Temecula Sexual Harassment Attorney

Sexual Harassment Attorney in Temecula, CA

Every employee deserves a safe place to work. Feeling secure and respected in a professional environment should be the standard. Unfortunately, countless Temecula employees experience sexual harassment in the workplace every year. If you or a coworker has been subject to sexual harassment at work in Temecula, it’s vital that you hold your employer accountable. A Temecula sexual harassment attorney can evaluate your case, help you file a claim, and advocate for your rights today.

Our Temecula Attorneys

Raymond E.Hane III

Our Founding Attorney

Nicholas A.Hane, Esq.

Trial Counsel

Meet Our Team

Trusted Legal Aid for Temecula Employees

While you’re not obligated to work with a defense lawyer, it can be highly beneficial to your case. At California Employment Counsel, APC, our team of dedicated attorneys has spent years protecting the rights and careers of California employees. We understand how daunting it can be to file a sexual harassment claim and are prepared to stand as your legal advocate through every step of the process. Don’t wait to speak up for yourself and your right to a safe workplace.

Sexual Harassment Policies in Temecula, California

Riverside County is home to flourishing cities and industries, helping to employ thousands of residents across the state. Currently, retail and healthcare are the two leading industries in Riverside County, with more than 135,000 employees and 142,000 employees, respectively.

Whether they have one employee or thousands, California employers are required by law to put forth a reasonable effort to prevent sexual harassment, and they can be held liable for any acts of sexual harassment that occur in the workplace. In fact, California sexual harassment laws require all employers with five or more employees to establish some form of a sexual harassment policy to ensure situations can be handled properly if they arise.

This also means that employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and addressing any claims of sexual harassment. Workers can seek compensation from their employer if sexual harassment in the workplace occurs, even if the employer themselves isn’t the perpetrator.

How to Address Workplace Sexual Harassment in Temecula

If you’re experiencing sexual harassment in your Temecula workplace, you should file a claim with your employer immediately. Your employer is likely required to have a policy in place and should begin addressing your claim immediately. However, it’s wise to explore other legal avenues with an attorney, so you can understand all of your options and potential avenues for recovering damages.

In addition to filing with your company, you can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) at the state level or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at the federal level. These agencies cross-file with each other, so you don’t have to file with both. It’s important to note that you must file a complaint with the CRD within three years of the last incident.

When you file with the CRD, it’s important to have the following information:

• Copies of all documents and evidence related to your claim
• Names and information about all involved parties
• Specific facts and records about all incidents that occurred
• Witness information (if possible)

If your claim is accepted, the party you are filing against must then respond. The CRD or EEOC then reviews the response with you to determine if further action is needed. If they find the response unsatisfactory, they may attempt to resolve the issue through conciliation, or they may refer the case to their legal division for dispute resolution.

You must file with the CRD if you intend to seek further legal action for a sexual harassment case in court. The CRD typically requires that you go to mediation to attempt to reach a settlement agreement out of court before going to trial.

Damages Recovered From Sexual Harassment Cases in Temecula

In the fiscal year 2024, the EEOC secured nearly $700 million for over 21,000 employees who filed employment discrimination claims across the country. Around the same time, the CRD secured $116.5 million in relief for claimants filing for some form of discrimination, harassment, or hate violence.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, our goal is to support employees in their quest to seek accountability. We believe in approaching these sensitive issues with a combination of respect for the victims and aggressive pursuit of results from the organizations in question. With a Temecula sexual harassment lawyer from our firm by your side, it’s much easier to manage your case.

When you file a claim for sexual harassment, the goal is to receive compensation to make up for the experiences you had to endure. There are several different types of damages you can recover for sexual harassment in California, including:

• Legal fees from the case
• Lost wages and benefits
• Medical expenses

What Our Clients Say

Melissa M.

Ray and Nick were an amazing team to work with during a very hard time in my life. Both worked diligently on a resolution and I am happy to say…

Angelina M.

I was lost and calling around for advice to help me with my work situations. Nick was there to help me through it all even when he wasn’t my lawyer…

Emily B.

When I first reached out to Ray and Melissa, I had been terminated from my position for complaining of sexual harassment. Immediately I knew I was in good hands with…

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Handling Employer Retaliation in Temecula

In some cases, informing your employer about an instance of sexual harassment may actually be the start of a bigger battle. In California and throughout the rest of the country, you have the right to perform certain protected acts as an employee. This includes reporting unlawful or unwanted situations in the workplace.

