Many workplace harassment victims wonder how much compensation they might be entitled to. The amounts of these lawsuits vary widely depending on each case’s unique details.
The quality of your legal representation and the nature of the harm you’ve suffered play major roles in the value of your workplace harassment claim. Working with the skilled team at Joseph & Norinsberg can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. This page explores the factors influencing compensation and the typical settlement ranges to provide a clearer picture of how much you can sue for in a workplace harassment suit.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Workplace Harassment and Your Legal Rights
- What Types of Compensation Can You Sue for in Workplace Harassment Cases?
- Factors Affecting Workplace Harassment Settlement Amounts
- Typical Workplace Harassment Settlement Amounts in New York
- Why You Need Experienced Employment Lawyers To Fight Your Workplace Harassment Case
- What To Do If You’re Experiencing Workplace Harassment Now
- Get the Help You Deserve Today
Understanding Workplace Harassment and Your Legal Rights
Workplace harassment is a form of employment discrimination. Several federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and numerous state and local measures govern harassment claims. However, despite the protections provided by these laws, 91 percent of U.S. workers have experienced some form of discrimination in the workplace.
Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. It often creates a hostile work environment. The harassers may be managers, co-workers, and even third parties, such as vendors or customers.
There are many different forms of workplace harassment. A common example is sexual harassment, which may involve requesting sexual favors, making offensive sexual remarks, or touching someone’s intimate body parts without their consent. Verbal abuse, public humiliation, and threats based on protected characteristics may also constitute unlawful harassment at work.
Employers are vicariously liable for their employees’ actions, meaning they can be held responsible for sexual harassment committed at work. In addition, employers often have the power to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, but fail to do so. Thus, they may be liable for harassment resulting from their failures.
Your Right To a Harassment-Free Workplace
Under New York law and according to federal protections, you have the right to a workplace free from harassment and to take action for violations of your rights. Furthermore, it’s illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for speaking up about harassment. Recognizing such discrimination early and reporting incidents can be a powerful step toward creating a healthier workplace.
If the behavior continues, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against your employer. Our firm can help you navigate each step of this process. We’ve achieved many positive case results for victims of workplace harassment and are ready to put this experience to work for you.
What Types of Compensation Can You Sue for in Workplace Harassment Cases?
If you’ve experienced harassment at work, you may seek compensation for any losses you’ve suffered due to the mistreatment. Your total compensation will largely depend on the types of damages you’ve suffered and the strength of evidence proving them.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses caused by the harassment. For instance, you may recover your expenses for mental health treatment, such as therapy or psychiatric medication.
You may also recover any lost wages for time missed from work because of the harassment. You may also recoup lost pay if you quit your job over the harassment, or your employer fired you in retaliation for reporting it. You may also be eligible to recover compensation for lost benefits, job search costs, and relocation expenses related to your job loss.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the harassment’s impact on your quality of life. You may recover compensation for emotional distress if the unwelcome conduct caused you anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
If the mistreatment has affected your relationships or your ability to enjoy activities you previously participated in, those damages may also be compensable.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available if your case involved extreme malice or reckless disregard for your rights. These damages aim to punish your employer and deter similar behavior.
Factors Affecting Workplace Harassment Settlement Amounts
The following factors influence how much a workplace harassment case may settle for:
Severity of Harassment
More extreme harassment tends to result in greater damages for the victim. For example, sexual coercion or explicit threats may harm a victim more severely than inappropriate jokes. The more aggressive or degrading the conduct, the more likely it is to justify higher compensation due to the psychological and professional toll it can take.
Duration of Harassment
A single incident may be serious enough to warrant legal action on its own, but such conduct is often pervasive or repeated harassment resulting from a pattern of negligence by the employer. Such longer-term mistreatment can also lead to greater emotional distress and extended disruptions to the victim’s career, increasing the damages recoverable.
Impact on the Victim's Life and Career
The primary goal of a workplace harassment claim is to compensate the victim for the ways the mistreatment has impacted them. The greater the negative impact on the victim’s well-being and career trajectory, the higher the potential compensation. For instance, if the conduct has led the victims to take lower-paying jobs, lose seniority, and forgo advancement, they may pursue compensation for these effects.
