Sexual harassment in the workplace isn’t just unacceptable—it’s illegal under both federal and New York laws. However, proving workplace sexual harassment can be challenging for employees without the right legal representation and strong evidence. At Levine & Blit, our experienced New York sexual harassment attorneys are committed to helping victims prove the employer’s liability by collecting compelling evidence and engaging in aggressive settlement negotiations or courtroom battles on their behalf for the recovery of maximum damages.
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Sexual Harassment in New York Workplaces
In New York, sexual harassment can take many forms, but it generally falls into two categories:
- Quid Pro Quo Harassment: When job benefits (such as promotions, raises, or job security) are conditioned on submitting to unwanted sexual advances, it constitutes sexual harassment.
- Hostile Work Environment: When unwelcome sexual advances or behavior of a sexual nature creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive workplace, interfering with your ability to work.
Sexual harassment is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). These laws allow victims to report sexual harassment, file complaints, lawsuits, and pursue compensation for the harm they have suffered.
Why You Need Legal Representation
Proving sexual harassment requires collecting and presenting evidence that meets the legal standards for harassment claims. Without proper representation, you may face difficulties in gathering evidence, countering employer defenses, or navigating the legal system. This is where Levine & Blit comes in. Our NYC sexual harassment attorneys will leave no stone unturned to ensure your case is thoroughly investigated, properly documented, and aggressively pursued for maximum damages.
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How Our NYC Sexual Harassment Lawyers Will Prove Liability of Your Employer
To build a strong case, our attorneys for sexual harassment or sexual assault in New York City will move fast to collect evidence that supports your claims. The key evidence we may collect includes:
Documentation of Incidents
Maintaining a detailed record of harassment incidents helps prove your case, including any forms of reporting workplace sexual harassment to your superiors or HR team. Our lawyers will help you compile and organize this documentation, which may include:
- Written Records: Notes or journals where you have documented incidents, such as requests for sexual favors, including dates, times, locations, and details of what occurred.
- Emails, Text Messages, and Chats: Any inappropriate messages, photos, or videos sent by the harasser. Even deleted messages can sometimes be retrieved with the proper legal processes.
- Workplace Policies and Training Materials: Documents showing whether your employer had proper anti-harassment policies and whether they provided sexual harassment training.
Witness Testimonies
Witness testimonies can play a vital role in corroborating your claims. Our experienced sexual harassment attorney in New York will identify and interview individuals who may have:
- Observed the harassment or its aftermath.
- Experienced similar unwanted sexual behavior from the same harasser.
- Knowledge of the workplace culture that enabled the harassment, including harassment related to sexual orientation or gender discrimination.
Our attorneys will ensure these witnesses are properly prepared to provide sworn statements or testify in court to bolster your case against unlawful sexual harassment in New York.
Employer Responses
The way your employer responds to a sexual harassment complaint can also serve as evidence. Our New York City sexual harassment attorneys will request and review:
- Internal Complaint Records: Evidence of your complaints to supervisors or HR, including emails, meeting notes, and follow-up correspondence.
- Disciplinary Actions: Records showing whether the employer took appropriate disciplinary action against the harasser.
- Retaliation Evidence: Any actions taken against you after reporting the harassment, such as demotions, pay cuts, or terminations.
Audio and Visual Evidence
In some cases, audio or visual recordings can provide indisputable proof of harassment. While New York is a one-party consent state (which means, you can record conversations you are part of without notifying others), it is essential to follow legal guidelines to avoid compromising your case. Our New York sexual harassment lawyers will ensure any recordings are admissible in court.
Performance Reviews and Employment Records
Employers typically argue that harassment claims are fabricated or motivated by poor job performance. We will gather:
- Performance Reviews: Records showing your work history and achievements to counter any claims of poor performance.
- Employment Contracts and Records: Documents to establish your job responsibilities, tenure, and any retaliatory actions taken by the employer.
Evidence of Psychological Impact
Sexual harassment often causes significant emotional distress, anxiety, and other psychological harm. Our lawyers may work with medical professionals to obtain evidence of the impact on your mental health, such as:
- Medical Records: Showing diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or other conditions caused by the harassment.
- Therapist Notes: Documentation from counseling sessions that supports your claim of emotional distress.
Patterns of Behavior
If the harasser has targeted other employees, it may establish a pattern of behavior that strengthens your case. We will investigate whether:
- Other employees have filed complaints against the harasser.
- The employer was aware of the employee behavior that could be considered sexual harassment but failed to act.
Expert Testimony
In some cases, expert testimony may be necessary to explain the psychological, professional, or financial impact of experiencing workplace sexual harassment. We work with:
- Psychologists and Therapists: To testify about the emotional toll.
- Economic Experts: To calculate lost wages or career damage caused by the harassment.
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How Our Sexual Harassment Lawyers NYC Will Maximize Your Compensation
At Levine & Blit, we understand that coming forward with a sexual harassment claim takes immense courage. Our New York sexual harassment attorney team combines compassionate client service with aggressive legal strategies to ensure you are protected, supported, and empowered throughout the process. Here are the key steps we will take to maximize your chances of success.
Conduct a Thorough Investigation
Our attorneys will leave no stone unturned in gathering the evidence needed to prove your sexual harassment claim. Here’s how we do it:
- Detailed Fact-Finding Interviews: We will work closely with you to understand the full scope of your experience, identifying key incidents, witnesses, and any supporting documentation.
