Workplace sexual harassment can threaten to rob you of your power, dignity, self-confidence, and sense of safety. Fortunately, this type of harassment isn't just reprehensible, it's also illegal.
While facing sexual harassment at work, you may have been more focused on getting through the rest of each shift than what you could potentially recover from your employer by bringing a successful workplace sexual harassment claim. But the truth is that being sexually harassed is damaging, and if you were harassed on the job, you may be entitled to wide-ranging damages for the unlawful discrimination you experienced.
At Bailess Law Firm, our compassionate and capable West Virginia employment attorneys know how much courage it takes to come forward and seek help when you've been harmed by someone who holds your livelihood in their hands. We listen without judgment, and offer a safe environment for you to share your story and receive much-needed encouragement and validation. We're sensitive to your needs, concerns, and experiences, and are passionate about providing the legal services and support you need to hold your employer accountable. Here's what you need to know about employment sexual harassment cases in the Mountain State, including what you could recover, and how we can help you get justice and fair damages.
Potential Damages
Our skilled legal team works to gather and develop evidence to support our clients' sexual harassment claims. We may be able to help you get damages for various losses related to the unlawful conduct you faced in the workplace. Your recovery could include financial damages for lost:
- Work
- Income
- Bonuses, commissions, and tips
- Sick pay
- Vacation pay
You can also seek a settlement or damages for human losses such as mental anguish, emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation, and reputational harm. Emotional distress damages cover mental pain and suffering, in addition to any resulting physical harm you've sustained. You could possibly recover damages for anything from trouble sleeping, to the loss of enjoyment of life, to strained relationships with your friends and family, to clinical depression or severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
You could also be awarded punitive damages in addition to whatever compensatory damages you're set to receive. Punitive damages punish the defendant for outrageous and unacceptable conduct, and seek to deter both the defendant and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
Proving Employment Sexual Harassment Claims
The West Virginia Human Rights Act gives you the right to work in an environment that's free from discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, or insult. Our seasoned and trusted employment attorneys can help you build a strong case to show that what happened to you meets the legal definition of workplace sexual harassment.
- The sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature were unwelcome and unwanted
- Submission to (or rejection of) the unwelcome sexual conduct was openly or subtly made a condition or term of your employment, exchanged for job benefits, or used as the basis for making important decisions affecting your job
- The conduct in question has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with your job performance or creating a work environment that's intimidating, hostile, or offensive
Employment law can be complicated. That's why Bailess Law Firm works so hard to make the litigation process as easy and peaceful as possible for our clients. If you're being sexually harassed at work, you don't have to suffer in silence or go up against a powerful employer or insurance company on your own. Let our exceptional attorneys guide and support you each and every step of the way.
Talk to Us About Your Workplace Sexual Harassment Case
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for an initial review of your West Virginia employment sexual harassment claim. We'll listen to your experiences, and help you understand your legal rights and options.