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How Much Do You Get From A Discrimination Lawsuit?

Posted by Eric Kingsley | Jan 03, 2022 | 0 Comments

Discrimination in the workplace is more common that we might think it is. An employment discrimination lawsuit is adjudicated in civil courts. This means that the plaintiff, in such cases, the employee, has the burden of proof. In other words, he or she must show evidence that there was discrimination in the workplace.

discrimination lawsuit worth

The amount of compensation that can be typically recovered from a workplace discrimination lawsuit depends on the nature and severity of the discriminatory practices. See Key Points - Table of Contents below.  The more egregious the discrimination and more severe the losses suffered by the victim, the greater the value of the case could be.


Table of Contents


Damages In A Discrimination Case

Here are some of the common types of damages you may seek in a workplace discrimination case:

Back pay: The term "back pay" refers to lost earnings as a result of the discrimination, from the date of the discriminatory act to the date of the settlement or judgment in the plaintiff's favor. So, for example, if a jury determines that your employer fired you because of your age, you could be awarded back pay from the date of your firing to the date the jury decided in your favor.

Front pay: This refers to lost earnings as a result of the discrimination. Front pay essentially compensates you for wages you will likely lose in the future as a result of the act of discrimination. The end date for the front pay depends on how long you continue to lose pay. For example, if you are able to show evidence that you won't be able to find another job for six months or a year, you will be awarded front pay for that duration. A plaintiff can prove this by bringing forth an expert to testify at the trial.

Lost Benefits: As part of a workplace discrimination lawsuit, you may also be able to recover damages for lost job benefits. These benefits can include health care coverage, dental and vision coverage, pension or 401k plans, stock options and other types of profit-sharing plans. While it can be challenging to quantify the value of lost benefits in dollars, your employment lawyer will be able to do so with the help of a qualified expert. 

Attorney's fees and punitive damages: Punitive damages are intended to punish or deter defendants from engaging in especially egregious conduct. The amount of such damages is entirely up to the jury. In addition to the damages you may be able to recover for your losses, you may also be able to ask for and get attorneys' fees. This means that the defendant will have to pay the amount you spent in attorneys' fees. This also means that the fees won't cut into your monetary recovery. A majority of plaintiffs' attorneys work on a contingent fee basis, which means they take a percentage of what they recover for you as their fees.

Damages For Emotional Distress

When it comes to discrimination in the workplace, in addition to monetary losses, victims could suffer a significant amount of emotional distress as well. Emotional distress could cover a range of issues in the context of a workplace discrimination lawsuit including but not limited to depression, anxiety, inability to sleep, loss of life's enjoyment, harm to one's reputation and strained relationships with family members and friends.

In order to receive damages for pain and suffering, plaintiffs must prove that their employer's discriminatory behavior caused the emotional harm they suffered. Some of the important issues to consider when you are trying to evaluate the extent of emotional distress damages in a discrimination lawsuit include:

  • The severity of the discriminatory behavior.
  • The time period for which the discriminatory behavior lasted.
  • The severity and duration of the emotional harm.
  • If the plaintiff sought counseling or professional treatment from a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or some other professional.

Proving Emotional Distress 

If you are seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress in a workplace discrimination case, you need to provide evidence that you did in fact suffer emotional distress. For example, if you say that your discrimination caused you to suffer depression, you may have to provide medical evidence or testimony from a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor who can corroborate the fact that you went into depression as a result of mistreatment, in this case, discrimination at work. 

However, it is not necessary to actually have a medical professional testify at the trial or even having sought such medical help. You may tell jurors about your experience of being emotionally affected. Through such testimony, jurors can learn about the impact your employer's discriminatory behavior had on your psyche and your general emotional well being.

This is why it can be extremely valuable to preserve as much evidence as possible of the emotional distress you suffered. This may exist in the form of emails, texts, internal memos, journals, etc. It is a good idea to maintain a journal describing your feelings and emotions. Your family members, friends and co-workers may also be able to provide statements corroborating such evidence, based on their observations of you.

Proving emotional distress can be challenging and complex. It is important to preserve any type of evidence that shows the extent of emotional harm that was caused and consult with an experienced Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer who can help you navigate what can be a lengthy process and assist you with compiling crucial evidence that could help bolster your case and maximize your chances to receive fair compensation for your losses.

