Los Angeles Workplace Harassment Lawyer
Physical, verbal, sexual, and other types of abuse in the workplace are not only wrong – they are against the law. Many companies and organizations throughout Los Angeles are required to implement certain measures to ensure they provide a harassment-free workplace. Even when business owners are not required to take these measures, they are certainly encouraged to.
If you have been harassed while at work and your employer has not done anything to correct the situation, you may be able to file a claim for financial compensation. Our Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyer can help you claim the fair amount you deserve.
What is Workplace Harassment?
Unfortunately, all employees will experience hostility in the workplace at some point. Not all of these experiences warrant a civil claim as a result, however. In order to successfully file a workplace harassment lawsuit, you must prove several elements in court. They are as follows:
- The harassing behavior was based on a protected characteristic, such as your race, gender, or a disability,
- The behavior was unwelcome and offensive
- The workplace harassment was so pervasive and severe that it created a hostile or intimidating work environment
Although some behaviors are less than desirable, such as an off-color joke here or there, they are not always enough to warrant legal action. A Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyer can review of the facts of your case to determine if there were physical, verbal, visual, or sexual forms of harassment.
The First Steps to Take
Before you can take legal action, you must first take certain steps of your own to stop the harassment from occurring. You should be direct and tell the perpetrator to refrain from the behavior, inform management and human resources, and follow any process your employer has set out. Under both federal and state law, you must take these steps before filing a civil claim.
You should also document the harassment in detail as it occurs. Keep notes about the illegal conduct, any conversations you had with your harasser, employer, or witnesses, and keep copies of any correspondence, including text messages, that may be related to your case.
Filing a Legal Claim
If you have exhausted the above measures and continue to experience harassment, you may be able to file a legal claim for compensation. It is critical that you speak to a Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyer as soon as possible. You may have as little as 180 days from the date of the harassment before you can take legal action. A lawyer can also advise on the type of claim to file, such as whether you should file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for a federal claim, or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) for a state claim.
Contact Our Workplace Harassment Lawyer in Los Angeles Today
If you have experienced workplace harassment, do not wait to speak to one of our experienced Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyers. At The Garza Firm, our Los Angeles workplace harassment lawyers have the necessary experience helping employees and we can put it to work for you. Call us today at (949) 570-8350 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.
