Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Trusted Sexual Harassment Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

It is an unfortunate reality that sexual harassment continues to be a pervasive and damaging problem throughout American workplaces in all industries. Despite many strict laws at the federal level and further legislation at the state level, California workers consistently experience various types of sexual harassment at work. If this happens to you, equip yourself with the assistance of a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer from Shirazi Law Firm, PC.

In our experience, many people don’t know if what they’ve been subjected to in the workplace legally constitutes sexual harassment. Most sexual harassment claims do not involve an express request for sex in exchange for job benefits, but a work environment filled with unwelcome comments, conduct, or language.

It’s important to note that Human Resources (HR) is not your friend; that’s why it’s important to reach out to a qualified Los Angeles employment lawyer for a free consultation. Your employer’s HR department is loyal to your employer, not you, regardless of what they might claim to the contrary. It’s also important to know that your complaints about sexual harassment should be in writing so that you have a record. One of the biggest challenges in any sexual harassment claim is overcoming the “he said, she said” nature of many of these disputes with clear, unassailable evidence of sexual harassment in the workplace.

The Shirazi Law Firm, PC, can provide the compassionate and responsive legal representation you need for effective legal recourse against the party responsible for the sexual harassment you experienced at work. We are experienced and aggressive employment attorneys in Los Angeles who take most cases on contingency—at no cost to you. If you or someone you know believes they have been a victim of sexual harassment, please contact us for a free confidential consultation. Get the best sexual harassment lawyer you can in the Los Angeles area.

What Types of Workplace Behavior Constitute Sexual Harassment?

Sexual Harassment is illegal under California law under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. While there are two main types of Sexual Harassment, examples may include:

• Unwelcome sexual propositions. Employers may not suggest exchanges of sexual favors for job-related benefits, nor may they threaten work-related penalties for refusal of
  their requests for sexual favors.
• Sexually provocative materials/pornography. Employers and their employees may not post pornographic or sexually suggestive material in the workplace, and if such material is posted in visible areas of the workplace and an employee complains, the employer should remove the offending material promptly.
• Extremely vulgar language. Americans working in all industries have the right to expect a respectful work environment. Employers should have codes of conduct for their employees that encourage a dignified atmosphere of mutual respect among all employees. When vulgar language in the workplace consistently offends an employee, and their supervisor does nothing to address or correct the situation, this could potentially form the basis of a sexual harassment suit.
• Sexual touching. Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace often escalates to physical contact. If any unwanted touching of a sexual nature occurs at work, the employer is not only liable for a sexual harassment suit but also for sexual battery.
• Degrading comments. Any type of sexually demeaning comments can be damaging to the victim, and unfortunately, many people are subjected to persistent ridicule based on their sex or sexual orientation. If you demand that degrading comments cease, but they do not, or your employer retaliates against you for voicing your discontent in any way, it’s vital to connect with a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible.
• Embarrassing questions or jokes. Employees in all workplaces have the right to perform their work duties without persistent questions or jokes about their sex, sexual orientation, or their assumed sexual identity.

If you or a loved one has experienced any of the aforementioned types of sexual harassment and the internal conflict resolution channels in your workplace have not produced an appropriate response, or if you have suffered illegal retaliation from your employer after voicing your concerns, it is crucial to reach out to a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney you can trust.

Los Angeles Harassment & Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment/harassment arises when a co-worker, supervisor, or client engages in unwelcome and inappropriate sexually based behavior, rendering the workplace atmosphere intimidating, hostile, or offensive. The conduct can be by and against both men and women and does not have to be a result of sexual attraction or even from someone of the opposite sex. Click through to read some of the cases we have successfully handled and brought justice to our clients.

Unwanted Attention

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Assault

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Same Sex

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Abuse of Power

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Quid Pro Quo

Quid pro quo is the legal term for when a supervisor demands sexual favors of a subordinate as a condition of getting or keeping a job benefit. Such demands are illegal, regardless of whether the sexual favors occur, or any negative action is taken against the employee. Quid pro quo also applies if the supervisor offers job-related benefits in exchange for sexual favors, even if they do not take adverse action if their subordinate declines. The gender of the supervisor and subordinate does not matter.

