Life comes with unexpected situations. Unfortunately, not all of life’s surprises are good ones. Each year, employees throughout California find themselves on the receiving end of sexual harassment. As you likely know, harassing another person is illegal.
Fortunately, the best harassment lawyers near you can lend a helping hand during such a troubling time. Choose Melmed Law. We’re San Diego sexual harassment lawyers who stand up to companies of all sizes.
Plus, we’re a contingency-based law firm. Your consultation is free. We also don’t receive any payment unless we recover. In other words, our San Diego sexual harassment attorneys aren’t paid unless you do. If we can’t settle or obtain a favorable case outcome, you owe our workplace harassment lawyers near you nothing.
Let’s help you move forward. Schedule your consultation below. Our personal harassment lawyers will go above and beyond.
We Fight for Victims
U.S. employees share the right to work within harassment-free workplaces. That includes spaces free from fear, intimidation, and anything else leading to a hostile environment. It can feel jarring when the rug is pulled from underneath your feet, exposing a harasser’s playing field where you work.
Our San Diego sexual harassment attorneys, utilize care and confidentiality when speaking to all potential and current clients, especially those who have endured potentially traumatic events.
Melmed Law helps people every day who have endured or are currently dealing with work-related harassment. We use a sensitive approach. Our law firm only wants to hear what you’re comfortable sharing. Additionally, we offer assistance with EEOC complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Count on our experienced San Diego sexual harassment lawyers to litigate your claim. Melmed Law isn’t just here to fight for you in court. We want to help you heal.
Spotting Sexual Harassment
San Diego County's rules for sexual harassment derive from regulations created by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which offers federal-level protection.
As San Diego sexual harassment attorneys know, California is one of the best states regarding protecting its workers. In California, it is unlawful for anyone to harass any person based on their sex. This state also created the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which offers additional protections to workers.
These protections don’t only extend to a company’s employees. Job applicants, contractors/freelancers, and former employees are additional groups who share rights with a company’s current workforce.
The first step to take is understanding whether or not you’re being harassed. In many cases, your instincts are probably correct. However, considering the seriousness of this crime, it’s best to ensure harassment is happening before you risk falsely accusing someone. If that happens, any San Diego sexual harassment attorney would have a tough time representing you.
You may imagine only something graphic or extremely lewd qualifies as sexual harassment. However, that’s not true. Making this situation more challenging, harassers come from all walks of life. Workplace harassment doesn’t only involve co-workers or managers. Customers, vendors, and consultants can also persecute you.
As San Diego sexual harassment attorneys often deal with, harassment can also include offensive behaviors or actions about someone’s:
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
According to the EEOC, sexual harassment victims can endure:
- Sexual advances
- Physical, sexually-charged contact
- Inappropriate visual conduct
- Sexual favors in exchange for a promotion
- Unwanted touching, including deliberate touching, leaning over, hugging, and patting
- Unwanted gestures like blowing kisses
- Telling sexual jokes and asking sexual questions
- Repeated pressure for dates
- Whistling at or catcalling someone
- Stories of a sexual or suggestive nature
- Purposefully standing close to someone
- Asking inappropriate questions
- Making lewd hand gestures
- Sharing inappropriate materials at work
Laws do not legally punish someone taking part in innocent teasing, more minor incidents that only happen once, or similar matters. Harassment violates laws when it happens often. It’s also illegal when it becomes severe enough to create a hostile workplace.
Many people in your situation feel confused about whether they’re being harassed. Clear up any confusion by contacting a San Diego sexual harassment attorney.
Direct Vs. Indirect Harassment
Harassers cause more damage than you may think. These vile people put their targets through things no one should endure. They also create indirect victims. These people witness sexual harassment or otherwise deal with the fallout of a hostile work environment.
In some cases, even indirect harassment victims can have their legal rights violated without being harassed directly. For help with this subject, contact the San Diego sexual harassment attorneys at Melmed Law. We’ll look at your case to uncover the harassment you’re enduring.
