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Victim looking for a Santa Clara sexual harassment lawyers

Workplace sexual harassment is wrong, and you deserve legal relief if you have suffered sex-based misconduct in your work environment. The best way to recover what you deserve and hold your harasser accountable is to speak to one of our Santa Clara sexual harassment attorneys at King & Siegel LLP. Our attorneys have the extensive experience and top-level training to effectively champion the rights of sexual harassment victims in California. 

Identifying Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

What is sexual harassment? In general, sexual harassment is unwelcome, sex-based conduct outlawed by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. There are two different types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment harassment. 

Quid Pro Quo Harassment

Whether you know its name or not, you are probably most familiar with quid pro quo harassment. An employer commits this type of harassment when a manager or supervisor  requires an employee to endure unwanted, sex-based behavior to keep a job or advance professionally. A typical example of this is a supervisor stating or implying that an employee will receive a raise for performing a sexual favor for the supervisor. And this type of harassment negatively affects not only the target of the request but also coworkers who are denied professional opportunities because of their employer’s sex-based favoritism toward others. 

Hostile Work Environment Harassment

Hostile work environment harassment occurs when unwanted sex-based conduct at work is so extreme or prevalent that a reasonable person would label the harassment victim’s workplace a hostile, abusive, or intimidating place. Often, a harassment claimant must prove that there were multiple instances of misconduct before they can receive legal remedies. However, sometimes a single moment of extreme behavior from a harasser is sufficient for making a claim for damages. 

Examples of Harassment

Either type of sexual harassment can come out in multiple ways. If you have been exposed to any of the following behaviors because of gender or sex, you might have a sexual harassment claim:

  • Name-calling,
  • Non-consensual touching,
  • Displays of graphic material, 
  • Exclusion from work opportunities, 
  • Offensive jokes,
  • Staring, 
  • Comments about appearance or anatomy,
  • Exposure of private body parts, 
  • Sexually explicit conversations,
  • Slurs, 
  • Stereotyping comments, 
  • Invasions of personal space, and
  • Unwanted requests for romantic encounters.

Sexual harassment does not have to be motivated by a sexual desire to be illegal. As long as the harassment is motivated by someone’s gender or sex, it is unlawful.

I don't have words to thank you the king and Siegel team worked so hard on my case during the pandemic and I am so grateful and proud of my outcome with them. They are reasonable and reliable. Those you can trust .. everytime I had a question they would answer it I recommend them 100 percent.. am so thankful for the team .. my worries and stress are over .. a huge weight over my shoulder was lifted and was able to help my family during this hard time thank you so much king and Siegel team..
Vanessa Ponce
Vanessa Ponce
March 8, 2022
I was really nervous about hiring a lawyer but Julian and everyone in her office made the process as stress-free as it could be. She is kind, reassuring and confident and that helps make the process feel less scary. she also knows what kinds of outcomes are reasonable and will explain in detail why, and has a plan to get there. I cannot recommend her more highly.
Ines Martinez
Ines Martinez
March 8, 2022
I had the pleasure of being represented by this wonderful office and their attorneys! They were very quick about answering any questions and most times explained things so well that my questions were answered before I got the chance to ask them. I had an amazing experience, everyone is kind and very attentive to your wants and needs. A case can be very stressful and they did a great job at keeping me sane and comfortable through the entire process. I recommend them 100%.
Adrianna Sells
Adrianna Sells
October 25, 2021
This in an incredibly professional and responsive firm. There was an ease about getting initial information, scheduling, and working with their talented team. While I found it to be true of everyone that I encountered here, it was Julian Burns King that really went above and beyond. Her expertise, experience, and knowledge of employment law and its many facets coupled with her empathy and compassion for her clients, is truly one of a kind. I would absolutely recommend King & Siegel to anyone in need of legal advice or representation.
Jeri Mares
Jeri Mares
October 12, 2021
Everyone at this firm was so helpful, supportive, and nice. The settlement I got changed my life and working with them was as good as a lawsuit could possibly be. I am so glad I found them for my wrongful termination suit.
Evelyn A
Evelyn A
September 25, 2021
I’m glad I trusted the team of King & Seigel to handle my case they are the definition of professionalism. They were honest and very upfront with the process and kept me informed every step of the way not to mention I’m more than happy with the results. Thank you again to the team of King and Seigel.
Ramon Rodriguez
Ramon Rodriguez
December 9, 2020
Julian & Elliot are very good lawyers and I am glad I trusted them with my case. When I hired attorneys, I didn't know what to look for, but I am glad I found them. They were always attentive to my case and I never felt lost even though I did not have any prior experience with litigation. Ultimately, they got a result I was happy with and I am so glad I had them to help me put this experience behind me. You would be lucky to have them in your corner.
Ryan J
Ryan J
August 5, 2020
I would like to thank this amazing duo and their staff for taking care of my friend and I. They were patient and polite, very prompt, and always professional! Thank you all so much! 💜
Yanni Boo
Yanni Boo
July 15, 2020