When Sexual Harassment Becomes Assault and Battery

The most severe form of sexual harassment a person can suffer in their workplace is sexual assault and/or battery. When sexually suggestive comments, unwanted sexual advances, and other forms of sexual harassment escalate to the point of physical contact, this can be incredibly damaging for the victim and lead to criminal charges for the person responsible for this action. Sexual assault and sexual battery carry severe penalties, including fines, incarceration, and long-term sex offender registration.

It is also possible for the employer of the individual responsible for this type of incident to face vicarious liability. If an investigation reveals they are in any way liable for the offender’s actions, such as failing to provide sexual harassment training, failing to enforce workplace anti-harassment policies or failing to perform an appropriate background check on the offender prior to hiring them, the employer could face legal penalties. Every California employer is legally obligated to make every effort to maintain a safe and harassment-free workplace.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault and/or battery, it is important that you do the following:

• Contact law enforcement: Your health and safety are of the utmost importance, so if you have sustained injury or trauma from an unwanted sexual encounter, call 911.
• Seek medical attention: Ask your doctor to take care of any injuries you may have received, and, if necessary, request that a rape kit be performed.
• Contact a sexual harassment lawyer: Once your safety and health have been attended to, it is wise to reach out to a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer. Due to the criminal nature of what you have just experienced, you may be able to file charges against the individual(s) in both criminal and civil courts, enabling you to pursue justice and compensation.

A compassionate and skilled sexual harassment lawyer will be able to help you through the upcoming legal proceedings, as well as provide a source of consistent comfort as you face the aftermath of the assault.

Recovering From Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles

If your employer has sexually harassed you in any way, or if you have experienced sexual harassment of any kind at work and your employer has not taken appropriate steps to address the issue, you can proceed with filing a sexual harassment claim. Your Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney will be a crucial resource for determining the full scope of damages you could claim from the defendant.

When you hire the Shirazi Law Firm, PC, to handle your sexual harassment case, our goals are to streamline your claim as much as possible and secure as much compensation as possible for the damages you suffered. Every case is unique, but most plaintiffs in sexual harassment suits in Los Angeles are entitled to recover:

• Lost income, including back pay and lost benefits. If the plaintiff was fired or forced to quit their job due to the sexual harassment they suffered, they can seek accountability for the income they could have earned if they had been able to remain in their position.
• Reinstatement or front pay. Some plaintiffs will seek the removal of the supervisor or other individuals who harassed them and wish to return to their jobs. Others have no interest in returning to the workplaces where they were harassed, but they can claim compensation for the income they would have reasonably expected to earn if they had been able to remain in their position.
• Compensatory damages for out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the harassment. This can include the cost of medical care needed in response to sexual harassment, the cost of new job training services and job searches, and transportation costs.
• Punitive damages are typically awarded in proportion to the severity of the defendant’s behavior.
• Legal fees. You have the right to hold the defendant accountable for the costs associated with pursuing your civil action.
• Pain and suffering compensation. An incident of sexual harassment can be traumatic, and some victims, unfortunately, suffer physical harm as well. You can hold the defendant accountable for your emotional pain and suffering, and your Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney will help you determine a suitable figure to include with your claim.

Do not make the mistake of assuming it would not be worth the time and effort to file your sexual harassment claim. Unfortunately, many people who experience sexual harassment assume that it would cost more to hire a lawyer and file a suit than they could recover from a successful suit. An experienced attorney can pursue your full case award, with no out-of-pocket risk to you, and hold the defendant accountable for your experience.

The Shirazi Law Firm, PC, regularly handles sexual harassment cases and has always been able to keep the identity of its sexual harassment clients confidential in any legal proceedings.

Specific California Statutes and Agencies

Sexual harassment claims in California are not only deeply personal but also inherently complex due to the specific state laws that apply to these cases and the agencies that may be involved in your specific case. While you may be familiar with some of the federal laws that apply to workplace discrimination and harassment, California’s own statutes and agencies may provide more robust protection if you have experienced sexual harassment at work.

