Huntington Beach Sexual Harassment Lawyer

It is an unfortunate reality that thousands of people across the United States experience sexual harassment in their workplaces. This behavior happens despite extensive federal and state-level legislation prohibiting sexual harassment in US workplaces and individual company policies against such behavior. When sexual harassment occurs, victims may be unaware of their options for legal recourse or how they can legally address their experiences. Many feel trapped by their circumstances, unwilling to confront managers or supervisors out of fear of losing their jobs.

If you have experienced any type of sexual harassment in your workplace, your employer is legally obligated to investigate the situation and resolve the matter as effectively as possible. However, some employees suffer sexual harassment from their employers, leaving them feeling as though they have nowhere to turn for help.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) of the United States is the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace discrimination and harassment laws in the US. When an employee has experienced any behavior that constitutes a violation of EEOC regulations, the employee must file a claim to the EEOC requesting a formal review. This is an essential first step for any sexual harassment claim in Huntington Beach, CA.

Why You Need a Huntington Beach Sexual Harassment Lawyer

The Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams have years of professional experience handling difficult employment law disputes in the Huntington Beach area, including sexual harassment claims. We understand the stress and uncertainty anyone is likely to experience after an incident of workplace sexual harassment, and our goal is to guide them through their cases as efficiently as possible.

An experienced Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer can help their client compile their EEOC claim and communicate with EEOC representatives on the client’s behalf. Once the EEOC delivers a ruling on the claim, the attorney will help the client take the next step toward ensuring accountability for their experiences. When you have the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams handling your sexual harassment claim, our team will assist you in making informed decisions about the direction of your case.

Ultimately, investing in the representation of a Huntington Beach sexual harassment attorney increases the claimant’s likelihood of success with their claim. Additionally, claimants entitled to compensation are more likely to maximize their case awards with the help of legal counsel. If you intend to take legal action in response to any kind of sexual harassment in Huntington Beach, a sexual harassment lawyer will make the process much easier to approach with confidence.

Benefits of Legal Representation in a Huntington Beach Sexual Harassment Claim

Your legal team can guide you through the preliminary stages of your sexual harassment claim, helping you file your claim to the EEOC and investigating your claimable damages. Many people who experience sexual harassment at work are unaware of the damages they can seek in their civil actions. One of the best benefits of legal counsel in a sexual harassment suit is uncovering every channel of compensation available to the plaintiff.

Experienced legal counsel will assist their client in gathering any evidence they need to substantiate their claim. This may involve talking to current and former employees with similar experiences to that of the claimant and securing copies of correspondence between the plaintiff and the defendant. Most sexual harassment cases require careful evaluation of the employer’s workplace policies and internal conflict resolution processes as well.

Hiring an experienced Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer significantly improves a claimant’s chances of winning their case and obtaining a suitable recovery. It’s essential for anyone who thinks they have grounds for a sexual harassment claim to seek reliable legal counsel as soon as possible.

Defining Sexual Harassment in California Employment Law

“Sexual harassment” is a relatively broad term that applies to any mistreatment or harassment in the workplace on the basis of the victim’s sex or sexual orientation. Some sexual harassment is physical, such as sexual battery, groping, or indecent exposure in the workplace. Other sexual harassment is more subtle but still damaging and disruptive to the victim, such as sexual commentary, unwelcome sexual advances from coworkers, or displays of pornographic images in shared workplaces. Some employees even face quid-pro-quo sexual harassment from their employers, who may offer job-related benefits in exchange for sexual favors or demand sexual favors under the threat of job-related penalties.

If you are unsure whether recent experiences in your workplace constitute sexual harassment, it’s vital to consult an attorney as soon as possible. Experienced legal counsel can help you determine if you have grounds for an EEOC claim and what kind of damages you can seek from the defendant. The sooner you hire an attorney to handle your case, the more likely you are to preserve necessary evidence and secure a successful outcome.

How to File a Sexual Harassment Claim in Huntington Beach, CA

Some employees who experience sexual harassment at work can resolve these issues through internal conflict resolution channels with their employers. While some employers consistently address these problems effectively for employees, others do not, and some even actively work against employees who experience sexual harassment or engage in harassment directly. Your sexual harassment claim will likely need to begin with an EEOC claim, and a Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer can help their client complete and submit this claim.

The EEOC can typically respond to claims of sexual harassment within 180 days. Once the EEOC has decided, they will issue a Notice of Right to Sue to the claimant, allowing them to take legal action against the defendant named in their claim. In extreme cases, the EEOC may initiate legal proceedings against a defendant on the claimant’s behalf.

After the claimant has the support of the EEOC behind their claim, they can proceed with their civil action against the defendant who sexually harassed them. Depending on the nature of the defendant’s actions, this may involve criminal prosecution of the defendant, and their criminal case could unfold in tandem with the civil claim from the victim.

The plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for any economic damages they suffered because of the sexual harassment they experienced, such as lost income and benefits, denied promotions, or restitution to their previous position. Additionally, most claimants have the right to seek liquidated or statutory damages to reflect the mistreatment they experienced. Some claimants can seek compensation for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and if they suffered any physical harm from the defendant they can also seek repayment of medical bills, mental health counseling, and other resulting damages.

The best way to recover as fully as possible from an incident of sexual harassment is to hire an experienced Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer to handle your case. The sooner you secure representation, the sooner you can have answers to your most pressing legal questions.

FAQs

Q: Is Sexual Harassment Discrimination Difficult to Prove?

A: No one should experience sexual harassment at work, but unfortunately many do and do not take legal action in response because they think they lack evidence. While it’s true that sexual harassment can be very difficult to prove, and many cases boil down to one party’s word against another’s, an experienced Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer can potentially help their client obtain evidence they may not have considered on their own.

Q: How Soon Should I Speak With a Lawyer After Experiencing Sexual Harassment at Work?

A: If you believe you have grounds for a sexual harassment claim in Huntington Beach, CA, it’s vital to speak with an experienced sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you secure legal counsel, the sooner your legal team can begin working on your case. Most sexual harassment claims involve protracted EEOC claim determinations prior to civil court proceedings, and a good attorney can guide their client through these matters efficiently.

Q: What Are the Penalties for Sexual Harassment at My Place of Employment?

A: Both individual offenders and their employers can face severe penalties for sexual harassment. Depending on the nature and severity of the individual offender’s actions, they could face criminal charges for sexual battery, indecent exposure, or other offenses that will require registration as a sex offender. Employees who sexually harass their coworkers can face prosecution, loss of professional license, and inability to work in certain areas. Employers that engage in sexual harassment or refuse to address internal complaints of sexual harassment can face heavy fines.

Q: Is it Worth Hiring a Huntington Beach Sexual Harassment Lawyer?

A: Hiring experienced legal counsel significantly improves your chances of winning any civil case, especially one as potentially complex as a sexual harassment lawsuit. You need legal counsel experienced with the EEOC claim process and the resources needed to secure a successful result for your case. It is always worth investing in legal counsel for the best experience with your claim.

The Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams understand the uncertainty that can follow an incident of sexual harassment in the workplace. Our firm has helped many clients in the Huntington Beach area navigate their sexual harassment and other employment cases with greater confidence and peace of mind, and we can leverage this experience on your behalf. To discuss a sexual harassment claim with a reliable Huntington Beach sexual harassment lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams and schedule your free consultation with our team.