While sexual harassment can sometimes be difficult for victims to discuss, it is important to understand whether you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover your damages. Even though you may be intimidated or afraid of the repercussions that may occur by reporting sexual harassment, it could be very beneficial to hire a licensed lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Sexual abuse and harassment usually occurs at the workplace and victims can often suffer in more ways than one. Besides the physical and emotional toll, victims can suffer financially in regards to their employment status. If you and your lawyer can prove your sexual harassment claim, you could be eligible to hold your employer liable for your suffering.
If you or someone you care for was the victim of sexual harassment in the West Palm Beach area, we recommend contacting Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today to schedule a no-cost initial consultation (by appointment). Your information is always kept private and there is no obligation to retain our legal services.
Below, we discuss some of the common types of sexual harassment cases we have seen in Florida and how you, with the help of your attorney, may be able to hold the at-fault party liable for your damages.
What is Sexual Harassment?
The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits acts that discriminate workers based on their sex or marital status. Florida law defines sexual harassment as any unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate physical or verbal conduct that includes sexual references when:
- Submitting to the conduct is made a requirement to remain employed.
- Rejecting or submitting to the conduct affects employment decisions, which affect the victim.
- The conduct unreasonably interferes with a worker’s performance creating a hostile, offensive, or intimidating work environment.
Understanding the different types of sexual harassment in Florida can help you understand your legal rights to hold at-fault parties liable for your damages. Having an experienced attorney review your claim in a private, no-obligation consultation may be in your best interests, so you can pursue the full and fair amount of compensation you may legally deserve.
Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
When people go to work, they have the right to be treated with respect and protected from sexual abuse and harassment of any kind. Trying to perform your duties in a hostile work environment can make the job much more difficult to complete and may have a negative effect on your performance. As a result of underperforming, it could cost you a chance to obtain that promotion or raise that you have been working so hard for.
A hostile work environment includes discrimination that occurs when other workers, such as co-workers, peers, or contractors make you feel uncomfortable in a sexual manner. To hold someone at-fault for sexual harassment, the behavior must be severe, intentional, recurring, and prevalent. You must also show that the conduct interfered with your work performance and that another reasonable objective person would agree that the conduct created a hostile work environment.
Occasional isolated occurrences such as teasing may not be sufficient evidence to prove a hostile work environment. However, any constant conduct that makes you feel uncomfortable could be classified as sexual harassment. For instance, if you are commonly subjected to nudity or consistently made fun of because of your gender, you could be the victim of a hostile work environment. You could even hold the at-fault party liable for constantly sending emails that are demeaning and based on your gender.
Even if the inappropriate behavior is not directed towards you, it can still create a hostile work environment. For example, if one of your co-workers is having a sexual relationship with your supervisor, and given special treatment as a result. In other words, if your co-worker is sleeping with your boss and is given opportunities that you were denied, this type of unfair treatment could be considered as a hostile work environment.
What is Quid Pro Quo Harassment?
When your work status and/or benefits depend on whether you agree to engage in sexual favors or relationships, it could be considered as quid pro quo harassment. This type of harassment usually involves a superior at the workplace, such as a boss, manager, or supervisor acting inappropriately towards you.
Some common examples of quid pro quo harassment are:
- Your superior offers you a raise, promotion, and/or bonus, only if you give him or her a kiss or go out on a date.
- Your supervisor makes it known that your work status depends on whether you allow him or her to touch you inappropriately at the workplace.
- Your manager threatens to fire you if you decide to report the inappropriate behavior.
- A potential boss indicates that you could get the job if you agree to wear provocative and/or revealing clothing, for his or her pleasure.
Unfortunately, many men and women endure this type of treatment every day at the workplace and are afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs. However, victims of quid pro quo harassment have the right to take legal action against their aggressors.
Speak to a Lawyer You Can Trust
Whether you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse or harassment at work, school, church, nursing home, hospital, or any other place where people gather, it is important to speak to an accomplished lawyer you can trust. In certain instances, you may be able to file multiple claims or a third-party claim, depending on the details of your situation. For example, you may be able to file a third-party claim against the agency responsible for hiring the at-fault party. However, handling multiple claims simultaneously can be extremely difficult without the assistance of a trained legal professional.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers have a proven track record of successful verdicts and settlements, on behalf of our past clientele. Altogether, our firm has received more than 600-plus five-star reviews, so you can trust in our ability to help protect your legal rights to seek the proper amount of compensation you may deserve. Our compassionate lawyers understand the sensitivity of a sexual abuse claim, as well as the physical and emotional suffering victims often endure. Allow our team of accomplished professionals guide you through the complexities of the litigation process, so you can focus on healing with your loved ones.
Our reputable lawyers are available to discuss your West Palm Beach sexual harassment claim in a confidential, no-cost evaluation (by appointment). We can go over the details of your claim and help guide you through the complexities of the legal process to help you hold the at-fault party liable for your damages.
If your claim has merit, you could recover funds for physical and emotional suffering, plus any benefits or income you may have lost as a result of reporting the sexual harassment. Any form of sexual abuse is wrong and illegal in Florida, including sexual harassment. It is time to put an end to the wrongdoings of the at-fault party by giving us a call today.
Call Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers anytime, 24/7, at (561) 800-8000 or use our online chat to ask a question.