According to a press release from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2020, the agency received 7,514 sexual harassment charges in the fiscal year of 2019. Out of the total 72,675 charges of related workplace discrimination that were received, the sexual harassment charges made up a total of 10.3% of all charges.
And while those numbers are only the reported charges, this may bring up questions for employees who believe that they are being sexually harassed at work. One question that might come to mind involves sexual harassment lawsuit settlements. Below, we will look at how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit and how much a sexual harassment lawsuit may be worth.
How to File a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
When we look at how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit under The federal law, the process typically will start with filing a charge with the EEOC. According to the EEOC, you must file a charge within 180 days of the discrimination occurring. For federal employees specifically, have 45 days to contact an EEO counselor.
From there, once the file is charged, the EEOC will investigate the petition. This investigation is to determine if there is reasonable cause to determine or believe that the harassment took place and to see if both parties are unable to resolve the matter.
After the EEOC has investigated, they will issue a Notice of Right to Sue. The Notice of Right to Sue affords the person who filed the charge the permission they need to file a lawsuit in either federal or state court. A sexual harassment lawsuit for Ohio or any other state through this means must be filed within 90 days of receipt of the notice.
Working with a lawyer who has experience in filing and handling sexual harassment lawsuits and negotiating settlements is certainly recommended! An experienced attorney will be able to work with you on strategizing your steps before, during, and after the filing process. And they will be able to answer more specific questions tied to how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit in Ohio.
For more information regard to how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit in Ohio, Ohio’s Department of Administrative Services has an FAQ available and you can also reach out to the Coffman Legal firm for a free and confidential consultation with one of our sexual harassment lawyers.
- Punitive damages might be awarded if your employer knew about the harassment but took no steps to stop it.
- Compensatory damages will be damages that cover things such as the emotional stress that was caused, any out-of-pocket expenses that you accrue (such as medical costs), and damage to your reputation.
Based on federal law, there are limits to the amounts of compensatory and punitive damages that a person can recover from sexual harassment lawsuit settlements. According to the EEOC, the limits are as follows:
- For employers with 15-100 employees, the limit is $50,000.
- For employers with 101-200 employees, the limit is $100,000.
- For employers with 201-500 employees, the limit is $200,000.
- For employers with more than 500 employees, the limit is $300,000.
How Much is a Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Worth?
Once the question of how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit is answered, you may wonder how much a sexual harassment lawsuit is worth. Sexual harassment lawsuit settlements will all vary due to each case being different, so there is no set number that a sexual harassment lawsuit in Ohio may be worth. Each case comes with its own variables and certain harassment may be viewed as worthy of more compensation than other harassment.
Notwithstanding that there are many variables that could affect a potential settlement or judgment in a sexual harassment case, we can provide you with information regarding the different variables and also educate you regarding the types of possible damages that can be requested and sought. We will fight to ensure that your rights are protected and will work with you to seek the appropriate relief.
Contact Our Ohio Sexual Harassment Lawyers for Assistance with Your Sexual Harassment Lawsuit in Ohio
Here at Coffman Legal, our team is completely committed to protecting your rights as an employee. If you believe that you are being sexually harassed at work and have further questions on how to file a sexual harassment lawsuit, reach out to our experienced team of employment lawyers. We offer free and confidential consultations.
Reach our sexual harassment attorneys at 614-949-1181 or online today.
