Sexual harassment incidents are unfortunate and leave lasting impressions on the victim’s minds and affect society adversely. It takes a massive toll on your overall health and wellbeing, career, and lifestyle.
Type of Damages You Can Claim with a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
The laws against sexual harassment crimes are strict in California. You can’t take back the bad experiences, but you can certainly make the employer pay in monetary terms for the mistreatment.
In such cases, you should hire a sexual harassment attorney who can help you file your claims and receive the compensation you deserve. If you can provide evidence of the extent of the damages that prove your claims, you will get compensated accordingly.
Emotional Distress Damage
By the federal law of the California state, you may be compensated for the emotional distress that the sexual harassment by the employer may have caused.
Your emotional distress may lead to –
- Strain in relationships with your family and friends
- Anxiety, clinical depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
The extent of severity of the damages that you can prove in the court will determine the amount of compensation you will receive. You, your family, and your friends can provide testimony to the harm caused to your emotional wellbeing.
Your sexual harassment attorney can assist you in gathering information and presenting the evidence in Court. If you had to seek professional medical help as a result of the sexual harassment, your medical records can be evidence too.
Defamation and Intentional Affliction Damages
You have to file a claim for defamation damages within a year of the harassment incident. Your lawyer can prepare a strong case for the court to decide on the compensation you should get because of the damage the incident has done to your reputation.
Health Damages
If the incident has resulted in physical injuries, your attorney can help you get compensated for your medical tests, treatment, and post-treatment expenses. You should always keep the medical bills and records handy, so the attorney can prepare an accurate claim that reflects all your sufferings.
Back Pay and Front Pay Damages
If you are forced to resign or are fired after the incident, you are entitled to compensation of an amount equivalent to the wage you would have been paid if you had not lost the job.
You may recover the back pay and front pay from the time you filed the claim, including bonuses, healthcare benefits, paid time off, and retirement compensation. You can also receive compensation if you are denied a promotion because of the harassment incident.
Punitive Damages
If you can prove that the employer denied you your rights and acted recklessly and maliciously, your lawyer can help claim punitive damages. This is typically done in cases where the employer knew about the sexual harassment but did nothing to prevent it.
Attorney Cost
If your sexual harassment case is strong, your attorney can work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that your attorney will be paid only if you win compensation. In some instances, the court may even order your employer to cover your lawyer’s fees, in addition to paying you the compensation.
The damage that sexual harassment incidents cause to the victim is often irreversible. However, your sexual harassment attorney can help you mitigate some of your overall losses by getting you a monetary compensation amount.