Experienced Sexual Harassment Lawyers Serving Tulare County And Surrounding Areas
Sexual harassment can happen anywhere – in offices, farms, factories, or service industries prevalent in Tulare County’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Whether you’re in Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, or any surrounding area, our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for your rights. Our firm offers free, confidential consultations. Contact our office today and let one of our trusted Tulare County sexual harassment attorneys guide you through this challenging time.
At Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP, our attorneys are committed to serving and giving legal support to those who have suffered the detrimental consequences of sexual harassment in the workplace. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your story without fear. Help is available, and our Tulare County sexual harassment lawyer will do everything in their power to hold those offenders accountable and liable.
It is not easy to step out of the comfort of a secure job when uncalled-for acts are occurring in the workplace. Many victims in Tulare County hesitate due to fears of retaliation, especially in close-knit communities or industries like agriculture, where jobs are vital to livelihoods. But remember, laws protect you from such retaliation. Our firm has decades of experience handling cases across California, including Tulare County, and we know how to navigate local courts and employers to secure the compensation you deserve, including lost wages, emotional distress damages, and more.
We believe in empowering victims. From the initial consultation to trial, if necessary, our Tulare County sexual harassment lawyers stand by you every step. We’ve helped countless clients recover millions in settlements and verdicts. Don’t let harassment define your career – contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment can be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. In Tulare County, where workplaces range from corporate offices to field work, this can manifest in various ways, often exacerbated by power imbalances.
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) further outlines conduct that may constitute sexual harassment, including but not limited to:
- Verbal harassment: Offensive comments, jokes, or slurs about a person’s sex or gender.
- Physical harassment: Unwanted touching, assault, or blocking movement.
- Visual harassment: Displaying pornographic materials, lewd gestures, or sending explicit images.
- Quid pro quo: Conditioning employment benefits on sexual favors.
Even if the harassment doesn’t lead to tangible employment action, it can create a hostile work environment if it’s severe or pervasive enough to alter your job conditions. Our Tulare County sexual harassment attorneys have seen cases involving farm supervisors demanding favors for better shifts or office managers making repeated inappropriate comments. If this sounds familiar, know that you have legal recourse.
Strict Liability in Sexual Harassment
In California, employers can be held strictly liable for sexual harassment committed by supervisors, meaning they’re responsible regardless of whether they knew about it or tried to stop it. This is crucial in Tulare County, where many employers are small businesses or large agribusinesses with layered management.
Strict liability ensures that victims aren’t left without remedy. For instance, if a director or officer fails to take action, punitive damages may apply. Some legally actionable behaviors include:
- Descriptive encounters of sex or inappropriate sexual jokes.
- Display of sexually suggestive or explicit images.
- Sexually suggestive gestures.
- Unwanted touching or physical contact.
- Requests for sexual favors in exchange for job security.
Compensation under strict liability can include attorney fees, economic losses like back pay, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Our Tulare County sexual harassment lawyers specialize in proving these claims to maximize your recovery.
Federal Law and Liability
Federal law, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination. Unlike California’s strict liability, federal law offers employers an affirmative defense if they can show they took reasonable steps to prevent and correct harassment, and the victim unreasonably failed to report it.
In practice, this means employees in Tulare County must report incidents promptly through company channels or to the EEOC. Failure to do so might weaken your case federally, but state laws provide stronger protections. Our firm advises clients on both federal and state claims to ensure the broadest coverage. For example, if your employer has 15 or more employees, federal law applies, but California’s FEHA covers employers with as few as 5.
Key differences:
- Federal: Caps on damages ($50,000-$300,000 per victim depending on employer size).
- State: No caps on compensatory damages, allowing for higher recoveries.
If you’ve experienced harassment, document everything – dates, times, witnesses – and contact a Tulare County sexual harassment lawyer immediately to preserve your rights.
What Employer Obligations Are There To Prevent Sexual Harassment?
Employers in California have a legal duty to prevent sexual harassment. For companies with 5 or more employees (reduced from 50 in recent updates), they must provide sexual harassment prevention training every two years. This is especially relevant in Tulare County’s diverse workplaces, from dairies to distribution centers.
Training must include:
- Definitions of sexual harassment under state and federal laws.
- Examples of prohibited conduct.
- Remedies available to victims, including filing with DFEH or EEOC.
- Strategies for prevention.
- Supervisors’ duty to report harassment.
- How to handle complaints confidentially.
Failure to train can lead to liability. In Tulare County, where seasonal work is common, new hires must be trained within six months. Our sexual harassment attorneys often use lack of training as leverage in negotiations or trials to prove employer negligence.
Who Is Qualified To Train Employees On Sexual Harassment?
