Miramar Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Miramar Sexual Harassment Attorney

No one should be subjected to a hostile work environment. If you’re facing sexual harassment in the workplace, that’s an unacceptable situation that should be remedied as soon as possible. The good news is that you don’t have to go through the complaint process alone. You can hire a Miramar sexual harassment lawyer to help you through it.

Trust The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A.

You can trust The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., to protect your rights and uphold your interests throughout the sexual harassment claim filing process. Michelle Cohen Levy has been a Miramar discrimination lawyer for many years, and in that time, she has developed a keen understanding of sexual harassment laws and how they apply to various workplace situations.

Why Hire a Sexual Harassment Lawyer?

In 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigated 6,611 cases from the state of Florida, including allegations of sexual harassment. On average, 1 in 11,000 workers file a formal charge with the EEOC, but that doesn’t mean this issue isn’t common. 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of sexual harassment within their lifetimes, and the bulk of these incidents go unreported.

You don’t have to tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace and become just another statistic. You can file a formal complaint and hold your employer responsible for creating a hostile work environment. Your first step is to hire a sexual harassment lawyer. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence, submit your claim, and follow up to make sure that you’re meeting deadlines and taking all the necessary steps to get compensated for your suffering.

What’s Considered Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment can be defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other attention that is sexual in nature. There does not have to be unwanted touching involved for an incident to constitute sexual harassment.

Harassment also encompasses sexual comments and verbal attention. Even sexual conduct not directed at a specific person can be construed as sexual harassment if it creates a hostile work environment. Often, this begins with behavior that is dismissed as harmless, but it’s important to understand when teasing crosses the line into harassment. There are four main categories of sexual harassment in the workplace. They are:

1. Hostile work environment. If someone’s sexual comments or attention are creating a hostile work environment, that’s considered sexual harassment even if those comments aren’t directed at one specific person. Sexual images can also create a hostile or offensive work environment.
2. Quid pro quo. The phrase quid pro quo means “this for that,” and quid pro quo sexual harassment involves offers to promote or advance employees in exchange for sexual favors. Quid pro quo harassment can also operate in the other direction. If an employer threatens to fire or demote you if you fail to provide sexual favors, that’s still quid pro quo harassment.
3. Retaliatory harassment. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report harassment. If you’re fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for filing your claim, you have another separate claim to file for employment discrimination.
4. Sexual assault. Sexual assault can be considered any unwanted sexual or physical contact initiated without consent. Sexual assault goes beyond the other forms of sexual harassment described above. It’s a criminal matter that needs to be reported to law enforcement.

How to Prove a Sexual Harassment Claim

Unfortunately, sexual harassment claims are difficult to prove. Federal law requires that the victim provide evidence in the form of:

• Verbal comments and unwelcome statements
• Physical contact
• Lewd material left where the victim can see it
• Unwanted sexual advances
• Other contact, including emails, phone calls, text messages, and social media activity, after a victim has cut off contact

Proof of these forms of harassment may include photographs, text messages, emails, recordings, and witness statements. It’s important to keep and gather all of these forms of evidence to present with your case.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Lawyer for Sexual Harassment?

The cost of getting a lawyer for sexual harassment in the workplace varies depending on factors such as how difficult it is to prove your claim and how experienced your lawyer is. Many lawyers who take on sexual harassment cases charge on a contingency basis, meaning they get a percentage of the final settlement or award and only get paid if you win. Be sure to check with your attorney on fee structures at your initial meeting.

How Hard Is It to Win a Sexual Harassment Case?

It can be hard to win a sexual harassment case because you need to prove that the harassment was severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment. You also need to meet strict filing requirements. You can improve your chances of winning a sexual harassment case by hiring a Miramar sexual harassment attorney with a proven record of success in representing clients in similar situations. A skilled attorney can help you build a compelling case by demonstrating how a pattern of rude and disrespectful behavior contributed to a hostile environment.

Can I File a Claim for Sexual Harassment in Florida?

You can file a claim for sexual harassment in Miramar, Florida. The first step is to report the conduct to your employer. Next, you must submit a formal complaint to the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) or the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You have up to 365 days to file with the FCHR and up to 300 days to file with the EEOC.

What Is the Burden of Proof for Sexual Harassment?

The burden of proof for sexual harassment is on the plaintiff. You must show a preponderance of evidence that the harassment occurred and was severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment. Evidence of this claim may include emails, texts, witness testimony, and documentation of coworkers’ or employers’ behavior.

Your Miramar Sexual Harassment Lawyer

If you’ve been facing sexual harassment at work, it’s time to take action. Hire a Miramar sexual harassment lawyer who can help you hold your employer accountable and get you the justice you deserve. Work with The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. Our small team has extensive experience with sexual harassment cases. We fight tirelessly for our clients and treat every case as if it were our only one. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.