A Hostile Work Environment
Are you working in a hostile environment due to direct or indirect harassment? Let San Diego sexual harassment lawyers at Melmed Law Group P.C. help you. The examples below are signs of a hostile workplace.
- Discrimination against gender, race, religion, age, orientation, disability, or nation of origin occurs.
- The conduct at your job has become a pervasive and long-lasting problem.
- Your employer didn’t investigate your concerns.
- Your desire or ability to work has been impacted.
- Your employer knew about hostile behavior but didn’t do anything to address the issue.
You don’t have to work in fear. Hostile workplaces are as dangerous as a fast-burning fuse attached to a stick of dynamite. Contact the San Diego sexual harassment attorneys at Melmed Law. We fight to recover the damages you deserve.
What To Do After Harassment Occurs
First, gather evidence. What constitutes proof of harassment depends on the situation. If a harasser texts you, save their messages. Receiving lewd voicemails? Keep them saved. Provided you’re comfortable with it, a San Diego sexual harassment attorney will want to go over these types of evidence with you.
Maintain records of each incident of harassment, including the date and time and the individuals who were involved or who witnessed it. Save any emails, memos, or other supporting documentation.
Next, report what happened. You’ll typically need to complete an official report with your employer. This can feel daunting. You may initially fear this step. However, as any San Diego sexual harassment attorney will tell you, it’s vital.
If this company doesn’t have information about how to report harassment, submit a complaint detailing what happened in writing. If you don’t report the conduct in any way, it may affect your ability to move forward and make a claim against your employer.
Then, review the company’s response. This step can be more accessible after finding a lawyer for harassment near you. The San Diego sexual harassment lawyers at Melmed Law can help you determine how to proceed after an employer responds. We’ll be ready.
In many cases, the next step is to file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Understandably, a San Diego sexual harassment attorney can assist with completing this step.
The DFEH is responsible for safeguarding San Diegans from sexual harassment. If this department’s investigation reveals civil rights violations, it can pursue damages on your behalf. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may also assist. But it’s not guaranteed.
Experiencing line-crossing behavior at your job? Don't ignore it. Get help with how to file a harassment lawsuit with the help of an attorney. Contact the San Diego sexual harassment attorneys at Melmed Law Group P.C.
Fighting Back Against Retaliation
Some companies don’t want their dirty laundry made public. Your employer could be one of them. If so, it may not be above breaking the law to keep you quiet or terminate your job. Similarly to sexual harassment, retaliation can happen in many ways, including:
- Wrongful termination
- Demotion
- Cut hours
- Denied bonuses or raises
- Relocation to a new department or headquarters
- Exposure to worsening job duties
Retaliation is illegal. If it’s happening to you, gather evidence supporting your claim. That may include photos, videos, and audio recordings. Bring this information when you speak with a San Diego sexual harassment attorney. If you’re experiencing retaliation, contact Melmed Law. Our workplace harassment lawyers in California offer free consultations.
Our San Diego sexual harassment lawyers can help you with the following:
- Gather evidence
- Build your case
- Take witness statements
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Represent you in court
Why Choose Melmed Law Group?
We know you have options when it comes to seeking legal representation. Choosing a sexual harassment law firm isn’t a decision to take lightly. When you select Law Melmed, you gain a large team of experienced San Diego sexual harassment attorneys.
Melmed Law is proud to have obtained countless first-hand testimonies from harassment survivors. Our seasoned sexual harassment attorneys are ready to defend your employer.
Since 2017, our law firm has stood opposite Californian companies in various industries. Whether you survived harassment while working for a small business or a massive corporation, we’ll do everything possible to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their sickening actions.
Instead of having one or two San Diego sexual harassment attorneys on your side, hiring Melmed Law Group P.C. means having an entire team of legal professionals representing you. We’re one of California’s fastest-growing law firms! We’ve also helped recover over $250 million for our clients.
Plus, we operate on contingency. In other words, you only pay our law firm if we settle your case.
Reviews From Our Clients
Melmed Law is a group of experienced San Diego sexual harassment attorneys helping victims seek justice. But don’t take our word for it. Instead, find out what honest people say about Melmed Law below.
