State and federal laws protect individuals from sexual harassment at work. However, that does not mean employees are not subjected to sexual harassment at work in St. Louis, Missouri. Sexual harassment in the workplace is more common than people realize because it is underreported.
We understand that you might be nervous because you fear employer retaliation if you report the harassment. The St. Louis sexual harassment lawyers at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
Our lawyers have over 30 years of collective legal experience protecting the rights of our clients. We seek justice for our clients as we fight to hold parties accountable for their wrongdoing.
You do not need to face this situation alone. Instead, contact our law office at (314) 400-0000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our sexual harassment attorneys in St. Louis.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been the Victim of Sexual Harassment at Work
It can be difficult to stand up for yourself and take steps to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. Filing a complaint can be incredibly challenging when the person harassing you is the person who would typically take the report.
Do not worry. Our St. Louis sexual assault lawyers know what to do. We have resources and decades of combined experience handling challenging, complex, and sensitive cases. We understand sexual harassment laws and how to build a strong case to protect your rights.
When you hire Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis, MO, you can expect us to:
- Work with you to obtain the evidence necessary to prove sexual harassment at your place of employment
- File all claims and complaints necessary to protect your rights and best interests
- Complete all paperwork and monitor filing deadlines
- Work with you to take steps to stop the sexual harassment immediately
- Aggressively pursue each claim and cause of action to recover maximum compensation for your case
You do not have to continue to suffer in silence. Our legal team can help you take steps to stop sexual harassment. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with our St. Louis personal injury attorneys.
What Is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
Federal and state laws make it illegal to harass someone based on their sex. Sexual harassment at work can take many different forms. Some subtle forms of harassment might go overlooked because people pass the harassment off as joking or just being friendly.
Examples of sexual harassment at work include, but are not limited to:
- Physical conduct of a sexual nature
- Making sexual comments and sexual jokes
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Comments about a person’s sex
- Making offensive facial expressions or gestures
- Creating a hostile work environment by using sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is illegal and hurtful. The first step is to stop sexual harassment by reporting it to the employer and the correct federal or state agency. The second step is to consider whether you want to sue for damages caused by workplace harassment.
What Damages Are Available for Sexual Harassment Claims?
Each case is unique. The damages you could receive will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. It also depends on the laws governing your claim and whether you filed a claim through the government or civil court.
If you file a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment, you could receive compensation for the economic damages caused by the sexual harassment. Examples of economic damages you could receive include:
- Back pay and lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Medical bills and expenses
- Relocation expenses if you changed jobs
- The cost of therapy and counseling
- The cost of ongoing counseling, therapy, and treatment
- Court costs and legal fees
In addition to the economic damages, victims of sexual harassment at work can also receive compensation for their pain and suffering. These damages are called non-economic damages and include the following:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Depression
- The damage to personal relationships
- Anxiety attacks
- Development of certain disorders, including eating disorders and sleep disorders
A jury could award punitive damages to punish an employer who failed to take action to stop sexual harassment when it was reported. Punitive damages could also be awarded against the person guilty of sexual harassment.
Punitive damages are only awarded in a small number of cases. Our lawyers carefully review each case to determine if the facts support the award.
How Long Do I Have To File a Sexual Harassment Claim in Missouri?
The deadlines for sexual harassment claims and lawsuits can vary. For example, if your claim is filed under the Equal Pay Act, the filing deadline is two years after the employer issued the final discriminatory paycheck. However, you only have 180 days from the date of the harassment to file a claim under the EEOC.
It is best to talk with our St. Louis sexual harassment lawyers as soon as possible. An attorney reviews the facts of your case to calculate the various deadlines and filing requirements for taking action under federal and state laws.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Louis Sexual Harassment Lawyers
There is never a justification for sexual harassment in the workplace. If you have experienced workplace harassment, call us now to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced sexual harassment lawyers in St. Louis.