Qualified trainers under California regulations include:
- Attorneys admitted to the bar for at least two years, practicing employment law under FEHA.
- Human resources professionals with at least two years of experience in preventing harassment, handling complaints, or advising on discrimination.
- Professors or instructors with a post-graduate degree and 20 hours of training in relevant employment law.
Ensuring qualified training helps create safer environments. If your employer’s training was inadequate or nonexistent, it strengthens your case. Contact our Tulare County sexual harassment attorney to evaluate if violations occurred.
Protecting Your Rights When You Have Been Sexually Harassed
Protecting your rights starts with reporting the harassment. Use your company’s policy, but if unsafe, go directly to DFEH or EEOC. Deadlines are critical: 300 days for EEOC, up to three years for DFEH in California.
Document incidents thoroughly. Seek medical help if affected emotionally or physically. Avoid signing anything without legal review. Our Tulare County sexual harassment lawyers offer free consultations to guide you on preserving evidence and avoiding pitfalls like retaliation claims.
Retaliation is illegal – if you’re fired, demoted, or isolated after reporting, you have additional claims. We’ve secured settlements for clients facing this in Tulare County industries.
Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment falls into two main categories:
- Quid Pro Quo: “This for that” – e.g., a supervisor promising a raise for a date or threatening termination for refusal. Common in hierarchical Tulare County workplaces like packing houses.
- Hostile Work Environment: Pervasive conduct making the workplace intimidating, such as repeated lewd comments or unwanted advances. Even one severe incident can qualify.
Other forms include same-sex harassment, harassment based on gender identity, or third-party harassment (e.g., from clients). Our firm handles all types, tailoring strategies to your situation.
Why Choose Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP as Your Tulare County Sexual Harassment Lawyer?
With over 60 years of combined experience, Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP is a leader in sexual harassment law in California. We serve Tulare County and surrounding areas, traveling as needed for depositions and trials.
Our track record includes:
- $3,850,000 — Female Plaintiff in Her Mid 20’s Sues Employer for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
- $2,490,000 — Three Women Sexually Harassed by Supervisors at Large Rental Company
- $1,950,000 — Female Plaintiff in Her Early 20’s Sexually Harassed by Plant Manager of a Large Manufacturing Company
We operate on contingency – no fees unless we win. Clients praise our empathy and tenacity: “They fought for me when I felt alone.” Choose us for personalized attention and proven results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Harassment in Tulare County
How Do I Prove Sexual Harassment?
Proving sexual harassment requires building a strong body of evidence to demonstrate that the conduct was unwelcome, based on sex, and either severe or pervasive enough to affect your work environment. Start by gathering tangible proof such as emails, text messages, voicemails, or notes documenting the incidents. Witness statements and any changes in your performance reviews or job assignments that followed the harassment are also valuable. In Tulare County cases, we’ve also used security footage from workplaces like farms or warehouses to corroborate claims. Our experienced Tulare County sexual harassment lawyers will assist in collecting and organizing this evidence to create a compelling case for settlement or trial.
What If I’m Undocumented?
If you’re undocumented, rest assured that your immigration status does not prevent you from pursuing a sexual harassment claim under California law. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects all employees regardless of citizenship or work authorization. Employers cannot use your status as leverage or threaten deportation in retaliation for reporting harassment. In fact, such threats could strengthen your case by adding retaliation or coercion claims. Consult with us to understand how we can safeguard your rights.
Can Men Be Victims?
Absolutely, men can be victims of sexual harassment, and it affects individuals of all genders, including non-binary and transgender people. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, and laws like Title VII and FEHA apply equally regardless of the victim’s gender. If you’re a man experiencing this kind of harassment, know that you’re not alone. Our Tulare County sexual harassment lawyers are here to advocate fiercely for you.
What’s the Statute of Limitations in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a sexual harassment claim under the FEHA is generally up to three years from the date of the last harassing incident or related act, such as retaliation. However, for federal claims with the EEOC, you have only 300 days from the incident to file. In Tulare County, where cases often involve seasonal or migrant workers, we recommend documenting everything immediately and consulting a lawyer as soon as possible. Our team at Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP can help determine the exact deadlines for your situation and ensure your claim is filed timely to preserve your right to compensation.
Contact Our Tulare County Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today
If you’ve been subjected to sexual harassment in Tulare County, time is of the essence—the sooner you reach out, the stronger your case can be built through timely evidence collection and witness interviews.
At Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP, we offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your experience and explore your legal options. Our dedicated Tulare County sexual harassment attorney is committed to helping you reclaim your dignity, hold wrongdoers accountable, and secure the justice and compensation you deserve, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back; take the first step toward healing and accountability today. Contact us today by giving us a call or filling out our online form.
We represent only victims of sexual harassment, not perpetrators or those accused of harassment.