Sexual Assault in the Workplace

Understanding your rights

Sexual assault by a supervisor, coworker, client or customer can give rise to legal claims against both the person responsible and, in many situations, the employer. California law prohibits sexual harassment — which includes sexual assault — and allows individual harassers to be held personally liable.

An employer can be responsible when it knew or should have known about the risk or the conduct and failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action. Other civil claims may also apply depending on the facts.

California has specific time limits for sexual assault claims that can differ from other employment claims.

Matters we handle

• Sexual assault by a supervisor, manager or owner
• Sexual assault by a coworker
• Assault by a client, customer, patient or vendor
• An employer’s failure to prevent or respond to known risks
• Retaliation after reporting an assault
• A hostile work environment following an assault

How the firm can help

1. 01

   At your pace

   A private conversation directly with an attorney — in English, Spanish or Farsi.

2. 02

   Hold everyone accountable

   Examine what the employer knew, what it did, and who is responsible.

3. 03

   Built for trial

   Every case is prepared from day one as if it will go before a jury.