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Sexual harassment doesn’t just violate the law—it steals your sense of safety, derails your career, and damages your financial future. You shouldn’t have to choose between your job and your dignity.
When you work with an experienced sexual harassment attorney, you get more than legal representation. You get your power back. You get compensation that reflects the real damage done to your career and well-being. You get protection from retaliation that lets you move forward without fear.
The right legal action can secure back pay for lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, and changes in your workplace that protect you and your coworkers going forward. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.
The Howley Law Firm has been fighting for employees’ rights in New York for years, and we understand exactly what you’re facing. We know how harassment cases work under federal law, New York State law, and New York City law—and we know which protections give you the strongest case.
Marble Hill’s unique position between Manhattan and the Bronx means many of our clients work across different boroughs, dealing with employers of all sizes. Whether you work for a small local business or a major corporation with offices throughout the city, we’ve handled cases like yours.
We’ve seen how harassment affects people in every industry—from healthcare and finance to retail and hospitality. The tactics harassers use might be different, but the law is clear: what happened to you is illegal, and you have the right to fight back.
Your case starts with a free, confidential consultation where we review what happened and explain your legal options. We’ll tell you exactly what kind of harassment you experienced, what laws protect you, and what kind of compensation you might be able to recover.
If you decide to move forward, we immediately begin documenting your case and protecting you from retaliation. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build the strongest possible case while handling all communication with your employer and their lawyers.
We file complaints with the appropriate agencies—whether that’s the EEOC, the New York State Division of Human Rights, or the New York City Commission on Human Rights. We negotiate aggressively for a settlement that reflects the full impact on your career and life. If your employer won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
Throughout the process, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We handle the legal complexity so you can focus on your job search, your health, and your future.
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Sexual harassment cases in New York are covered by multiple layers of legal protection. Federal law under Title VII protects employees of companies with 15 or more workers. New York State Human Rights Law covers all employers, even those with just one employee. New York City Human Rights Law provides even broader protections with lower standards for proving your case.
This means we can often pursue your case under multiple laws simultaneously, giving you the best chance of success and the highest possible recovery. We handle both quid pro quo harassment—where supervisors demand sexual favors in exchange for job benefits—and hostile work environment cases where ongoing harassment makes your workplace unbearable.
In Marble Hill and throughout New York City, we’ve seen harassment cases in every type of workplace. Restaurant workers dealing with inappropriate customers. Office employees facing supervisors who abuse their power. Healthcare workers harassed by colleagues or patients. The specific industry doesn’t matter—the law protects you regardless of where you work or who is harassing you.
Quid pro quo harassment happens when someone with authority over your job demands sexual favors in exchange for employment benefits or threatens negative job action if you refuse. This could be a supervisor offering a promotion for a date, or threatening to fire you unless you tolerate inappropriate behavior.
Hostile work environment harassment is when unwelcome sexual conduct creates a workplace atmosphere that’s intimidating, offensive, or abusive. This might include repeated sexual jokes, displaying explicit images, unwanted touching, or persistent inappropriate comments. Unlike quid pro quo, hostile work environment harassment can come from coworkers, customers, or vendors—not just supervisors.
Both types are illegal under New York law. The key difference is that quid pro quo involves a clear exchange or threat, while hostile work environment focuses on the overall atmosphere and impact on your ability to do your job.
The time limits for filing sexual harassment claims vary depending on which law and which agency you’re using. For federal claims under Title VII, you typically have 180 to 300 days to file with the EEOC, depending on whether your state has its own enforcement agency.
Under New York State law, you have up to three years to file a lawsuit in court, or one year to file with the Division of Human Rights. New York City law also provides up to three years to file in court. However, these deadlines can be complex, and waiting too long can hurt your case even if you’re still within the legal time limit.
The sooner you act, the better. Evidence is easier to gather when incidents are fresh, witnesses remember details more clearly, and you’re better protected from ongoing harassment and retaliation. Don’t wait to get legal advice about your situation.
Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and local law. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, cut your hours, or take any other adverse action because you filed a harassment complaint or participated in an investigation.
However, illegal retaliation does happen, which is why it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation from the start. We document everything to protect you from retaliation, and if your employer does retaliate, that becomes an additional legal claim that can significantly increase your compensation.
Many of our clients continue working at their jobs throughout their cases, while others choose to leave and pursue compensation for lost wages. We help you understand your options and make the choice that’s right for your situation. Remember, you have the right to a workplace free from harassment, and you shouldn’t have to quit your job to escape illegal behavior.
Sexual harassment victims can recover several types of compensation, depending on the specific impact of the harassment on their lives and careers. Economic damages include lost wages, lost benefits, and reduced earning capacity if the harassment affected your career advancement or forced you to leave your job.
You can also recover compensation for emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and other psychological harm caused by the harassment. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the employer and deter future harassment.
Additionally, if you win your case, your employer may be required to pay your attorney’s fees and legal costs. Courts can also order injunctive relief, such as requiring your employer to implement better harassment policies, provide training, or restore you to a position you should have received. The total value of your case depends on factors like the severity of the harassment, its impact on your career, and your employer’s response when you reported it.
You’re not always required to report harassment to HR before filing a lawsuit, but doing so can strengthen your case and protect you legally. When harassment comes from a supervisor, your employer may be automatically liable regardless of whether they knew about it.
However, if the harassment comes from coworkers, customers, or vendors, your employer is only liable if they knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take appropriate action. Reporting to HR creates a clear record that your employer was aware of the problem.
There are strategic considerations about when and how to report internally. Sometimes it’s better to consult with an attorney first to understand your options and ensure you’re protected from retaliation. We can help you navigate your company’s complaint process while building the strongest possible legal case. Every situation is different, and the right approach depends on your specific circumstances and your employer’s track record of handling harassment complaints.
If you’re currently experiencing sexual harassment, start documenting everything immediately. Write down dates, times, locations, and detailed descriptions of each incident. Keep records of any emails, text messages, or other communications related to the harassment. Note any witnesses who saw or heard what happened.
Report the harassment to your employer through their established complaint process, and keep copies of all your communications with HR or management. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from dangerous situations and consider whether you need to take time off while the situation is addressed.
Contact an experienced sexual harassment attorney as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit. We can advise you on how to protect yourself legally while you’re still employed, help you understand what evidence to collect, and ensure you’re taking steps that will strengthen any potential case. Remember, you have the right to a workplace free from harassment, and getting legal advice early can help you protect both your safety and your legal rights.
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