If you’re successful in a sexual harassment in the workplace case in Illinois, you may be able to recover damages. Damages are monetary awards meant to compensate you for the harm that you suffered as a result of the harassment. There are different types of damages that you might be able to recover if you win. Those include:
- Compensatory damages: These damages are intended to compensate you for the actual harm that you have suffered as a result of the sexual harassment, or “make you whole.” This can include things like back-pay, therapy costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are intended to compensate you for the emotional and physical harm that you have suffered as a result of the sexual harassment. This includes things like pain and suffering and emotional distress. In Illinois you do not have to prove a physical injury to be awarded emotional damages (unlike personal injury). This means that even if you suffered no physical injuries as a result of the harassment, you can still recover for emotional distress. Some examples of commonly overlooked physical injuries suffered as a result of harassment are loss of sleep and nausea.
- Attorney’s fees: If you win your case, you may be able to recover attorney’s fees and costs in Illinois. This helps if your attorney handles your case on a contingency-fee basis.
Damages in Sexual Harassment Cases Depends on Evidence
It is important to note that the amount of damages that you may be able to recover will depend on the evidence you provide. For example, testifying that you feel depressed due to the sexual harassment may be enough for a minimal amount of damages. But submitting medical records showing that you were diagnosed with depression and received treatment for it will likely lead to larger damages. That is one reason why it is always important to seek professional help whenever you face sexual harassment.
Please reach out to us and we’d be happy to further discuss potential damages on your case.