Consulting With An Experienced Attorney

Speaking with a knowledgeable Los Angeles employment discrimination attorney can be critical when it comes to making decisions that are in your best interest. Too many employees research online and take action that makes their situation even worse. The attorneys at Kingsley & Kingsley Lawyers are here to help. They provide free consultations that will answer your questions and give you the information you need to make a decision about what you should do next.

Our skilled employment lawyers in Los Angeles, CA have four decades of experience fighting for the rights of employees and holding at-fault employers accountable. As an experienced law firm they can help you understand what to ask for in a discrimination settlement. Their no-win-no-fee warranty ensures that you pay only if they recover compensation for you. They understand that facing any type of discrimination can take a physical, emotional and financial toll on you and your family. If you have faced workplace discrimination and would like some help, call their office at (818) 990-8300 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.

What Are The Odds Of Winning A Discrimination Case?

Your chances of winning a discrimination case are much higher if you have the evidence and documentation to support your claim of discrimination. Such evidence could be direct or circumstantial. Our Los Angeles discrimination lawyers strongly recommend that clients document incidents of discrimination or harassment as they occur. It would be in your best interest to keep a log or journal of specific acts or statements made by your supervisor, colleague or even client or customer, which are discriminatory in nature or that constitute being sexually harassed.

It is imperative that you save any emails, memos or written correspondence that shows such discrimination. You must do so in a location where you can readily access it. This means, it is not a good idea to store your evidence in an office computer. Keep it in your personal computer at home where you can readily access it when needed. Once you file a complaint, our attorneys will help compile and present the evidence. Our employment lawyers may also be able to obtain your personnel files and other key evidence that will help significantly strengthen your claim and significantly improve your chances of winning.

How Much Should I Ask For In A Discrimination Case?

There are a number of factors that could have an impact on how much compensation you can seek in a discrimination case. Here are some of those factors:

  • The strength of your evidence
  • The nature and extent of damages you suffered as a direct result of the discrimination
  • How outrageous was your employer's discriminatory conduct?
  • Did your employer have a history or track record of discriminatory behavior or allowing such conduct to take place?
  • Does your employer have sufficient resources to pay a judgment?
  • If your employer has an insurance policy to cover these types of claims, how much are those policies worth?

It can be challenging to predict what your discrimination case may be worth. A majority of these cases get settled out of court, but some do go to trial. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the average settlement for employment discrimination claims is about $40,000. However, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, settlements or verdicts can climb to seven figures. An experienced Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer can help analyze all aspects of your case and determine the value of your claim.

Here are some of the damages awarded in these types of cases:

Economic damages: This includes back pay and front pay as well as benefits lost because of the discriminatory or retaliatory conduct.

Non-economic damages: These damages compensate plaintiffs for emotional distress and suffering that the discriminatory or retaliatory conduct caused them.

Punitive damages: These damages are designed to punish or penalize an employer for egregious discriminatory behavior or retaliation.

Attorney's fees: In some cases, you may also be able to receive attorney's fees and court costs associated with your discrimination case.

Is it worth suing for discrimination?

Making a decision to sue your employer for discrimination can be a big step. One of the questions we get most often is whether it's worth suing an employer for discrimination in the workplace. There are certain benefits when you decide to file a discrimination lawsuit. It will not only benefit you, but your co-workers as well because it will likely make your workplace safer by creating a better environment for all. When you sue, you can also obtain a legal remedy for the discrimination you have faced. Employers often offer a significant sum in these cases.

You may be able to secure financial compensation through a settlement or a jury award, depending on the course your case takes. Being compensated for the harm you have suffered is crucial, particularly if you were wrongfully terminated or forced to quit your job because of a hostile work environment. Such mistreatment could also cause your reputation to be tarnished and prevent you from getting other jobs or pursuing better career opportunities.

About the Author

Eric Kingsley

Eric B. Kingsley is a 2023 "Best In Law" Award winner and has litigated over 150 class actions. He is also an AV peer rated attorney and a prolific speaker at various seminars on employment law.

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