"I’ve been sexually harassed at work. How much money can I get?"
The answer to that question depends on several primary factors.
Who Sexually Harassed You
If it was a president of a major company or a person of substantial prominence, your jury may award you more damages than if you were harassed by a co-worker on a similar or lower level of employment. The power dynamics involved will affect the sexual harassment claim.
The Severity of the Sexual Harassment
Cases involving physical or sexual assault will likely result in a higher jury award or settlement than a case involving heavy flirting or verbal harassment.
The Depth of the Employer's Financial Pockets
You cannot get money from an employer who has little or no money, no matter how strong the case is. While this is a brutal truth, everyone who is considering pursuing damages against their employer has to consider the resources their employer can afford to pay. No claim can change that fact.
The Quality of Your Witness
This generally means that the jury likes you as a person. Similarly, it also depends on how well the jury likes the witnesses who represent the company. In many cases, the sexual harasser will never appear at the Court as the harasser has disappeared.
The Action the Employer Took Against the Harasser
For example, was the sexual harasser fired? Or was he or she transferred?
Your Choice of a Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Lastly, the amount of your award depends upon how much the jury likes your attorney.
Ready to learn more? Contact Alan Burton Newman, a trusted Los Angeles employment law attorney.