call now
(617) 391-9001
Both state and federal laws prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace in Boston, MA. But when you’ve been sexually harassed on the job, you may be reluctant to report it for fear of retaliation from your employer. An experienced Boston sexual harassment lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can help you.
Since we were founded more than a decade ago, we’ve been fighting to protect the rights of clients like you. We’ll use our proven track record of success to help you fight to stop the harassment and get justice.
We want you to know that you don’t have to handle this situation alone. Call our law offices in Boston, Massachusetts at (617)-391-9001 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
Table of Contents
It can be incredibly difficult to deal with harassment in the workplace. It can be even more difficult to take action. Standing up for your rights can be challenging enough, but the laws governing sexual harassment claims aren’t always simple.
An experienced Boston personal injury lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can help you fight for justice. Our attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience. We know how to build a strong case that protects your best interests.
When you hire our team, we will:
If you’re being harassed at work, don’t wait to get legal help. Our Boston personal injury attorneys know what you’re going through and will stand by your side through the entire legal process. All you have to do is call or contact our Boston law office to get started.
More than 7,500 sexual harassment claims were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2018. In Boston alone, more than 20% of voters reported experiencing workplace sexual harassment.
The first step to stopping sexual harassment is reporting the conduct to your supervisor. You’ll also have to file a claim with the EEOC. They’ll investigate and determine whether to take action–and if they don’t, you still have the right to sue for damages.
The process for getting justice can be complex. Our discrimation lawyers will stand by you every step of the way. All you have to do is call to schedule a free consultation to learn more about creating an attorney client relationship.
It’s illegal to harass someone because of their sex under both the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. You might be a victim of sexual harassment under state and federal laws if you’ve suffered because of any unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace.
You have rights regardless of your gender or sexual orientation–and regardless of the other person’s gender or sexual orientation. In fact, you can be a victim of harassment even if you aren’t the person targeted by unwelcome sexual comments.
Sexual harassment might include:
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, and it is generally illegal when:
For example, if you receive a demotion or lose a promotion because you refuse to perform sexual favors, that’s known as quid pro quo sexual harassment. Massachusetts law prohibits both quid pro quo and hostile work environment harassment.
Massachusetts and federal laws also prohibit retaliation if you report sexual harassment.
Some forms of sexual harassment are criminal in nature. Your aggressor might face criminal charges if your case involves sexual assault or any unwelcome physical, sexual contact. Even if criminal charges are pending, you have the right to take action in civil court to hold the responsible parties accountable.
For most victims of workplace harassment, stopping the abuse is extremely valuable. However, don’t overlook the impact that sexual harassment can have on your life. You might have missed out on career opportunities or suffered significant emotional trauma because of a hostile work environment. Sexual harassment can even impact your physical health.
It can be hard to put a price tag on those types of losses. Our Boston sexual harassment attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience handling cases like yours. We know the right questions to ask–and how to value your complex losses.
The value of your Boston sexual harassment case can depend on many factors, including:
Don’t underestimate the effects of workplace sexual harassment. Whether you were harassed by your boss, a co-worker, or even a client, you have legal rights. Our attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP are here to help you enforce those rights.
Do you have questions about the value of your harassment claim? Call our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Sexual harassment victims are entitled to take legal action to hold their harassers and employers accountable. You may be entitled to economic damages to compensate for the financial losses you’ve suffered.
Examples of the types of economic damages available include:
You can also recover non-economic damages to make up for your intangible losses. Non-economic damages often include:
You could even be entitled to punitive damages in especially severe cases.
Remember, employers are responsible for the acts of their employees in these cases. It’s up to your employer and supervisors to take action to prevent workplace harassment in the first place. If they fail, our lawyers in Boston will fight to hold them financially accountable.
Victims of sexual harassment often suffer:
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we’ll fight to recover fair compensation for all of these losses and more. Call us today to learn more about your legal rights today.
Sexual harassment can take two basic forms in Massachusetts.
To prove quid pro quo sexual harassment, your lawyer will work to prove:
You may also have a valid claim for quid pro quo harassment if you did something because you were afraid of being fired.
A valid sexual harassment claim can also be based on a hostile work environment, which means:
In hostile work environment cases, the sexual conduct in question must generally be pervasive and ongoing. In other words, an isolated joke or comment won’t be enough to establish your claim.
Regardless of the basis for your claim, our attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can help find the evidence you need to protect your rights.
Various deadlines can apply to a complaint based on sexual harassment. For example, the EEOC gives you 180 days from the date the harassment took place to file a claim. If you’re filing under the Equal Pay Act, you have two years from the last discriminatory paycheck to file a claim.
The deadlines in sexual harassment lawsuits can vary depending on the facts. Call Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP today to learn more.
There’s never an excuse for sexual harassment. If you’re suffering from workplace harassment, an experienced Boston sexual harassment lawyer can help you stop the abuse and hold the responsible parties liable.
Contact Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, serving Boston, Suffolk County, and the neighboring communities, for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