One survey showed that 116 of 216 workers surveyed feared retaliation for reporting workplace violations.

If you feel that your employer is acting differently toward you because you filed a sexual harassment claim, you may be entitled to seek further legal recourse against them. This behavior is known as employer retaliation, and it is illegal. Common forms of employer retaliation include:

• Exclusion from team meetings
• Negative performance reviews
• Salary reduction
• Unexplained demotions
• Unfavorable work assignments
• Wrongful termination

In these situations, a skilled Temecula employment law attorney can be an invaluable resource to your case. In addition to conducting their own investigations, they can use their access to resources and experience to fight for your rights and advocate for you in court. An employment attorney has the knowledge needed to build a claim that helps point out the illegal behaviors your employer has demonstrated.

Penalties for Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment penalties can come in various forms. Unlike federal law, California generally does not place a statutory cap on the amount of compensatory punitive damages that can be awarded. Common penalties companies may face include:

• Back pay. Wages and benefits lost from the period of wrongful termination until the trial may be ordered to be paid out.
• Front pay. Companies may also be required to pay for future lost earnings if a victim of sexual harassment cannot return to their position.
• Out-of-pocket-expenses. Costs for medical care, therapy, and job search expenses may be recovered in some cases.

Some settlements can also include non-economic compensation for the intangible harm suffered by victims. For example, the emotional distress of harassment can cause pain and suffering in the form of long-term anxiety and traumatic moments of humiliation. 

In addition, a person may also receive punitive damages, as these are designed to dissuade future instances of misconduct. This is most common in situations where behavior was especially malicious. 

Some case results also include non-monetary results, such as reinstatement to a previous position or achievement of a promotion that was wrongfully denied. Employees and employers may also be required to enact mandatory sexual harassment training or create and demonstrate changes to company policies and practices.

Finally, an employer may also be required to cover an employee’s legal fees. With our firm, there are no fees unless you win, making our services financially accessible for all. 

Defenses That Could Be Used in a Case

Sexual harassment cases are often very high-profile situations for companies, so it’s expected that they will bring strong defense strategies. It is on the accuser and their lawyer to demonstrate proof of the incident or incidents. However, while the accused may use defense strategies, our law firm can help you counter these and pursue accountability for what happened to you.

Common defenses an employer may use include arguing:

• The conduct was not severe or pervasive. They may state that the actions were isolated, minor, or not serious enough to create a hostile work environment.
• The employer took immediate corrective action. An employer may argue that if they were previously informed of the issue, they took steps to investigate and stop the harassment. 
• The employee never reported the harassment. One of the most common tactics a company will use is to claim they never knew about the harassment to address it.
• The behavior was consensual or misunderstood. Some employers claim that harassment was actually mutual banter or that it was not unwelcome until an employee changed their mind.
• The perceived retaliation was professionally motivated. In accusations of retaliation, some employers may claim decisions were completely unrelated to harassment claims.

While a company may bring strong defenses against allegations, our legal team can help you address each one skillfully. This can include highlighting patterns, spotlighting failure to act, proving unreliable reporting mechanisms, showing conduct was inappropriate, and pointing out changes in employee treatment. 

With us by your side, you can put the facts on display and seek accountability. Not only do we know the defenses that companies may use to try to cover up illegal behavior, but we also know how to professionally address them with an uncompromising pursuit of justice.

Hire a Temecula Sexual Harassment Attorney Today

Filing a sexual harassment claim in Temecula can be an overwhelming task to perform on your own. Luckily, there are compassionate lawyers who are willing to guide you through the process and support you with each legal battle you take on.

At California Employment Counsel, APC, our attorneys are devoted to advocating for California employees and their rights to safe workplaces. We have helped countless employees secure compensation and hold their California employers accountable, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We’ve earned many positive reviews for our commitment to protecting employees and their right to a safe workplace. To hire a sexual harassment attorney, reach out to our firm today.

Temecula Employment Law Resources

• Handling Sexual Harassment Involving Non-Employees
• When Nothing Gets Done After Filing Your Sexual Harassment Complaint
• Who Is at Risk for Workplace Sexual Harassment?
• Sexual Harassment Training in the Workplace – Does it Work?
• How should my employer handle sexual harassment?