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michael. He needed legal help promptly, and we discussed his case and potential options at length. As you’ll read, Michael notes the communication and punctuality of our San Diego sexual harassment lawyers.
“I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the professional and courteous assistance you both provided during our discussions regarding my potential case. Throughout our consultations, I was impressed by your punctuality and your ability to clearly address all my concerns.“
-Michael C.
Some San Diego sexual harassment attorneys may pressure you into choosing their law firm no matter what. We’re not like that. If we can’t provide you with the best legal representation, we’ll gladly refer you to attorneys better equipped to take on your case.
“Reached out to these lawyers and asked a few questions about a job that I used to work at. They helped me evaluate my options and did a great job responding to me. I definitely recommend them.”
-Katie W.
Anita was another potential client that we could navigate toward an ideal outcome. Even if you have a few questions about your legal situation, our sexual harassment attorneys in San Diego are ready to help.
“I appreciate this law firm feedback and steps on what I can do next since I was still using an attorney. I more so appreciate the fact that they are willing to hold on to my information just in case things change on my end.”
-Anita G.
We Get Results
You’ve read reviews about how our San Diego sexual harassment attorneys help people throughout California. We also want to include information about the courtroom victories and settlements we’ve recovered.
- $140,000 recovered for a plaintiff
- $500,000 recovered for multiple plaintiffs
- $400,000 recovered for two plaintiffs in a case involving sexual harassment and retaliation
FAQs
Because we’re lawyers specializing in sexual harassment claims and employee rights, Melmed Law gets lots of questions. Find out the answers you seek from our San Diego sexual harassment lawyers.
1. What Damages Can I Potentially Seek?
Understandably, survivors of sexual harassment have the opportunity to seek damages against an offending party. What you can claim depends on what you endured.
Commonly awarded damages include:
- Lost wages
- Forecasted lost future earnings
- Loss of employment benefits
- Medical expenses (counseling, medication, etc.)
- Loss of enjoyment/mental anguish
Speak with a San Diego sexual harassment attorney to learn more about what damages may apply to your sexual harassment claim. Typically, allegations involving severe and long-term harassment could warrant higher damages than other cases. Getting your free consultation with Melmed Law will help us understand the details of your claim.
2. Do Sexual Harassment Cases Have Time Limits?
Yes. This restriction is otherwise known as a statute of limitations. These statutes simply detail how long someone has to take legal action against another party. In California, harassment survivors have up to three years from when the most recent harassment occurred.
Need help understanding your case’s limits? Call Melmed Law at (310) 824-3828. Don’t wait. Letting too much time go can prevent you from legally seeking damages.
3. What Counts as Evidence of Sexual Harassment?
Evidence is an aspect of protecting your rights with a skilled sexual harassment lawyer in San Diego. This information can include photos, videos, audio recordings, and anything else that documents harassing behavior or actions.
After collecting your evidence, seek legal representation for victims of hostile work environments.
4. How Can San Diego Sexual Harassment Lawyers Help My Situation?
An attorney can prove invaluable during this difficult time. Melmed Law helps build your case. That includes completing forms, gathering evidence, and other critical yet sometimes easy-to-miss steps.
A San Diego sexual harassment attorney can also represent you during negotiations with your current or former employer. Understandably, many who endure persecution want to be as far away from their predators as possible. Melmed Law is your voice.
5. How Much Money Does a Harassment Lawyer Cost?
When people seek a top-rated attorney for workplace harassment lawsuits, they can imagine paying astronomical costs. That’s not the case with us. Melmed Law offers free consultations with attorneys for sexual harassment cases.
Additionally, we charge nothing unless or until we recover. Put another way, our San Diego sexual harassment lawyers only receive payment if you do.
Free Legal Consultation
All employees in every position have the right to a work environment that’s free from intimidation and fear. Melmed Law knows sexual harassment in the workplace is stressful. It’s debilitating. Did you or someone you know endure torment from a harasser? Contact Melmed Law.
We’re San Diego sexual harassment lawyers who offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you evaluate your options. Determine the best course of action. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.