- Reviewing Workplace Records: This includes personnel files, HR complaint records, training documents, and policies related to workplace harassment and retaliation.
- Preserving Electronic Evidence: Emails, text messages, social media interactions, and chat logs are often critical in proving harassment. We use legal tools to request and preserve electronic communications from both you and the employer.
- Witness Testimonies: Our team will interview coworkers, supervisors, or other individuals who may have witnessed the harassment or its impact on you.
- Analyzing Employer Conduct: We investigate how your employer handled your complaints (if any were made), identifying failures to address or prevent the harassment.
By conducting this comprehensive investigation, we ensure no detail is overlooked, building a case that is as strong as possible from the outset.
Handle All Communications with Diligence
Navigating conversations with your employer, their attorneys, or insurance companies can be intimidating and emotionally taxing. We take this burden off your shoulders by:
- Acting as Your Voice: We represent you in all interactions with your employer, ensuring that your rights are clearly communicated and respected.
- Protecting Against Retaliation: Many victims of sexual harassment fear retaliation. We will address any retaliatory actions immediately and aggressively, whether they involve demotion, termination, or workplace hostility.
- Managing Administrative Communications: Whether it is filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR), we handle the paperwork, deadlines, and correspondence required to advance your case.
By serving as your legal advocate, we protect you from unnecessary stress and help you stay focused on healing and moving forward.
Calculate the Full Extent of Your Damages
Sexual harassment often causes emotional, financial, and professional harm. At Levine & Blit, we are committed to securing full and fair compensation for the damages you have endured. We focus on recovering:
- Emotional Distress: Harassment can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. We work with medical professionals and mental health experts to quantify these damages and include them in your claim.
- Lost Wages and Job Opportunities: If the harassment or retaliation impacted your career—whether through job loss, reduced opportunities, or diminished earning potential—we will calculate the full extent of your financial loss.
- Reputational Harm: Sexual harassment can damage your professional reputation and relationships. We seek compensation for the harm done to your standing in your workplace or industry.
- Punitive Damages: To hold the employer accountable and discourage similar behavior in the future, we pursue punitive damages when applicable.
We don’t settle for lowball settlement offers; our goal is to achieve a resolution that fully addresses the harm you have suffered.
Pursue the Legal Process with Care
The legal process for sexual harassment claims can be complex, but our attorneys have deep knowledge of New York’s sexual harassment laws and procedures. Here’s how we will support you:
- Administrative Filings: In New York, sexual harassment claims may be filed with the NYCCHR, EEOC, or through a private lawsuit. We will determine the best path for your case and ensure all complaints are filed correctly and on time.
- Responding to Employer Defenses: Employers often argue that no harassment occurred or that they took adequate steps to address the problem. We counter these defenses with strong evidence and legal arguments.
- Handling Legal Deadlines: We ensure that your case complies with all statutory deadlines, such as the statute of limitations for filing complaints or lawsuits.
Whether through administrative proceedings or litigation, we’ll represent you and stand by your side every step of the way.
Aggressively Negotiate a Settlement
Many sexual harassment cases in New York City are resolved through settlements, but not all settlements are created equal. At Levine & Blit, we approach negotiations with an aggressive, evidence-backed strategy to maximize your compensation:
- Demonstrating Employer Liability: By presenting undeniable evidence of harassment and any employer negligence, we build a strong case that puts pressure on the other side to offer a fair settlement.
- Highlighting Damages: We carefully document the emotional, financial, and professional harm you have endured while you were sexually harassed at work to strengthen your negotiating position.
- Ensuring Accountability: Our goal is not just compensation through a sexual harassment lawsuit—it is also to hold the harasser and your employer accountable for their actions.
If the employer fails to offer a satisfactory settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Trial Preparation from Day One
At Levine & Blit, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial. This approach demonstrates our resolve and gives us a strategic advantage in negotiations. Here’s how we ensure trial readiness:
- Building a Compelling Narrative: We construct a clear, persuasive story of what happened, supported by strong evidence and testimony.
- Pre-Trial Motions and Discovery: We file motions to compel the release of critical evidence, depose key witnesses, and build a robust case through discovery.
- Courtroom Advocacy: If your case goes to trial, our attorneys are seasoned litigators who know how to present evidence effectively, cross-examine witnesses, and argue your case to a judge or jury.
This diligent and proactive preparation not only ensures you are ready for court but also signals to the employer that we will not back down against pressure, and we are prepared to take the legal battle to court if a satisfactory out-of-court settlement is not reached.
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Get High-Powered Legal Representation from Our NY Sexual Harassment Attorneys
With decades of experience in employment law, our attorneys at Levine & Blit are leaders in handling sexual harassment cases in New York. We have a proven track record of success in holding employers accountable and achieving large financial settlements and verdicts for our clients. We understand the courage it takes to stand up against harassment, and we are here to provide the legal support you need to reclaim your dignity and move forward.
If you have suffered sexual harassment at work, don’t wait. Reach out to our experienced New York sexual harassment attorneys at Levine & Blit today. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and fight relentlessly to protect your rights. You deserve justice and compensation—and we are here to help you achieve it. Call us at 646-461-6838 for a free phone evaluation or contact us online.