Sexual Harassment Attorney in Flatlands, NY
Stop Workplace Harassment. Reclaim Your Dignity.
Hear from Our Customers
Brooklyn Sexual Harassment Lawyer
When harassment stops controlling your life, everything changes. You sleep better knowing your rights are protected. Your career moves forward without the constant fear of retaliation. You get the financial compensation you deserve for the trauma and lost opportunities.
The path forward isn’t just about winning a case. It’s about reclaiming the respect and dignity that should have been yours all along. With the right legal representation, you can hold your harasser accountable while protecting your reputation and future career prospects.
Real results matter. That’s why we have secured significant settlements, including an $800,000 victory for a harassment victim. Your case deserves the same level of aggressive, strategic representation that gets results.
Experienced Sexual Harassment Attorney Flatlands
The Howley Law Firm brings over 30 years of trial experience to every sexual harassment case in Flatlands, NY. Attorney John Howley has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and secured major victories, including an $80 million race discrimination settlement.
Before focusing on individual rights, we represented Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, Texaco, and Citibank for 20 years. Now we use that same high-level legal strategy to fight for harassment victims. We understand how corporations think and operate, which gives our clients a significant advantage.
The diverse Flatlands community deserves legal representation that understands the unique challenges facing working families in Brooklyn. Whether you’re dealing with a hostile supervisor or systematic workplace harassment, we know how to navigate New York’s complex employment laws to protect your rights and your future.
Sexual Harassment Case Process NY
First, we listen to your story during a free, confidential consultation. Every detail matters, and we’ll help you understand exactly what happened and what laws were broken. You’ll leave knowing your rights and options without any pressure to move forward.
Next, we investigate and document everything. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building a comprehensive case file. We handle all communications with your employer and their lawyers, so you can focus on your job and your life while we handle the legal strategy.
Finally, we fight for maximum compensation through negotiation or trial. Most cases settle confidentially before reaching court, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This approach often leads to higher settlement offers because employers know we’re serious about fighting for you. You only pay attorney fees if we win your case.
Ready to get started?
NYC Sexual Harassment Law
Your sexual harassment case includes comprehensive legal representation under federal, New York State, and New York City laws. The NYC Human Rights Law provides stronger protections than federal law, allowing us to pursue claims for even subtle forms of harassment that create hostile work environments.
In Flatlands and throughout Brooklyn, we see harassment cases involving quid pro quo situations, hostile work environments, and retaliation against employees who report misconduct. Our representation covers all forms of workplace sexual harassment, including verbal abuse, unwanted touching, sexual comments, and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.
Brooklyn’s diverse workforce faces unique challenges. With 40% of Flatlands residents born outside the United States, language barriers and immigration concerns often prevent victims from reporting harassment. We provide multilingual services and understand the additional vulnerabilities facing immigrant workers, women of color, and employees in industries like hospitality and domestic work where harassment rates are particularly high.
What types of sexual harassment cases do you handle in Flatlands, NY?
We handle all forms of workplace sexual harassment cases in Flatlands and throughout Brooklyn, including quid pro quo harassment, hostile work environment claims, and retaliation cases. Quid pro quo occurs when employment decisions like hiring, firing, or promotions are based on submitting to or rejecting sexual advances.
Hostile work environment cases involve unwelcome sexual conduct that’s severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, offensive workplace. This includes sexual comments, inappropriate touching, sexual jokes, or displaying sexual materials. Under New York City Human Rights Law, even subtle harassment that treats you “less well” than other employees can be actionable.
We also represent clients facing retaliation for reporting harassment or refusing sexual advances. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduced hours, negative reviews, or other adverse employment actions. New York law strictly prohibits retaliation against employees who report harassment or participate in harassment investigations.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in New York?
In New York, you have different time limits depending on which law you’re filing under. For federal claims under Title VII, you must file with the EEOC within 300 days of the harassment. For New York State Human Rights Law claims, you have one year from the incident. New York City Human Rights Law gives you three years to file.
However, these deadlines can be complex, especially if harassment occurred over time or if you’re dealing with ongoing retaliation. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better we can preserve evidence and protect your rights. Some evidence like emails, text messages, or witness testimony can disappear quickly if not preserved properly.
Don’t wait until the last minute to seek legal help. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes because we can advise you on documenting ongoing harassment and protecting yourself from retaliation. Even if you’re not sure you want to file a lawsuit, consulting with an experienced attorney helps you understand your options and deadlines.
What compensation can I receive for workplace sexual harassment in Brooklyn?
Sexual harassment victims in Brooklyn can recover several types of compensation, including back pay for lost wages, front pay for future lost earnings, and compensatory damages for emotional distress and pain and suffering. You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the harassment was particularly egregious or if your employer failed to take appropriate corrective action.
Additional compensation can include attorney’s fees and court costs, which means you don’t pay legal fees unless we win your case. If you were wrongfully terminated due to harassment or retaliation, you could recover reinstatement to your job or compensation in lieu of reinstatement. We’ve secured significant settlements for harassment victims, including an $800,000 recovery for an individual client.
The amount of compensation depends on factors like the severity and duration of harassment, impact on your career and earnings, emotional distress suffered, and your employer’s response to your complaints. New York City Human Rights Law allows for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages, while federal law caps certain damages based on employer size. We evaluate every potential source of recovery to maximize your compensation.
Will my employer retaliate against me for filing a harassment complaint?
Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and city law, but it unfortunately happens. That’s why having experienced legal representation is crucial from the beginning. We help you document everything properly and know how to spot retaliation tactics that employers commonly use.
Common forms of retaliation include termination, demotion, reduced hours, negative performance reviews, exclusion from meetings or projects, and creating a more hostile work environment. Some employers try subtle retaliation like changing your schedule, relocating your workspace, or giving you impossible assignments hoping you’ll quit.
If retaliation occurs, it actually strengthens your legal case and can result in additional compensation. We’ve successfully represented clients who faced retaliation, and employers often pay significant damages for retaliatory conduct. The key is having proper documentation and legal representation to protect you throughout the process. We work strategically to minimize retaliation risk while building the strongest possible case for you.
How much does it cost to hire a sexual harassment attorney in Flatlands?
We handle sexual harassment cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case through settlement or trial verdict. This allows you to get experienced legal representation without upfront costs or hourly billing that could cost thousands of dollars.
When we win your case, our fee comes from the recovery amount, and in many cases, the law requires your employer to pay your attorney’s fees separately. This means you often receive your full compensation amount without reduction for legal fees. We also advance all case expenses like filing fees, expert witness costs, and investigation expenses.
During your free initial consultation, we’ll explain exactly how our fee structure works and what you can expect throughout the legal process. We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we’ve structured our practice to align our interests with yours – we only succeed when you succeed.
What should I do if I'm experiencing sexual harassment at work right now?
If you’re currently experiencing sexual harassment, your safety is the top priority. Start documenting everything immediately – write down dates, times, locations, witnesses, and exactly what was said or done. Save any text messages, emails, or other evidence. Take photos of inappropriate materials if it’s safe to do so.
Report the harassment to your supervisor or HR department in writing if you feel safe doing so. Keep copies of your complaint and any responses. If the harasser is your supervisor or if HR isn’t responsive, you may need to report to higher management. However, don’t feel pressured to handle this alone – contact an experienced attorney who can guide you through the reporting process strategically.
Call us immediately for a free consultation, even if you’re not sure you want to file a lawsuit. We can advise you on protecting yourself legally while you’re still employed, help you understand your rights, and explain how to preserve evidence properly. Early legal advice often prevents situations from getting worse and preserves more options for resolution. You don’t have to suffer in silence or handle this alone.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Flatlands