Female worker being harassed

Sexual Harassment Attorney Serving Dallas

Your workplace should be somewhere that you feel safe, protected, and empowered.

If you are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, you may be unsure of what to do to protect yourself and your career.

Sexual harassment attorney Dan A. Atkerson has been helping workers in Dallas, TX, for over 35 years. He is here to help you. 

Request a Free Legal Consultation Today

If you've been victimized by co-workers or your supervisor, it's important that you contact a sexual harassment lawyer. Our team at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson can review your case free of charge and recommend the next steps. We're here to listen, and to help; contact us online or call our law firm today.

What Does a Sexual Harassment Attorney Do?

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. A sexual harassment lawyer 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 every man and woman is entitled to a safe workplace where they can feel valued based on their performance. If you or a loved one is facing a harasser at work or during the interview process, contact us to protect your rights.

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.

Understanding the Costs Hiring a Sexual Harassment Attorney in Dallas

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIRE A SEXUAL HARASSMENT ATTORNEY IN DALLAS?

There are no up-front costs when you hire sexual harassment lawyer Dan Atkerson. In addition to consultations, we offer contingency-based legal services. Dan Atkerson is a contingency fee claims attorney who only gets paid a fee when he 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.

Sexual Harassment Claims Are Complicated What Types of Criteria Must Be Met?

In order 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 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: In order to prove harassment, 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. 

Talk to Mr. Atkerson Today Request a Consultation with Our Dallas Sexual Harassment Attorney

When you go to work, you expect to be treated with kindness, respect, and appreciation for your contributions. Harassment is completely unacceptable and can deeply affect how you feel about going to work every day. It can even take a toll on your personal life, causing anxiety, stress, humiliation, and low self-esteem. 

Dallas employment attorney Dan Atkerson understands how difficult it can be to pursue a sexual harassment claim on your own. As your attorney, he is here to handle your claim and stand by your side every step of the way. 

To find out if you have a case, schedule a consultation today at our law firm serving Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Allen, and all parts of North Texas. Send us a message or call us:

(214) 383-3606

"AMAZING attorney!... He has your back and will help you through it." Client Reviews for the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

1

Christian Allen

Allen, TX

2023

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Dan is incredibly knowledgable and understands employment law at a state, federal and local level and how that impacts the potential outcomes of lawsuits and claims against employers. Well spoken, insightful, friendly and sincerely willing to help. 

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1

Kendra Larach

Allen, TX

2023

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AMAZING attorney!... He has your back and will help you through it. He is very reliable, responds promptly and gets to it very fast! 100% recomended! Don’t let your employer take advantage of you!

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We're Located Just 30 Minutes From Dallas

Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

The Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson are located in Allen, TX, just 30 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. We offer consultations.

Anyone Can Be Victimized

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Men, women, and non-binary individuals can be victims and perpetrators of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between co-workers, supervisors and subordinates, between managers, and even in the text of a supervisor's reports. It can also occur between members of the opposite sex and members of the same sex.

What Exactly Is 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

How Harassment Cases Work & How Attorney Dan A. Atkerson Can Help

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 35 years, the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson will review your situation and help you take the right course of action.

"got the case settled perfectly. Highly recommended!" Hear About Our Clients' Experiences with Dan

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John Barba

Allen, TX

2023

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The Wealth of knowledge and value that Dan brings to challenging and complex employment issues is great. He is very personable, patient, assertive and results driven. I highly recommend him!!

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Maria Wang

Allen, TX

2023

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Attorney Atkerson is very professional. He stayed on top of my employment settlement case, communicated with the employer and myself promptly, and got the case settled perfectly. Highly recommended!

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Have You Been Sexually Harassed at Work? Contact a Lawyer About Your Case

If you've faced unwanted sexual advances at your job, or have been forced to endure a toxic work environment, it's crucial that you contact us about what happened. Attorney Dan A. Atkerson can review what transpired and let you know if you should pursue a sexual harassment claim.

Mr. Atkerson has practiced law in the Dallas area for more than 35 years. If Mr. Atkerson takes your case, you will not pay any legal fees unless and until he wins your case.

