Possible legal avenues of sexual harassment complaints

Several legal avenues are available to seek justice if you face sexual harassment at work.

Out-of-court settlement

AA settlement agreement allows employees who endured sexual harassment to secure compensation without going to through lengthy and difficult court proceedings.

Along with your attorneys, you and your employer could negotiate a financial payout that addresses:

• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Emotional distress
• Legal fees

There are benefits to both sides of settling. Resolving cases with a settlement can allow parties to:

• Get closure faster
• Reduce legal expenses
• Keep details of the matter private

For these and other reasons, parties resolve most sexual harassment claims outside of court with a settlement.

Filing a complaint with the EEOC

The unfortunate reality is that employers may only seriously entertain settlement when faced with a potential lawsuit. The first step in this process for federal claims is filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may investigate an employee’s claim and suggest corrective action.

Going to trial

An employee may pursue a lawsuit in court if an employer refuses to settle or a victim is unsatisfied with a settlement offer. While going to trial is ultimately a long and costly process, this burden is also carried by the employer. As a result, the employer may be more inclined to settle at this point.

Taking a case to court is a high-risk, high-reward situation. There are no guaranteed outcomes in a trial for either party. While it is possible for an employee to have their entire case dismissed, a positive outcome is likely to result in the highest amount of recovery. While this uncertainty is the main reason most of these cases end in settlement, a skilled attorney can leverage this to best position an employee for a successful outcome.

Get the help you need for the outcome you deserve

Whatever the best solution may be in your case, legal representation is a crucial factor in finding it. Attorneys will examine the facts of your case, identify the best path forward, and work to maximize compensation for the damages you experienced due to workplace harassment.