San Diego, CA Workplace Harassment Lawyer

When you go to work in San Diego, whether it be in an office, store, factory, or other location, you deserve to feel safe and receive respect from your co-workers, managers, and others you work with. You and others you work with may even take training to understand the signs and harms of workplace harassment to prevent such occurrences. Unfortunately, many people experience harassment in the workplace in several forms, including sexual harassment, offensive insults/comments, and personal attacks. 

In California, workplace harassment becomes illegal when it creates a hostile work environment that a reasonable person would not be able to tolerate. For example, your employer or someone you work with may penalize you for refusing sexual advances, use offensive slurs/comments, or make physical or verbal threats. However, you may not know how to protect your rights in these situations, as these claims often have complex legal challenges.

At Jassim Law, we understand the intricacies of workplace harassment claims and use our 20+ years of experience handling complex claims to fight for your rights and the justice you deserve. Our compassionate team takes a personalized approach, listening to your story and creating an innovative strategy based on your unique needs and circumstances. With this dedication and our commitment to keeping communities safe, we have received countless positive client reviews and have a proven track record of success that gives you peace of mind. 

What Constitutes Workplace Harassment in San Diego?

If you have a co-worker, manager, or supervisor who makes you uncomfortable, it’s important to know what California considers workplace harassment before taking legal action. Petty nuisances and minor one-off jokes may not be considered workplace harassment, but if the behavior created an abusive or hostile work environment and was motivated by a protected class or characteristic, such as race, sex, religion, gender, or marital status, it may be considered unlawful. Persistent and pervasive comments could be harassment. 

Most workplace harassment falls under one of the following categories:

• Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment can take many forms, including showing inappropriate photos, making vulgar jokes, unwanted advances or touching, or making sexual requests as a condition of receiving some sort of benefit, like a promotion or raise. 
• Hostile Work Environment Harassment: This type of harassment includes non-sexual behavior, such as workplace bullying, offensive jokes, or rude comments. These actions are often based on sex, religion, gender, race, and other protected characteristics, making them illegal. 

Our knowledgeable lawyers understand the federal and state workplace harassment laws, including protected characteristics, that may apply to your case. Moreover, with our transparent and reliable communication, you can make informed decisions for your future and better understand your rights and legal options.

Legal Implications of Workplace Harassment Claims

If you are a victim of workplace harassment, you may feel frustrated but intimidated by the legal process, which can be complicated. Fortunately, our skilled lawyers at Jassim Law understand the legal elements of these claims, which include the following:

Liability and Retaliation

Liability in a workplace harassment claim depends on whose behavior created a hostile or abusive environment. If your supervisor or manager harassed you, your employer is strictly liable, meaning they owe you damages even if they were not negligent. 

On the other hand, if you were harassed by a non-supervisor, such as a client, co-worker, contractor, or other party, your employer is only responsible if they acted negligently by failing to take corrective action if they knew or should have known about this issue. Moreover, your employer is not allowed to retaliate if you report harassment. Retaliation may include a change of working duties, increased scrutiny, and termination.

Mandatory Training

According to California law, companies with over five employees must provide supervisors and managers with two hours of sexual harassment training every two years. This training must also include gender identity and expression and sexual orientation topics. As an employee, you must receive the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) sexual harassment fact sheet. If your employer fails to comply with these laws, they may be liable in workplace harassment cases.

Recoverable Damages

Workplace harassment can be deeply hurtful and cause serious emotional and financial damages. Depending on your unique situation, you may recover the following damages:

• Non-Economic harms (Pain and suffering)
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Mental suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain
  • Anxiety/Grief
  • Inconvenience
• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Cost of prescription medication
• Lost wages or income
• Lost Benefits
• Punitive damages
• Attorney fees and litigation expenses

Our Jassim Law lawyers consider every detail of your case to accurately calculate its worth and fight tirelessly for maximum compensation. 

How a Lawyer Can Help With Your San Diego Workplace Harassment Claim

Acting quickly after experiencing workplace harassment is crucial for preserving evidence and protecting your rights. However, the aftermath of experiencing workplace harassment can be overwhelming. With an empathetic, passionate lawyer by your side, you don’t have to handle it alone. At Jassim Law, we provide comprehensive services that cover every aspect of your claim, including the following:

• Filing a lawsuit to subpoena evidence that is not otherwise available
• Filing a complaint or report with the appropriate parties
• Thoroughly investigating every detail of your case IMMEDIATELY
• Collecting and preserving vital evidence and witness statements
• Hiring the best experts your case requires
• Interviewing critical eyewitnesses
• Filing all paperwork correctly and on time
• Advocating aggressively for your rights and interests inside and outside of court
• Supporting you through every step of California’s claims process
• Determining whether additional parties or entities are at fault
• Answering your legal questions
• Keeping you updated on the status of your case
• Negotiating with all parties on your behalf
• Retaining top-notch experts and investigators
• Taking your claim to court and trial when necessary

With our wealth of experience handling complex employment law cases, we take your legal burdens off your shoulders and allow you to focus on what matters most–your health and safety. 

Jassim Law: Your Advocate for San Diego Workplace Harassment Cases

At Jassim Law, we are dedicated to standing up for those who have faced workplace harassment. With over 20 years of experience, our team knows how to navigate the complexities of these claims and fight for the justice you deserve. We prioritize listening to your story and crafting a strategy that fits your specific needs. Our proven track record of successful outcomes and positive testimonials demonstrate our commitment to keeping communities safe.

Our founder, Attorney Pajman Jassim, has been recognized as a SuperLawyer from 2017-2024 and received numerous accolades for his work in personal injury and employment law. If you are dealing with workplace harassment, don’t face it alone. Contact us at (619) 630-2680 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case during a free consultation.