SEXUAL HARASSMENT LITIGATION

No Legal Fees
Proving Your Case
Client Testimonials
Contact Us: 1-800-665-2459

In addition to criminal defense work, Mr. Abt is a leading trial attorney in the field of sexual harassment. E. Jay Abt is an attorney who aggressively pursues the rights of employees and other individuals who have been sexually harassed and abused against their will. Mr. Abt uses employment statutes, common law and keen strategy to fight for the legal protection of victims, and help them to regain their dignity and humanity. Mr. Abt is known for his tenacity and aggressive litigation style both in and out of the court room.

E. Jay Abt has a phenomenal record of winning cases and obtaining millions of dollars in recoveries for clients. These vast financial successes are possible because Mr. Abt is relentless in his approach to bringing companies to their knees and forcing them to pay large monetary awards. E. Jay Abt has successfully litigated against all types of companies from small employers to the largest of the Fortune 500.

Prior to founding his law firm, E. Jay Abt worked at several prestigious law firms defending corporations in the Fortune 500 against lawsuits brought by individuals who were sexually harassed in the work place. Learning how to defend these companies has proven extremely valuable in fighting for the rights of individuals and sexual harassment victims. Mr. Abt knows what strategies and defenses the employers will use, and how to counter-strategize and pin down the companies into a position of liability.

Mr. Abt is now a frequent speaker on the topic of work place sexual harassment and has given speeches to groups of lawyers to better train them to fight for individuals' legal rights. Most recently, Mr. Abt wrote and lectured on "The Use Of Psychological And Psychiatric Experts In Sexual Harassment Litigation" for a continuing legal education course.

NO LEGAL FEES UNLESS YOU WIN!!!

E. Jay Abt will not charge you any legal fees, under any circumstances, unless he makes a recovery on your behalf. This is what is called a "contingency fee" agreement. Our law firm will take a percentage of the total recovery in your sexual harassment case. In addition, any other costs of the litigation, such as court reporters fees, filing fees, expert fees, photocopying costs, etc. may be deducted from the total recovery at the end of the lawsuit.

Damages that are available to a victim of sexual harassment vary from case to case, but in most cases, the following types of recovery are available:

  • Back wages from the date of termination to trial;
  • Future lost earnings;
  • Compensatory damages for pain, suffering and emotional harm;
  • Punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer;
  • Lost benefits, such as the value of health insurance, 401(k) contributions, etc.; and
  • Attorney's fees and costs.

It is important to realize that many sexual harassment laws allows for recovery of attorneys fees to a prevailing plaintiff/employee. However, attorney's fees are almost never awarded to a prevailing defendant/employer, thereby making it easier and beneficial to bring a lawsuit and recover the fees and costs of litigation against the company.

PROVING YOUR CASE

In order to prove sexual harassment, it is very important to document what is happening to you -- and what you do to try to stop it. However, the most important evidence is usually identifying other witnesses to the harassing conduct. You may want to ask co-workers if anyone saw what was done to you, and you will want to get sworn statements from the witnesses who can verify the illegal conduct. Finally, even though you may be sexually harassed on the job, it is crucial that you consult an attorney before you take any drastic action like quitting or filing a formal complaint.

You should also get counseling for what is happening or has happened to you. If your health insurance covers psychological counseling through an "EAP" program, start to use it, and tell the psychologist what is happening to you. If you do not have health insurance which will provide for counseling sessions, go to a local rape crisis center, battered women's shelter, or ask about your county's department of children and family services. Most communities have free counseling available, and it can later be used as powerful evidence that your claims of sexual harassment are real, valid, and had a serious impact on your psychological health.

Also start collecting as much detailed evidence as possible about the specifics of your harassment. Be sure to save any offensive letters, photographs, cards or notes you receive. And if you were made to feel uncomfortable because of jokes, pin-ups or cartoons posted at work, confiscate them -- or at least make copies. An anonymous, obnoxious photo or joke posted on a bulletin board is not anyone else's personal property, so you are free to take it down and keep it as evidence. If that's not possible, photograph the workplace walls. Note the dates the offensive material was posted, and whether there were hostile reactions when you took it down or asked another person to do so. Also, keep a detailed journal. Write down the specifics of everything that feels like harassment. Include the names of everyone involved, what happened, where and when it took place. If anyone else saw or heard the harassment, note that as well. Be as specific as possible about what was said and done, and how it affected you, your health or your job performance.

If your employer has conducted periodic written evaluations of your work, make sure you have copies. In fact, you may want to ask for a copy of your entire personnel file (even though your employer has no legal duty to provide it to you) before you tip your hand that you are considering taking action against a harassing co-worker or supervisor. Your records will be particularly persuasive evidence if your evaluations have been good but after you complain, your employer retaliates by trying to transfer or fire you, claiming poor job performance.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"Mr. Abt was the first person in my life that stood up for me, represented me and acknowledged my sexual harassment as a violation. But, more important than winning THREE times the amount of money my case was initially valued, Mr. Abt restored my faith IN ME!!!! I always knew that he was on my side. I always knew that he was fighting for me and the truth. Thank you Mr. Abt."
J.S. 2003

"Jay Abt represented me in a lawsuit against my former boss and employer, a publicly traded restaurant chain. My boss was sexually harassing me and physically assaulting me at work, asking for sex, and making disgusting sexual comments about me, and toward me. On one occasion my supervisor grabbed my breasts, and on another occasion he forced my head into his crotch area. After doing an outstanding job representing me, Mr. Abt uncovered that the supervisor had a criminal record, and his boss (to whom I reported the harassment) had a prior record of sexual harassment from a previous job. Even though I reported the harassment, nothing was done by the company. Mr. Abt forced the company to pay me $125,000."
L.T. 2003

"My boss and I were having an affair, but I wanted it to stop. He persisted and would not leave me alone. He told me that unless we continued to have sex, my job would be in jeopardy. I was so afraid, and I did not know where to turn. Jay Abt made sure that my boss got the message, and I got a $100,000 severance!!!"
N.B. 2003

"Jay Abt is a wonderful lawyer. He was able to sue my former employer and bosses. I worked in a factory where my co-workers were constantly groping my body. I reported these allegations to human resources, but the harassment continued. Mr. Abt made them stop! I recovered over $50,000 and I got the co-workers who harassed me fired! Thanks Jay!"
M.G. 2002