Sexual Harassment Attorney in Prospect Heights, NY
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Prospect Heights Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Sexual harassment doesn’t just make work unbearable—it damages your mental health, derails your career, and robs you of opportunities you’ve earned. You’re dealing with sleepless nights, anxiety about going to work, and watching your professional reputation suffer while the person who hurt you faces no consequences.
When you win your case, everything changes. You get compensation for the wages you lost, the promotions you were denied, and the emotional trauma you endured. More importantly, you get your power back and the satisfaction of holding wrongdoers accountable.
We have recovered millions for harassment victims across New York, including an $80 million class action settlement and a $1 million individual settlement. We know what it takes to win these cases because we’ve been doing it for over 30 years.
Brooklyn Employment Discrimination Attorney
John Howley spent 20 years as a partner at one of the country’s largest corporate law firms, representing companies like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony in their biggest lawsuits. He argued cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and learned exactly how corporate legal teams operate.
Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for individual employees in Prospect Heights and throughout Brooklyn. When your employer’s lawyers try to minimize your case or deny responsibility, we know their playbook because we wrote it.
Prospect Heights workers deserve the same caliber of legal representation that Fortune 500 companies receive. That’s exactly what you get when you work with us—big law expertise dedicated entirely to your success.
Sexual Harassment Case Process Brooklyn
Your case begins with a completely confidential consultation where we listen to your story without judgment. We’ll explain your rights under New York’s strong anti-harassment laws and discuss the compensation you could recover, including back pay, emotional distress damages, and punitive damages.
We immediately start building your case by gathering evidence, documenting the harassment pattern, and interviewing witnesses. This investigation phase is crucial because harassment cases often come down to credibility, and we need compelling proof to overcome your employer’s inevitable denials.
Finally, we take action through the appropriate legal channels. This might mean filing with the EEOC, New York State Division of Human Rights, or going directly to court. We handle all the complex legal procedures while keeping you informed and protected from retaliation. Most cases settle favorably, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you justice.
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Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Attorney
We handle the full spectrum of sexual harassment cases affecting Prospect Heights workers. This includes quid pro quo harassment where supervisors demand sexual favors in exchange for promotions, raises, or job security. We also represent victims of hostile work environment harassment involving persistent inappropriate comments, unwanted touching, or sexually explicit materials that make work unbearable.
Brooklyn’s diverse workforce faces unique challenges, with recent studies showing that 22% of New York workers have experienced workplace harassment. New York law is particularly strong, requiring all employers—even those with just one employee—to maintain harassment-free workplaces and provide annual training to prevent these situations.
Our comprehensive representation covers everything from the initial complaint through final resolution. We work exclusively on contingency, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Available damages include lost wages, future earnings, emotional distress compensation, punitive damages, and attorney fees—often totaling hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
What constitutes sexual harassment under New York law in Prospect Heights?
New York law defines sexual harassment very broadly to protect workers. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects your employment. This covers quid pro quo harassment where job benefits depend on sexual compliance, as well as hostile work environment situations.
The harassment doesn’t have to be severe to be illegal under New York law—even conduct that might seem minor can violate your rights if it’s persistent or affects your work. Examples include inappropriate comments about your body, unwanted touching, sexual jokes or images, and demands for dates or sexual favors. New York’s standard is much more protective than federal law, giving you stronger legal options.
How much money can I recover in a sexual harassment lawsuit?
Sexual harassment settlements and verdicts in New York can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on several factors. You can recover back pay for wages lost due to harassment, future lost earnings if your career was damaged, and compensatory damages for emotional distress, anxiety, and other psychological harm.
New York also allows punitive damages designed to punish particularly egregious conduct, which can significantly increase your recovery. We’ve secured a $1 million settlement for an individual harassment victim and an $80 million class action settlement. The key is building a strong case that documents both the harassment and its impact on your life and career.
Should I report sexual harassment to HR before calling a lawyer?
While reporting to HR can strengthen your legal case, it’s not always required and isn’t always the safest option. Some companies genuinely investigate and address harassment complaints, but others protect the harasser or retaliate against victims who speak up.
The decision depends on your specific workplace dynamics and safety concerns. If you do report internally, document everything—your complaint, the company’s response, and any changes in your treatment afterward. Whether you report first or call us first, we’ll help you navigate the process strategically to maximize your legal protection and minimize the risk of retaliation.
What are the time limits for filing sexual harassment claims in New York?
Time limits vary depending on which law you’re filing under, but New York generally gives you more time than federal law. For New York State Human Rights Law claims, you typically have one year from the harassment. Federal EEOC claims must be filed within 300 days in New York.
However, these deadlines can be complicated when harassment is ongoing, as each incident may restart the clock. Some violations also toll the deadline, meaning it doesn’t start running until you discover certain facts. The safest approach is to consult with an attorney immediately after harassment occurs to preserve all your legal options and ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
Can my employer fire me for reporting sexual harassment?
Absolutely not. Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under both federal and New York law. Your employer cannot fire, demote, reduce your pay, give you poor evaluations, or otherwise punish you for filing a harassment complaint or participating in an investigation.
If retaliation does occur, it becomes a separate legal violation that can actually increase your damages significantly. We’ve represented many clients who were wrongfully terminated after reporting harassment, and these retaliation claims often result in substantial additional compensation. We also work proactively to protect you from retaliation throughout the legal process.
What evidence do I need to prove my sexual harassment case?
The best evidence varies by case, but documentation is crucial. Save any emails, texts, or written communications related to the harassment. Keep detailed notes about incidents, including dates, times, locations, witnesses, and exactly what was said or done.
Witness testimony from coworkers who saw the harassment or noticed changes in your treatment can be powerful evidence. Medical records showing anxiety, depression, or other health impacts also support your case. Even if you don’t have perfect documentation, don’t assume you can’t win—we’ve successfully handled many cases that initially seemed to have limited evidence by conducting thorough investigations that uncovered additional proof.
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