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Workplace sexual assault is a horrifying and traumatic experience. However, if you’ve been sexually assaulted at work in Manhattan, you don’t have to suffer in silence.
State and federal law provide you a variety of paths to pursue the justice you deserve, including filing an internal report, making an external complaint with a government agency, pressing criminal charges, or pursuing a civil lawsuit. In a civil lawsuit, you may be able to pursue claims against both your employer and individual perpetrators.
The experienced Manhattan workplace sexual assault lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg are here to provide the confidential advice and skilled legal representation you need to seek the compensation and accountability you deserve.
Table of Contents
- When Manhattan Employers Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Assault
- What Qualifies as Workplace Sexual Assault in New York City
- Signs You May Have a Workplace Sexual Assault Case in Manhattan
- What to Do After Workplace Sexual Assault in Manhattan
- Can I Sue for Workplace Sexual Assault in Manhattan?
- How a Manhattan Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help Your Case
- What Our Satisfied Clients Are Saying
- Why Choose Joseph & Norinsberg for a Manhattan Sexual Assault Case
When Manhattan Employers Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in the workplace is a form of sexual harassment that involves non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature, such as groping, touching, rape, or attempted rape.
Employers in Manhattan can be held responsible for failing to prevent or address sexual assault in the workplace. The New York City Human Rights Law, or NYCHRL, applies to all employers with four or more workers, extending workplace discrimination and sexual harassment protections beyond those granted by federal law.
A Manhattan employer can be held accountable for a workplace sexual assault based on the following:
- Vicarious liability for an employee’s abusive actions
- Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention
- Failing to sufficiently respond to employee complaints about sexual assault
- Tolerating a hostile work environment
What Qualifies as Workplace Sexual Assault in New York City
A workplace sexual assault involves any kind of physical, non-consensual sexual activity, from unwanted touching and groping to sex acts performed out of coercion.
The following scenarios are examples of when Manhattan employers may be liable for sexual assault:
- A SoHo hotel fails to act on multiple complaints of repeated unwanted sexual advances by a supervisor.
- Healthcare workers at a Manhattan hospital experience a hostile work environment where management excuses unwanted touching by customers and other employees.
- A powerful boss at a Financial District office coerces employees into unwanted sexual activity by threatening their jobs.
Signs You May Have a Workplace Sexual Assault Case in Manhattan
If you have experienced sexual assault in the workplace, your employer should take immediate action to address the situation. If it feels like your employer doesn’t take the abuse seriously, you might have grounds for a legal claim.
Signs you might have a claim against your employer include the following:
- Your employer shrugs off complaints of groping by customers in a fast-paced work environment.
- You work at a large company where HR complaints seemingly go nowhere, even if misconduct is repeated or escalating.
- Your boss makes implicit threats to fire you, pass you over for a promotion, or give you unfavorable assignments if you don’t engage in sexual acts.
- Supervisors at your workplace abuse their power, protecting their friends from consequences for unwanted touching.
What to Do After Workplace Sexual Assault in Manhattan
If you’ve been sexually assaulted at work, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and you have a right to justice. The following steps can help you build a case and pursue accountability:
- Prioritize your health. Once you’re in a safe place, seek medical treatment and consider getting help for your mental health.
- Preserve evidence. Take notes on where, when, and how any specific incidents occurred, as well as the names of any potential witnesses. Collect any written communications or workplace documents that can corroborate your notes.
- Report your experiences. Your company’s HR department can take your formal report and attempt to resolve the case internally. If your case is particularly serious, you should consider going straight to the police and filing a criminal complaint.
- Make an external complaint. There are state, federal, and city agencies that investigate and enforce workplace sexual assault claims.
- Talk to an attorney. An experienced Manhattan sexual assault lawyer can help you build a strong case and pursue all legal options available to you.
Can I Sue for Workplace Sexual Assault in Manhattan?
If formal investigations don’t get results and you don’t believe a criminal case is warranted, you can file a lawsuit for workplace sexual assault. Your lawsuit can name both the individual perpetrators and your employer, which can be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees.
To file a workplace sexual assault lawsuit under federal law, you must first receive a “right to sue” letter from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after making an official complaint. However, there are no such requirements to sue your employer under New York state law, although waiting until after a government investigation may be beneficial. You generally have three years after an incident to file a lawsuit under New York’s statute of limitations.
How a Manhattan Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help Your Case
A trusted NYC sexual assault attorney can support you through every step of the legal process, handling your claims confidentially and with sensitivity. Your lawyer can help you gather relevant evidence and prove your employer’s liability for workplace sexual assault, then determine which reporting pathway is your best option to get the justice you deserve.
A local Manhattan attorney will have deep familiarity with New York laws, courts, and government agencies, giving them the perspective and know-how necessary to resolve your case efficiently.
What Our Satisfied Clients Are Saying
Why Choose Joseph & Norinsberg for a Manhattan Sexual Assault Case
If you’ve been sexually assaulted at work, you deserve justice for the horrific experiences you’ve endured. Our trusted Manhattan sexual assault lawyers will fight relentlessly to hold your employer accountable and help you move forward.
Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
Jon Norinsberg is one of New York City’s leading civil rights and trial attorneys, with decades of experience litigating high-stakes constitutional and employment disputes. Jon is known as a fearless, battle-tested trial lawyer who takes on powerful corporations, government entities, and public institutions in cases involving civil rights violations, police misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful conduct.
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