What points do Lawyers consider before taking up Sexual Harassment cases?

If sexual harassment lawyers in CT decides to take up your case in Connecticut or any other location in the world, the odds are that the lawyer thought your evidence is strong and sufficient in emerging victorious. For this reason, it is vital to gather all possible proof in the forms of emails, messages, letters, videos, 3rd party witnesses, etc. before you get in for the first meeting with your lawyer. Not only do the odds of acquiring the lawyer’s services increase, but the lawyer can also prepare in an organized pipeline to make sure that the lawsuit is in the favor of the victim.

There are multiple types of sexual harassment crimes that are classified under the law book of each state. Any form of offensive conduct pertaining to the sexuality of the victim can be termed as sexual harassment. Even, misconduct that involves persuasive and forceful behavior is considered punishable by the court of law. Cases do arise when a supervisor takes undue advantage of a coworker by enforcing undesired sexual activities and some cases also involve same-gender sexual harassment. The lawyer would need relevant proof for all these unique situations. If you manage to somehow prove to your lawyer by stating past facts and events, there is a high chance you have found an attorney to represent you in court.

What exactly does a lawyer search for in sexual harassment cases?

• Did a supervisor or co-worker commit the crime? – If your supervisor has attempted to sexually harass you then you need to present proof that brings his/her inhumane behavioral occurrences under the light. Any security footage where the incident occurred, other targets of your supervisor, emails, text messages, stalking instances or witnesses that saw the event occur would prove valuable to the lawyer.

If it was a co-worker then you must have first mentioned it to your manager in-charge. Present any format letters, emails, reports or messages that you sent your manager in reference to the sexual misconduct performed on you. This is the first line of proof that satisfies the lawyer’s primary requirements. Next, you must submit any evidence related to the co-worker sexually harassing you – this is the lawyer’s secondary requirement.

• What kind of damages did you face? – The victim may have faced damages in the form of monetary repercussions due to medical treatment, case filing charges, therapy due to shock, etc. Often the manager also tells the victim to go on leave or work for lesser hours to recover – this collides with the monetary factor considering the reduction in overall salary.

Mention all such details to the lawyer so that he/she can successfully draft these notes and apply for a claim with respect to all the losses you incurred despite being a victim and not the assaulter. You may have had to pay some retaliation claim, pay the lawyer for drafting papers and attending court hearings, be a victim of lost promotions or even face demotion.

• Were you giving positive responses to the assaulter’s behavior? – If you were giving positive responses to the assaulter then the lawyer must be aware so that he/she can handle the matter in a different manner. Sometimes an individual is open to sexual interaction until they are actually in a position when they have to act. 

These times, the victim does not tell the assaulter that they are finding the situation offensive and suddenly begin to act unwelcoming. Sexual harassment lawyers in New Haven can chalk out effective strategies in situations where the victim partook in verbal or non-verbal sexual interactions with the assaulter.

• Was the reported form of conduct objectively offensive? – This proves to be critical as what is offensive to one person may not be offensive to another person. Lawyers who fight sexual harassment in CT or any other part of the globe need to understand the exact reason for their client filing a case and what action by the assaulter prompted them to do so. If the actions taken are not objectively considered inappropriate then the person filing the case is on the downside. 

Example – The coffee mug of a male employee says ‘Call me tonight’ and he instructs the female caretaker to get him coffee. The caretaker may take it another way, but the employee was not aware that it is offending.

• Are you considered a believable witness? – The lawyer needs to confirm that all your dots connect and your story can make sense as a whole, this ensures credibility. You, being the victim, also need to dress in an appropriate manner and portray a calm demeanor without your emotions getting the better of you in court.

These are a few of the dozens of points that a lawyer considers before taking up a sexual harassment case under their belt. Think like a lawyer and you will figure many more points that can make a difference.