How Much Money Can I Recover Through a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit?

 Posted on August 27, 2020 in Main

Sexual harassment may involve inappropriate, demeaning, or sexually explicit speech and actions at work. It may also involve an employer, supervisor, manager, or another person of authority using his or her position to solicit sexual contact from applicants or employees. Whether it is hostile work environment harassment or quid pro quo harassment, sexual harassment violates federal, state, and local laws.

Discrimination and harassment are not only immoral, but they can also cost victims their livelihoods. If you have been a victim of workplace sexual harassment, you may be considering filing a sexual harassment lawsuit and pursuing compensation for your damages. The exact amount you can gain from a successful sexual harassment claim varies significantly depending on the facts of the case and the type of harm caused by the harassment.

Compensation for Your Lost Wages

A high percentage of sexual harassment claims involve accusations of employer retaliation. An employee may have been denied a justifiable raise or promotion, given few work hours, or even fired after reporting sexual harassment. If you suffered financial losses due to your employer’s actions, you may be entitled to back pay or compensation for your lost income. This may include:

• Wages you would have earned if not for the employer’s unlawful behavior

• Estimated bonuses, tips, and commission

• Compensation for the loss of benefits such as health insurance

• The value of lost vacation days and sick days

• Retirement benefits

• Stocks options

If you were forced to quit because sexual harassment made the working environment intolerable or you were fired for reporting sexual harassment, you may also be eligible for “front pay.” Front pay is compensation for the wages you would have earned if you were still employed at your old position. The amount of front pay you may be entitled to is based on your work history, age, and the amount of time needed to find suitable employment elsewhere.

Compensation for Your Emotional Distress, Medical Bills, and Other Costs

In addition to back pay and front pay, you may also be awarded compensatory damages. You could receive compensation for the emotional distress caused by the harassment as well as any damage the harassment caused to your reputation. If you required medical treatment or psychological counseling because of the harassment, you may also receive compensation for these expenses. If an employer’s actions were especially egregious or the employer knew about the harassment and did nothing to stop it, you may be entitled to punitive damages. This is additional compensation awarded to the victim which is designed to punish the employer. You may also be compensated for any attorney’s fees and legal costs.

Contact a DuPage County Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Sexual harassment or discrimination can make your job intolerable and cause you significant emotional harm. To learn more about filing a sexual harassment claim, contact the skilled legal team of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC (MKFM Law) for help. Our knowledgeable attorneys will fight to get you the full compensation you deserve. Schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced Illinois sexual harassment attorneys by calling our office today at 630-665-7300.

Source:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sexual-harassment