Strength of the Evidence
Strong evidence of the employer’s misconduct and the victim’s damages can result in higher workplace harassment settlement amounts. We strive to get the most compensation possible for our clients through meticulous investigation and hard work. We believe cases are not won by courtroom “showmanship” but by relentless and time-consuming preparation outside of court.
Clear documentation, such as emails, messages, or recordings, helps establish the facts. Credible witness testimony can also support the victim’s claims by confirming the harassment and its impact on the victim. Additionally, expert testimony from mental health professionals can prove the psychological impacts of the harassment.
Negotiation or Litigation
Many cases settle through negotiation with the employer or its insurance company. If the employer refuses a fair settlement offer, litigation may be necessary. Trials often result in larger awards.
Typical Workplace Harassment Settlement Amounts in New York
Each year, the New York City Commission on Human Rights publishes a list of noteworthy settlements it has negotiated with employers for violations of the NYC Human Rights Law. The workplace harassment cases listed for 2022, 2023, and 2024 had settlements ranging from $4,000 to $250,000. However, the list only captures settlements at the administrative level and does not include cases litigated in court or negotiated outside the system.
Meanwhile, our firm has achieved even higher awards for workplace harassment victims, including these case results:
- $1.8 million verdict in Williams v. New York City Transit
- $1.4 million settlement in Carvalho v. MonteFiore Medical Center, et.al.
- $500,000 settlement in Dortch v. Montefiore Medical Center
Workplace harassment settlement amounts vary widely because no two cases are exactly alike. Each case differs in the extent of the harassment, the victim’s damages, and the strength of evidence available.
While many cases settle at the lower end of the compensation range, yours could be worth significantly more. No matter your case’s value, we’ll work to maximize your recovery by providing dedicated representation throughout every step.
Why You Need Experienced Employment Lawyers To Fight Your Workplace Harassment Case
Insurance companies and powerful employers often try to minimize workplace harassment claims. They may use tactics to get you to settle for less than you deserve. When you turn to our team, we’ll level the playing field and tirelessly pursue fair compensation for you.
We have a 98 percent success rate and over 100 years of collective experience fighting for workers’ rights. Our deep knowledge of evolving employment laws and our relentless work ethic can make all the difference in your case’s outcome.
Our attorneys understand how vulnerable you might feel after experiencing workplace harassment. That’s why we prioritize empathy and personalized support alongside aggressive legal advocacy. We’re ready to listen to your story, investigate the facts, and stand firmly by your side.
Hear From the People We’ve Helped
What To Do If You’re Experiencing Workplace Harassment Now
The people harassing you want to make you feel powerless, but you have rights and options. Here’s what you can do right now to protect yourself.
Document Everything
Gather evidence discreetly. Create a backup of electronic data, such as emails and text messages, that might prove the harassment. Write down everything you can about each incident, including what happened, when it happened, who was involved, and who witnessed it.
Report Internally
Follow your company’s procedures to report the harassment to HR or a supervisor. Make the report in writing and keep a copy. This helps you prove that your employer was aware of the mistreatment.
Consult a Harassment Lawyer Promptly
Don’t delay getting legal help. Contacting us promptly allows our attorneys to preserve evidence before it fades and have plenty of time to build a strong case before the statute of limitations runs out.
We offer free, confidential consultations in English or Spanish. Nobody should suffer in silence, and our NYC hostile work environment lawyers are ready to fight for you.
Bennitta Joseph
Founder/Senior Managing Partner
Jon L. Norinsberg
Founder/Senior Managing Partner
John J. Meehan
Executive Partner/Chief of the Pre-Litigation Division
Jitesh Dudani
Executive Partner/COO of World Trade Center Office
Diego O. Barros
Partner
Arjeta Albani
Chief of the ADA Division
Robert A. Kansao
Head of the Wage & Hour Division
Caitlin Duffy
Senior Litigation Counsel
Get the Help You Deserve Today
No employer—no matter how powerful—has the right to discriminate against you. You deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued at work.
If you believe your rights have been violated, don’t stay silent. Joseph & Norinsberg is ready to help. We’ll listen to your story, uncover the truth, and fight with everything we have for the justice you deserve.
Call us today at 212-227-5700 or contact us online to learn how much you can sue for in a workplace harassment case.
