Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Lawyer
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, you have the right to pursue a legal case against your harasser. Securing experienced legal representation can give you the opportunity for the best outcome possible. At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, our Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers can explain your legal rights, the deadlines associated with your case, and the potential value of your lawsuit.
Sexual harassment can happen anywhere to anyone. Becoming a victim is, unfortunately, too common. Stopping this trend requires coming forward and fighting for your rights in a court of law.
When you work with the legal team at our Philadelphia law office, you have someone on your side advocating for your rights, offering the support you need to hold your harasser accountable, and helping you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today for your free consultation.
Quick Links
- Meirowitz & Wasserberg: Defending the Rights of Sexual Harassment Victims in Philadelphia
- What is sexual harassment?
- How To Handle Sexual Harassment
- How do I file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
- Evidence Needed to Prove a Sexual Harassment Claim
- What is the time limit to file a claim?
- Compensation Available in a Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Case
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys
Meirowitz & Wasserberg: Defending the Rights of Sexual Harassment Victims in Philadelphia
The experienced and reputable Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg can assist you in several ways if you want to pursue a sexual harassment lawsuit.
- Evaluate your case
We can help can assess the strength of your case, including the evidence you have, the credibility of witnesses, and the laws that apply.
- Navigate the legal process
Our lawyers can guide you through the legal process, including filing a complaint, responding to motions, and representing you in court.
- Advocate for you
Your legal team can represent your interests and help you seek the compensation you deserve, including lost wages, emotional distress damages, and punitive damages.
- Negotiate settlements
We can negotiate a settlement on your behalf, if appropriate, to resolve your case without the need for a trial.
- Protect your rights
Your lawyer can protect your rights, advise you of your options, and ensure that your case is handled fairly.
Let us represent you in your sexual harassment lawsuit. We will provide you with the support, guidance, and advocacy you need to seek justice.
Contact Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP today to find out how we can help you.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment involves another person making statements, suggestions, requests, or physical advancements of a sexual nature toward you without your consent. These actions can make you uncomfortable and upset because they are unwanted and create a tense atmosphere.
You may hear about this type of issue most often in the context of employment. When sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, it might be quid pro quo harassment, which means someone is trying to use a condition of employment to get sexual favors.
It is important to note that sexual harassment does not have to involve sexual behavior or physical actions. It could also be words, materials, or gender-related, such as jokes about women.
It also does not have to occur in person. Online harassment, in which someone uses technology to perpetrate harassment, is a growing problem. This type of sexual harassment typically involves sending lewd materials to a victim or sharing such materials publicly, posting nude pictures of you without permission on social media, for example.
Teasing or a one-time situation does not constitute sexual harassment. The actions need to occur multiple times and create a feeling of discomfort.
How To Handle Sexual Harassment
Women are most often the victims of sexual harassment. A 2021 Pew Research study showed that 16 percent of women said they had experienced it, compared to 5 percent of men.
The best way to combat this issue is to stand up for yourself. It’s important to be proactive and hold your harasser responsible by:
- Documenting all incidents, including the time, date, witnesses, and details
- Being firm with the harasser and telling them to stop
- Noting other potential victims
- Speaking with a Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyer
- Making a report at work or with the police
- Filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
How do I file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is an agency within the federal government that handles discrimination and harassment complaints. If the incident occurs at work, you need to file a complaint. You can do this online through the public portal or in person at an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office.
You can also file by mail. If you need assistance during the filing process, you can call the agency at 1-800-669-4000.
Evidence Needed to Prove a Sexual Harassment Claim
Gathering evidence against your harasser is essential to proving your case, whether it is with your employer, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or in court. You want to document as much as possible about the incident, including the date, time, location, and names of those present.
If you have any communication documentation between you and the aggressor, keep that. Emails, text messages, or handwritten notes can make the best evidence in these cases.
You also want to note witnesses and speak with them to see if they would be willing to provide statements on your behalf. Sometimes, people fear involvement in such issues because they think an employer may retaliate.
While this is against the law, you cannot make a witness testify, so be careful when approaching potential witnesses. You may want to leave it up to your lawyer to handle.
What is the time limit to file a claim?
If you are working with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you will have 180 days to file a complaint, beginning from when the harassment takes place. You may get an extension of up to 300 days in some situations.
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act is two years. This means that a victim has two years from the date of the alleged harassment to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
After filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you will need a Notice of Right to Sue to bring a lawsuit to court. Once you get this notice, you have 90 days to file your case. Otherwise, you cannot file until the agency completes its investigation.
Compensation Available in a Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Case
When you take your sexual harassment case to court, you will file a civil lawsuit against the offender. Civil cases allow you to collect monetary awards. You may ask for compensatory and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are those that pay you for your losses. Generally, they are specific expenses you had due to the other person’s actions. For example, if you missed work because of harassment in the workplace, you could ask for money to cover lost wages. This type of award also includes pain and suffering and emotional damage.
Punitive damages are a punishment. The court will decide whether to impose this type of award. It does not happen in every case. Judges generally reserve them for situations where an offender showed malice or intent to cause harm to the victim.
You may also recover attorney fees and costs you had to pay to file the lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dealing with legal issues concerning your situation can be confusing. To ensure you understand what may happen, here are answers to some common questions.
What are the laws concerning sexual harassment?
Issues occurring in the workplace have coverage under federal law, making it illegal to commit the act or for employers to retaliate against anyone reporting an incident.
Pennsylvania law also makes harassment illegal. Under state law, it is a criminal violation, meaning you may file a complaint with the police and make a civil claim against the person.
What rights do victims have?
Multiple sexual harassment laws provide you with a variety of rights, including:
- Safety in your workplace
- ability to report any issues without fear of punishment
- Investigation of any complaint
- Charges filed against the person
- Option to sue in a court of law
What might happen in a lawsuit?
If you take your case to court, there are three potential outcomes.
- You may win your case and receive payment from the offender.
- The court may find the offender is not guilty, and nothing further would happen.
- Or you may settle outside of court, meaning the other person agrees to pay you a specific amount of money for you to drop the case.
Note that if you receive damages awarded by the court in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission case, federal law limits how much you can receive based on the number of employees your employer has. Limits range from $50,000 to $300,000.
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