When Is an Employer Liable for Sexual Harassment?

Actionable workplace harassment can come from anyone, including supervisors, clients, non-supervisory employees, customers, and contractors. An employer is automatically liable for harassment that comes from a supervisor. And an employer is liable for harassment that comes from non-supervisory employees and non-employees if it had control over the harasser, it knew or should have known about the harassment, and the victim can prove the following: 

  • The victim did not unreasonably fail to use the employer’s procedures to address the harassment; and 
  • The employer did not take proper action to prevent or correct the harassment. 

You have the option to sue your employer, your harasser, or both. If you are unsure who should be held responsible for the mistreatment you suffer at work, speak to one of our Santa Clara sexual harassment lawyers about the best course of action to take in your case. 

Filing a Sexual Harassment Complaint or Lawsuit

You have three options for taking legal action against an employer that initiates or allows harassment in its workplace:

If you win your lawsuit, charge, or complaint, you can receive payment for your financial losses, compensation for any emotional harm you suffered, punitive damages, legal costs, and non-monetary remedies such as job reinstatement. 

When filing a legal action, you want to make sure you choose the right government agency and follow the proper procedures. A harassment victim can complain to the DFEH about an employer of any size. But a victim can file a charge with the EEOC only if their employer has 15 or more employees. Also, an employee must first receive a notice from the EEOC or DFEH stating that they have a right to sue before they can file a harassment lawsuit in court. 

There are also time limits on your right to complain about sexual harassment. You must file an EEOC charge within 180 days (or 300 days if you have similar rights under state law). And you must file a DFEH complaint within three years. 

You should consult with an experienced sexual harassment attorney immediately after experiencing any type of harassment in your workplace. Your lawyer can timely file your legal claims and help ensure you receive the maximum relief for what you have endured.

We Are Committed to Protecting Employee Rights

At King & Siegel, we want employees across the State of California to be safe and respected in their workplaces, and we have the skills and tools to make that happen. Our experienced Santa Clara sexual harassment attorneys were educated at top law schools, trained at the biggest and best firms in the nation, and have won top honors from the legal community. But most importantly, our clients give us top reviews. 

We give each client one-on-one attention to develop unique strategies to address their specific needs. Whether you need a fierce advocate to litigate your claims or an expert negotiator to win a settlement on your behalf, we are here for you. And you do not pay us unless we win. So speak to us today about your legal needs. We want to hear your story. You can contact us online or call us now for a free consultation.

Choosing the Right Attorney Can Make All the Difference

We Get Results

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We Are Passionate About What We Do

We started King & Siegel because we believe that the same aggressive, skilled, and passionate litigation tactics we learned at big firms could and should be available to workers and consumers in their most critical legal moments—when you are harassed, assaulted, demoted, fired, defrauded, or exploited by the institutions you rely on.

Our Firm is Dedicated to Excellence

We graduated from top-five law schools, including Harvard and NYU, and trained at the country's biggest and best litigation firms. As contingency attorneys, you don't pay us unless you win, which means our incentives are 100% aligned. We win if you win. It's that simple.