badge
Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Dallas, TX
You’re Not Alone. Dan Atkerson Can Stand Up For You.
Representing workers for 40+ years
Success against Fortune 500 employers
Pay nothing unless we win
Millions recovered for workers’ rights violations
Why Workers Choose Dan Atkerson in Sexual Harassment Cases
He Knows How to Prove Harassment
Harassment is rarely caught on camera. In 40+ years of employment law, Dan Atkerson has learned to build these cases from patterns, witnesses, and records, whether it's quid pro quo or a hostile work environment.
He Makes Employers Pay for It
Dan has recovered real compensation for people harassed at work. This is money that acknowledges the harm and holds both the harasser and the company that allowed it accountable, so you can move forward.
Speaking Up Shouldn't Cost You
Have you found yourself fired or pushed out of your job after reporting sexual harassment? Dan stands up to retaliation such as wrongful termination and takes on employers of any size. Your courage should never be used against you.
Mr. Atkerson's Victories in Sexual Harassment Cases
"Dan Atkerson can easily outshine a big law firm, like he did in my case (the employer was represented by a big law firm). Thank you, Dan!" — Priya, 5-Star Review
Don't Delay: You Have 300 Days to File
With the new bill, you have 300 calendar days from your employer's last discriminatory act to file a sexual harassment claim. Previously, you had 180 days to file a sexual harassment claim.
Even though the timeframe has nearly doubled, it is best to file your claim as soon as possible. This will help you avoid missing your deadline and losing out on eligibility for a claim. This also allows you to seek restitution sooner rather than later.
Make Us Your First Call
In the United States, 81% of women and 43% of men report suffering sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. You're not alone, and you have a path to justice.
By working with a lawyer like Dan Atkerson, you get a dedicated advocate in your corner who will listen to your side of the story, guide you through the next steps, and help you achieve the best possible outcome. During a private consultation, Mr. Atkerson can listen to your story, help determine if you have a case, and get started gathering essential evidence right away to protect your rights, hold your employer accountable, and help you move past this hardship toward the next phase of your career.
Consultations are available by appointment only.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Sexual Harassment Attorney in Dallas?
There are no upfront costs when you hire sexual harassment lawyer Dan Atkerson. We offer private consultations and contingency-based legal services, so we only get paid a fee when Dan Atkerson settles a claim for monetary damages against an employer.
That means that you do not have to pay anything until he recovers compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to learn more about contingency fee claims.
Determine if You Have a Case
The law does not protect against teasing, offhand comments, or one-off incidents. To be considered illegal, the harassment must be deliberate or repeated and severe enough that it is creating an intimidating or hostile work environment or affecting someone's employment. Firing you out of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is considered wrongful termination, which is also illegal. Mr. Atkerson can examine the specifics of your case to determine whether the law was broken.
Examine the Evidence
On your own, it can be difficult to prove that sexual harassment took place. Your employer will most likely have a lawyer, so you need one in your corner, too. As your legal advocate, our Dallas sexual harassment lawyer can listen to your side of the story, examine the facts, prove that illegal sexual harassment took place, and fight to recover compensation on your behalf.
Protect Your Rights
Dan Atkerson believes that everyone is entitled to a safe workplace where they can feel valued based on their performance. If a hostile work environment has taken a toll on your career, Mr. Atkerson has repeatedly demonstrated that he can identify and prove when his clients' rights have been violated.
Provide the Support You Need
Sexual harassment can make you feel disrespected, unsafe, and vulnerable. With a sexual harassment lawyer on your side, you can feel ready to face your harasser with confidence. Our employment lawyer can also help ensure that your claim is filed correctly and on time.
What Dan Can Help You Prove
For sexual harassment behaviors to be illegal, they must meet requirements outlined in Section 21.141 of the Texas Labor Code:
The Behavior Is Unwelcome: Our Dallas-area attorney will need to prove that the behaviors were unwelcome. Together, we will gather evidence of your refusal to partake in the behaviors, reports made to your manager, and any damages that occurred as a result of the sexual harassment.
The Behavior Interferes With Work Performance and Work Conditions: Our attorney will also need to prove that the behaviors or sexual advances created an offensive, intimidating, or hostile work environment, interfered with work performance, or that rejecting the advances would impact an individual's employment.
We're Located Just 40 Minutes From Dallas
Our McKinney office is just 40 minutes north of Dallas. Dan Atkerson has been an employment lawyer for over four decades, and he represents workers from Dallas, Allen, Plano, Frisco, and all parts of North Texas in a wide range of practice areas.
Contact our law firm today to learn more about your options.
