lead to major issues for employees and employers alike.

Your place of work should allow you to focus on your job. If you feel as though you must act a certain way, avoid certain people, or hide parts of yourself, you may be working in a toxic work environment where sexual harassment is tolerated. Though your situation may feel helpless or intimidating, there are steps you can take to improve your workplace.

With the help of a licensed sexual harassment attorney, you can bring an end to harassment in the workplace and ensure that the office is a safe space for you and your fellow employees.

The Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams: Your Fullerton Sexual Harassment Lawyers

If you are looking for lawyers in the field of employment law, discrimination, or sexual harassment, you will not find better support than our team at the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams. For over 20 years, our team has been fighting discrimination, harassment, and abuse in the workplace. We have served hundreds of individuals with workplace sexual harassment claims and had great success bringing them to justice. We are the top employment lawyers in Fullerton, and we are your best resource for fighting your case.

Though we are tenacious and precise in the courtroom, we are compassionate and empathetic with our clients. We understand how difficult and sensitive these cases are, and we do everything in our power to approach them with care. You can share your story freely with our team, and we will listen without judgment or criticism. We are here to help you bring an end to your toxic work environment.

What Is a Workplace Sexual Harassment Case?

Though many people have heard about workplace sexual harassment, some do not understand what it means. There are a wide range of behaviors that fit under the sexual harassment umbrella, but all of them are a type of discrimination or negative treatment based on a person’s gender or sexuality. Examples of workplace sexual harassment include:

• Sexual jokes, comments, or slurs
• Unwanted touches
• Performing suggestive gestures or leering
• Showing inappropriate materials, photos, text, etc.
• Sending sexually explicit emails, texts, or other messages that are unwelcome or unwanted

There are other behaviors that fit under the umbrella of sexual harassment as well. In general, sexual harassment can be divided into three distinct categories:

• Verbal
• Physical
• Visual

However, any sexually explicit behavior that is unwanted may be considered sexual harassment. If you believe that you are experiencing sexual harassment at work, it is important to contact an attorney.

A workplace sexual harassment case occurs when an employee takes their employer to court for failing to protect them from sexual harassment.

Why Do I Need a Sexual Harassment Attorney?

Workplace protocol for sexual harassment can vary widely. Some workplaces have a human resources department that can handle these kinds of cases. Other workplaces do not have this same kind of support and do not approach sexual harassment with urgency. For this reason, it is important to protect yourself by hiring a qualified attorney to help you with your sexual harassment case. With the help of an attorney, you can be sure that your sexual harassment claim gets the attention it deserves.

It is also important to note that some workplaces try to fire or demote individuals after they file a sexual harassment claim or come forward about their experiences. This is completely illegal, but it occurs fairly frequently nonetheless. When you have an experienced attorney on your side, you can combat any retaliatory action that your workplace may take after you file your claim. This can help you to keep your job and ensure that your employer follows the law.

Proving Sexual Harassment

If your workplace fails to protect you against predatory sexual harassment behaviors, you can take them to court. However, to win your case, you must prove that sexual harassment has occurred. This can be difficult to do, depending on your individual situation.

There are two points that your attorney must prove in your sexual harassment case. First, they must prove that the sexual harassment or sexual activity occurred. Retaining any emails, messages, voicemails, memos, or other documentation about the offenses can help your attorney to prove this in court. Though you may think that the behavior was obvious, your opponent’s attorney will work hard to suggest that the activity did not happen or was a misunderstanding. The more evidence that you have, the more difficult it is for your opponent to win.

Secondly, your attorney must prove that the activity was unwanted or unwelcome. This is what makes the activity harassment rather than an office relationship or friendship. Documentation of you rejecting the activity, bringing the activity to HR, or avoiding the perpetrator can help to show the court that the activity was not welcome by you.

Settlements and Damages

If you win your sexual harassment case, you can recover damages in the form of a settlement. This settlement should account for the following:

• Lost compensation
• Attorney fees
• Suffering or emotional distress
• Interest

For this reason, the settlement from a sexual harassment case can vary in size and amount. Winning your case also means that you will once again have a safe working environment. What’s more, some people also fight for wrongful termination settlements if they were fired or demoted because of a sexual harassment case. Your damages will depend upon your unique situation.

FAQs

Q: Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a sexual harassment claim?

A: No. There are strict laws that protect employees from retaliation following a sexual harassment claim. You cannot be demoted, fired, passed over for opportunities, ignored, or harassed because of your claim. This is the case whether or not you won. If your employer begins to treat you differently following a sexual harassment claim, you may have grounds to press further charges. Using an attorney throughout the entire process can help you to navigate this situation if it arises.

Q: I had an intimate relationship with a co-worker but broke it off. If that co-worker harasses me, can I still bring a claim for sexual harassment?

A: Yes. Any unwanted sexual activity is considered harassment, regardless of your relationship with the person. If you have broken off your relationship and are clear that it has ended, your co-worker must respect your boundaries and discontinue any sexual activity. If they are upset with you, they are still expected to follow all laws and rules in the workplace. Repeatedly talking about your relationship or harassing you in any way is not acceptable.

Q: Is sexual harassment ever a criminal matter?

A: Sexual harassment can be considered a criminal matter if a crime was committed as part of the harassment. For example, if rape is involved, a workplace sexual harassment case could be considered criminal because rape is a criminal act. In most situations, however, sexual harassment cases are considered civil, as you are bringing charges toward another individual or business rather than the government doing so.

Q: Do the victim and perpetrator have to be of the opposite sex?

A: No. If the victim and perpetrator are of the same sex, the actions are still considered harassment if they are unwelcome. Gender does not matter in sexual harassment cases. Any gender can commit harassment, and any gender can be the victim of it. The process for filing a charge against a person of the same sex is the same, and the settlement considerations are the same as well.

Q: How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim?

A: The statute of limitations for a sexual harassment claim in the state of California is three years. The law takes into account the complexity of these cases and the fact that victims cannot always come forward right away. However, just because you have three years does not mean that you should wait. It is best to act sooner rather than later, as evidence can be lost, and the case can be harder to prove.

Contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams

Our team at the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams has been fighting workplace sexual harassment cases for many years. We understand the challenges that occur in these cases and how to navigate the court system with care and precision. Our expertise is unmatched in the area, meaning that we can give you the best possible support and advice throughout your Fullerton sexual harassment case. No one deserves to be harassed or abused in the workplace. Your work should be somewhere where you can feel safe, productive, and focused. Sexual harassment creates a toxic environment for everyone, and our team is here to combat that.

For more information on how we can help you, contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams today.