Criminal Defense Lawyers

can’t afford attorney to sue for sexual harassment

Can’t Afford an Attorney to Sue for Sexual Harassment? Here’s What to Do

You’re being sexually harassed at work, but, you can‘t afford to hire an attorney to sue your employer. What now? Take a deep breath, this is a difficult situation, but, there are options.Sexual harassment is unacceptable and illegal, no matter your financial situation. You have rights, and there are resources to help – even if paying a private lawyer is out of reach.We’ll walk through the key things to know, and steps to take, if you can’t afford an attorney for a sexual harassment case. The process may seem daunting, but, you don’t have to face it alone.

Understanding Sexual Harassment and Your Rights

First, let’s get on the same page about what constitutes sexual harassment, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

• Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment.
• Harassment can also include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, making offensive comments about women in general, constitutes illegal harassment.
• The victim and harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex.
• The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.

So in summary, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace. It’s illegal, and you have rights, regardless of your ability to afford a private attorney.

Filing a Complaint with the EEOC

Your first step is filing a complaint with the EEOC. This is free, and an EEOC investigation could result in your employer having to pay you damages, without you having to go to court.The EEOC allows you to file a complaint (called a “charge”) either by mail or in person at your nearest EEOC office. You can find your local office on their website.When filing, you’ll need to include:

• Your name, address, and telephone number
• The name, address and telephone number of the employer you want to file your charge against
• The number of employees employed there (if known)
• A short description of the events you believe were discriminatory, including dates
• When the discrimination took place
• Your signature

It’s important to file within 180 days of the last date the harassment took place. The EEOC will investigate and attempt to resolve the charge. If they find harassment occurred, they‘ll try to get your employer to compensate you through an informal settlement process called “conciliation.”If conciliation fails, the EEOC may decide to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Or, they’ll give you a “right to sue” letter, allowing you to file a lawsuit in federal court yourself within 90 days.Even if you can’t afford a lawyer at this point, going through the EEOC process first is crucial. It‘s free, and exhausting this administrative remedy is a legal prerequisite before you can file a harassment lawsuit.

Seeking Free or Low-Cost Legal Help

While the EEOC process is free, having legal representation can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. An attorney can help gather evidence, file the right paperwork, negotiate with your employer, and represent you in court if needed.If you truly cannot afford a private attorney, look into these options for free or low-cost legal aid:

Legal Aid ServicesLegal aid organizations provide free legal assistance to those who qualify based on income. Search for your local legal aid office and inquire about services for employment discrimination cases.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Law School ClinicsMany law schools have clinics where law students, supervised by professors, provide free legal help to low-income clients. Reach out to law schools in your area.

Private Attorneys Pro BonoSome private attorneys take cases on a pro bono (free) basis, especially for compelling discrimination cases. Legal aid offices can sometimes refer pro bono cases to private firms.

Contingency Fee LawyersAttorneys who take cases on a contingency fee basis receive a percentage (often 30-40%) of any settlement or award, rather than an upfront fee. This allows you to get legal representation without paying costs out-of-pocket.Contingency lawyers are highly motivated to win your case and maximize the amount recovered. However, they are also very selective about which cases they take, preferring strong cases with high potential damages.Even if you don’t qualify for free legal aid, a consultation with a contingency fee employment lawyer is worth exploring. Bring all documentation of the harassment and be prepared to demonstrate the harm you‘ve suffered.