STATE LAW

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS

• Every state has laws that protect employees from unlawful discrimination. These laws may be more expansive than similar federal laws, encompassing more employers and additional classes of victims.  Or they may offer protection not available under federal law. For example, the U.S. Congress has yet to adopt legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but almost half of the states and the District of Columbia have adopted such laws.  Thus, a victim of harassment based on sexual orientation may be able to file a lawsuit in state court that would not be possible in federal court. Check the laws in your state.

OTHER POSSIBLE REMEDIES:

• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. Generally, the distress must be very severe.
• Defamation.
• Assault and/or battery.
• False imprisonment.
• Tortuous interference with the employment contract or business relationships.
• Failure of an employer to exercise reasonable care with respect to the hiring, supervision and retention of your abuser.

(9/10)