Anyone Can Be Victimized
Men, women, and non-binary individuals can be victims and perpetrators of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between co-workers, supervisors and subordinates, managers, and even through the text of a supervisor's reports. It can also occur between members of the opposite sex and members of the same sex.
"Dan Atkerson Law Firm was professional, compassionate, and highly effective during a tough time. Dan communicated clearly, advocated strongly, and had my best interests at heart. I’m truly grateful for his support and highly recommend his law firm." — Shirin, 5-Star Review
What Is Considered Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is a type of discrimination in the workplace that is against the law in Texas. Sexual harassment can create a hostile work environment for everyone and includes:
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Graphic emails, images, or texts
- Offensive remarks about men and women
- Unwelcome speech or conduct based on sex
- Touching, groping, or other physical harassment of a sexual nature
- Threatening to fire someone if they do not comply with requests for sexual favors
- Retaliation by the employer after the employee complains about sexual harassment
- Inappropriate jokes, sexual comments, and other verbal harassment of a sexual nature
- Promising promotions, schedule changes, or compensation in exchange for sexual favors
Whether you've had to deal with quid pro quo harassment or other kinds of unwanted advances or interactions, it's important to speak with a lawyer about your case. Violations include questionable interactions with co-workers during business travel, at outside functions, or online. Serving the Dallas area for over 40 years, our Allen employment lawyer's office will review your situation and help you take the right course of action.
Severe or Pervasive Conduct
When assessing a sexual harassment claim, the severity or pervasiveness of the conduct is evaluated. Severity refers to the nature of an incident of sexual harassment, and pervasiveness refers to the frequency at which such actions occur. The conduct needs to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to create what courts would consider an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Texas Laws Against
Sexual Harassment
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it is unlawful to harass a job applicant, co-worker, or employee based on that person's sex.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code both make it illegal to harass someone at work based on their sex. The laws outlaw two types of harassment:
- Quid pro quo: Quid pro quo is when a supervisor requests sexual favors in exchange for granting a promotion, raise, or another benefit. It also includes firing or threatening to fire an employee who does not fulfill the sexual favors.
- Hostile work environment: A hostile work environment is one where an employee is experiencing unwelcome and offensive sexual behaviors that negatively impact the working conditions.
Who Can Be Held Liable Under Texas Law?
The passage of SB 45 changed Texas state law regarding sexual harassment claims as of September 2021.
According to the new law, an employer can be held liable for sexual harassment if they employ one or more employees. By comparison, federal sexual harassment laws apply to employers who hire 15 or more employees. This means more small businesses can be held accountable for sexual harassment. Texas workers should feel empowered to speak out, no matter the size of their company or the nature of their occupation.
Furthermore, the new law defines an employer as one who employs an employee, or one who acts in the direct interests of an employer in relation to an employee. This means that individual managers or supervisors who engaged in harassment can be held liable in a lawsuit.
Your Actions Can Help Protect You and Others
Without consequences, employers may feel empowered to continue committing acts of sexual harassment. By holding your harasser accountable for his or her actions, you can help reduce the risk of others having their rights violated.
Sexual harassment is illegal. So is wrongful termination, such as firing someone for reporting sexual harassment. Our Dallas sexual harassment attorney can help you file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Texas Workforce Commission.
If you were demoted or terminated because you refused to respond to sexual advances or because you spoke up about harassment, our sexual harassment lawyer can ensure that you are compensated for lost wages and emotional distress caused by the behaviors.
FAQ for Our Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Dallas, TX
Is workplace sexual harassment a criminal offense?
While sexual harassment is not a crime in and of itself, a sexual harassment claim can also result in criminal charges. In addition to civil penalties, workplace sexual harassment may lead to criminal charges if the incident involved stalking, assault, sexual assault, or criminal harassment.
Was it legal for my employer to fire me for filing a complaint?
No. Federal and state laws prohibit employers from retaliating against their employees for reporting sexual harassment at their workplace. This means you cannot be punished, demoted, or fired for filing a claim. If your employer retaliates against you for reporting sexual harassment, document the incident and tell your lawyer.
What about harassment by a co-worker outside of office hours?
It is possible to hold employers accountable for sexual harassment during work-related travel, work-sponsored events, and potentially even some non-work events. Texting or emailing offensive material, or engaging in online harassment via social media, may also be grounds to file a claim.
When does a comment cross the line and become sexual harassment?
This is considered on a case-by-case basis, but the nature of the compliment or comment needs to be considered along with its tone and context. If the comment is sexually suggestive or makes you feel uncomfortable or objectified, it may be considered sexual harassment.