The Shirazi Law Firm, PC has a strong record of success with these difficult cases, and we will explain all of the specific California statutes and agencies that are likely to come into play as your case unfolds.

The Civil Rights Department (CRD), formerly the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, is the primary state agency responsible for enforcing California’s workplace discrimination and harassment laws. If you believe that you have experienced sexual harassment at work, you cannot proceed directly to filing a claim against your employer. First, you will need to submit a complaint to the CRD, and they must investigate and approve your complaint.

While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles workplace discrimination and harassment complaints at the federal level, the CRD enforces California’s state-level harassment and discrimination laws, and your attorney can help file your complaint. Once the CRD investigates, if the agency approves the complaint, it will issue a Notice of Right to Sue, a formal requirement for filing a harassment lawsuit against your employer.

At the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act exists to provide legal protection against employment discrimination, but the rules are stricter than those enforced by California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). While Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, FEHA applies to California employers with just five or more employees.

FEHA also covers more personal characteristics, providing more robust legal protection against discrimination compared to the categories covered by Title VII. Additionally, while Title VII only allows for an employer to be sued, FEHA allows affected employees to pursue compensation directly from supervisors or managers personally, and while Title VII caps the amount of compensation the employee can claim, FEHA does not.

California enforces some of the most employee-friendly statutes in the US, but you will need to hire a sexual harassment lawyer to take full advantage of the legal protections afforded to you under these statutes. The team at Shirazi Law Firm, PC, can carefully review the details of your experience and then explain the state and federal laws that apply to your case. Our goal is to thoroughly explore every legal avenue to help you build the strongest possible case.

Ultimately, sexual harassment cases are difficult in several ways, not only because of the deeply personal and traumatic issues they often involve, but also because of the complexity of the state and federal laws that apply to these cases. When you hire a sexual harassment lawyer to represent you, it is crucial to confirm that your attorney has proven experience handling these difficult cases successfully.

The team at Shirazi Law Firm, PC, is ready to answer your questions and address your concerns as you seek accountability and compensation for your damages. We are confident we can guide you to a favorable outcome, but you have a limited time to file your case. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how an experienced Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer can help.

FAQs About Los Angeles, CA Sexual Harassment Laws

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to Hire for a Sexual Harassment Claim in Los Angeles?

If you are looking to file a sexual harassment claim in your local court system, you may benefit from the assistance of a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer. Not only do sexual harassment lawyers understand the order of proceedings, the complex jargon, and the inner workings of the California civil court, but they will also be able to explain these various aspects to you, guiding you every step of the way with clarity and compassion.

Can I Represent Myself in a Sexual Harassment Case in California?

This could be the worst decision you could ever make. It is legal for you to represent yourself in a sexual harassment case in California, but this is never advisable. You need to hire a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer.

Hiring a sexual harassment lawyer can be like hiring a tour guide in a foreign country: they know the language and the culture, and they can use this knowledge to help you obtain an optimal outcome.

How Much Does a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Cost in California?

Most sexual harassment lawyers work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay unless the case is successful. There are a few elements that factor into the overall price, such as who you hire, how long your case takes to resolve, and how complicated your case may be. At Shirazi Law Firm, PC, your lawyer can work alongside you to build a case that you feel is worthy of the money and time you spend in your pursuit of justice.

How Can I Build a Strong Sexual Harassment Case in California?

Evidence will be your strongest asset when you begin building your sexual harassment case. This can come in many formats, such as emails, texts, recorded phone calls, videos, pictures, documented complaints, witness testimonies, recorded discussions of any applicable incidents, and any relevant medical or clinical reports. It can feel overwhelming to have to gather all of this evidence by yourself, which is why you may benefit from the help of a Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer.

The Shirazi Law Firm, PC, is dedicated to providing the legal representation Los Angeles workers need when they have suffered sexual harassment in their workplaces. We excel at resolving complex claims and taking them to trial, including those that appear to include very minimal physical evidence.

Whatever your unique situation entails, we will take the time to listen to your story, determine your path to recovery, and guide you through all the steps necessary to resolve your sexual harassment claim. Contact us today and schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney.

Quid Pro Quo

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