To discuss your situation, contact our law firm online. You can also reach the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson by phone at:

(214) 383-3606

An Employment Lawyer with More Than 35 Years in Practice Fighting for Workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

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Catherine D

Allen, TX

2023

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I hired Dan to handle a separation agreement. He is wonderful-quick to respond regardless of the time of day, knowledgeable, tenacious and a true advocate for his clients. I truly appreciated his guidance and care in handling the matter.

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Caleb Reynolds

Allen, TX

2023

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Very responsive and helpful with the whole process. I would definitely recommend Dan to represent you if your ever in need of a lawyer. You can tell he actually cares about your case when working with me.

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Severe or Pervasive Conduct

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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 that 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.

Today's Sexual Harassment Statistics Are Alarming

Nearly half of working women report having experienced some degree of harassment in the workplace. However only 5-15 percent of these women report their concerns to their employers.
*According to research reported by SHRM and Zippia

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 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.

Are You or a Loved One Experiencing Sexual
Harassment at Work?
Here's What You Should Do

Call Our Lawyer

If you are an employee facing sexual harassment or discrimination at work, going to work every day can become a struggle and you might be tempted to leave your job instead of telling someone about the harassment. 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 towards the next steps, and help you achieve the desired outcome.

Tell Your Manager

Failing to report sexual harassment to your employer can affect your case later on. Therefore, you should notify your manager immediately if you feel that you are experiencing sexual harassment. This should be done as soon as possible and in writing. This also allows your employer to investigate the situation and rectify it.

Don't Quit Your Job

While it can be tempting to quit your job and leave this dark period behind without telling anyone, quitting can prevent you from filing a claim in the future, and leaving without pursuing a case can mean that your harasser will not face the consequences of their actions.

Don't Delay File a Claim before Time Runs Out

You have 300 days from your employer's last discriminatory act to file a discrimination claim.

The passage of HB 21 changed Texas state law as of September 2021, extending the amount of time to file a sexual harassment claim.

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.

Schedule a Consultation Contact Our Law Firm to Take the Next Steps

During your consultation, Dallas attorney Dan Atkerson can help you: 

  • Determine if you have a sexual harassment case
  • Explain what steps you should take next
  • File a claim with the EEOC and Texas Workforce Commission if your employer has not responded to the harassment appropriately 
  • File claims in a timely, sufficient manner
  • Represent you during any consequent litigation
  • Help you get the outcome you deserve

Don't wait. Contact our Dallas attorney today to get started.

Call Us: (214) 383-3606

"If I could give this office 10 stars I would." We Helping Texas Workers through Employment Law Cases

1

Shasta Foy

Allen, TX

2023

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Be sure to hire Dan Atkerson to handle your case. He is brilliantly strategic, listens impeccably, is swift, and will keep you well informed. Dan will guide you through legal complexities in a manner that yields the most favorable outcomes. I trust him with my eyes closed because of his competence, engagement, and CARE.

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1

Rashadah Jordan

Allen, TX

2023

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If I could give this office 10 stars I would. Dan is honest and straightforward. He has helped me and my friends quickly and efficiently. He is not like other lawyers that try to make a killing off you but actually cares about your circumstance. I consider this office my go to and you should too. There's none like Dan's office! Thank you so much

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What Clients Are Saying

"Dan was able to represent me professionally and execute on all of the promises he made. He is a exceptional lawyer and an even better person.: Martin B.

Sexual Harassment FAQ

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.

Can My Employer Take Action Against Me for Filing a Sexual Harassment 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 or 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 needs to be 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.
Dan Atkerson

Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

Dan A. Atkerson has been protecting the rights of North Texas employees for over nearly four decades. He is affiliated with several prestigious legal organizations, including: 

  • The State Bar of Texas
  • The Dallas Bar Association
  • The United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit
  • Texas Supreme Court and all Texas trial and appellate courts
  • Texas federal courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas

Through aggressive, knowledgeable representation, he has helped clients all over the state reach significant verdicts and settlements. To schedule a consultation at our law firm, request an appointment online or call us at (214) 383-3606.

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