Discrimination Attorney Houston
Discrimination occurs when an employee is treated differently than similar employees. Our discrimination attorney Houston is sensitive to the dynamics that arise when discrimination occurs. - Salinas Law Firm
In order for an employee to have a valid discrimination claim, an employer must take tangible adverse employment action against the employee.
This adverse action could include termination, layoff, demotion, reduction in compensation or benefits, reassignment to lesser duties, or a failure to promote.
Our Discrimination Lawyer Houston can use Federal and state laws to protect employees from discrimination in the workplace based on certain classifications.
When do you need an Attorney for Job Discrimination?
If you are considering hiring an attorney for job discrimination, you should know that many of the civil rights laws require you to go to the EEOC first, before you file a federal lawsuit. In most cases, you will have to file an administrative complaint with the EEOC, and go through the informal settlement process before having the matter heard by an administrative law judge. The EEOC investigators may say there is no need to talk to an attorney for job discrimination before starting this process. But that could cause you to miss out on some important options for your employment discrimination or harassment claims.
Two laws enforced by the EEOC do not require you to exhaust your administrative remedies before heading to court: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Equal Pay Act. These two laws allow you and your discrimination attorney to go directly to the federal court to file your claim.
But even in Equal Pay cases, you may still want to go through the EEOC. If what happened to you qualifies as gender discrimination under Title VII, as well as the Equal Pay Act, there may be remedies that will become available only after completing the EEOC's process. Deciding whether to involve the EEOC will depend on your circumstances and what you hope to accomplish by filing your complaint.
Just because your case starts with an EEOC complaint doesn't mean it has to end there. You have the option to quit the administrative process and file your own private lawsuit if:
- The agency has not responded with a decision after 180 days and no appeal has been filed
- The agency issued a decision and no appeal has been filed (you must file your lawsuit within 90 days of the decision)
- The EEOC does not respond to your appeal with a decision within 180 days,
- You disagree with the EEOC's decision on your appeal (you must file your lawsuit within 90 days of the decision)
The EEOC may also opt not to pursue your complaint and issue a "Notice of Right to Sue." If that happens you need to talk to a Discrimination Lawyer Houston right away to make sure you file your federal lawsuit within the legal time limits.
Resolution for Workplace Discrimination Violations
Our Discrimination Lawyers in Houston Texas are ready to assist you in seeking resolution if you have suffered age discrimination, gender/sex discrimination, race/national origin discrimination, disability discrimination, religious discrimination, or pregnancy discrimination. We have experience handling all types of job discrimination violations.
Our discrimination attorney Houston zealously counsels and represents employees who have been discriminated against throughout Texas and across the nation. We also serve as consultants for employers who wish to prevent employment discrimination. We seek to protect employees from all workplace discrimination based on race, age, national origin, disability, religion, or other protected classes.
For assistance, speak with an experienced Discrimination Lawyer Houston.
Advantages of Our Approach include:
- You come first – As our client, you and your interests are our first priority.
- Proven experience – We have successfully represented numerous employees throughout Houston facing all types of employment law matters.
- Education and representation – Our lawyers will explain the different types of discrimination cases and evaluate the merits of the claim and the best way to deal with it.
If you were denied employee benefits to which you were entitled by law, if you observed affirmative action violations, or if businesses deny rights to equal employment opportunity, the Discrimination Attorney Houston at our firm can help you understand you rights under the law. Our attorneys in Texas pursue a variety of legal remedies, according to the goals of our clients, such as:
- Reinstatement, promotion, or reassignment;
- Compensatory damages;
- Punitive damages; and
- Recouping legal fees.
To get a better understanding of these remedies, it is recommended to speak with a Discrimination Attorney Houston.
A Discrimination Lawyer Will Explain the Law as it Applies to Your Situation
A Discrimination Attorney Houston will tell you that employers can be held liable for wrongful termination, employment retaliation, discrimination, defamation, harassment, including sexual harassment, and other violations of employee rights in the workplace. Your employee rights are protected in hiring, promotion, discipline, and job assignments based on:
- Race discrimination, national origin discrimination, religious discrimination, and sex or gender discrimination (Civil Rights Act of 1964);
- Age discrimination (Age Discrimination Act);
- Pregnancy discrimination and family leave to care for a spouse or child, whether paid or unpaid leave (Family Medical Leave Act – FMLA);
- Discrimination against pregnant women (Pregnancy Discrimination Act);
- Disability discrimination, including the employer’s unwillingness to make an accommodation for a disabled employee (Americans with Disabilities Act – ADA);
- Discrimination when you use, or request to use, employee benefits such as paid sick leave, family medical leave, short or long term disability leave, health insurance or retirement funds (ERISA);
- Discrimination regarding your status as a member of the U.S. Military (USERRA); and
- Discrimination over your attempt to speak with co-workers about issues in the workplace, including pay (NLRB).
For assistance, contact experienced Discrimination Lawyers in Houston Texas office at 713-518-1711 or submit an online inquiry. We also offer online or phone consultations with potential clients who are unable to meet in our office.