WHY WE'RE RIGHT FOR YOU

If you are the victim of an accident, you may not be aware of your rights and of how the process works. Don’t be rushed into a decision to settle by an insurance company or fail to get the medical attention you need.

 

It can be overwhelming to confront the decisions you face after an injury. What are your options? Can you afford treatment? What if things get worse? It may seem manageable now, but will it always be? It’s not uncommon for those who have been hurt physically to also experience emotional and mental suffering as well, such as depression and anxiety. You may feel immobilized physically and emotionally.

Even though going through a painful and serious personal injury can be one of the most devastating and difficult experiences of your life, the physical and mental anguish you go through should not be endured alone. Nor should the burden, both emotional and financial, fall exclusively on you and your family. Accidents happen at an alarming rate. If something were to happen to you or a loved one, it is important for you to get help from experienced personal injury attorneys – professionals who can talk with you about your options and help you find a way forward.

At Womack Law, we have helped victims and their families in Texas (and across the country) find justice for years. Our personal dedication to getting you the compensation you deserve is second to none. If you’re not sure of whether or not you need a lawyer, please call for a free and fair evaluation of your situation. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, please call us at (713) 322-9993, day or night, for a free consultation.

Not sure? Learn more about our experience and who we are HERE

Here are just some of the types of cases in which we have helped people:

CAR ACCIDENTS

In an instant, a car accident can destroy the lives of victims and their families. Millions of Americans are injured every year in motor vehicle accidents. Thousands of innocent people are killed, and those who survive often walk away with permanent disabilities, including brain damage and spinal cord injuries. The cost of medical care associated with treating car accident injuries can be extreme, and in many situations the injured individual may not be able to return to work for a long period of time, if ever. Because these injuries are often catastrophic and life changing, victims and their families need to be represented by a skilled Texas car accident trial lawyer who will fight to get them the full compensation they need and deserve.

As the population continues to increase each year in Texas (and especially Houston), so do the number of cars and accidents. There are a number of reasons why car accidents occur, including the carelessness of distracted drivers, reckless or erratic driving, alcohol and drugs, and many other factors. As drivers, we do not realize how big of an impact a car accident can play in our lives, until it is too late. At Womack Trial Lawyers, our car accident lawyers have seen first-hand the damage (physical, mental, emotional, or financial) a car accident can do to innocent victims and their families. We are here to help the victims and their families recover fair compensation after an accident.

AGGRESSIVELY ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS OF CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, protect your rights by contacting the experienced attorneys at Womack Trial Lawyers. While you may think that the insurance company is on your side, insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to pay you as little as possible. When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, the insurance company may offer you a quick settlement, hoping they can resolve your case for less compensation. These companies know that you are in a vulnerable position and they will use this to their own advantage. A skilled automobile accident attorney can provide you with the protection you need to secure a fair and just recovery. Our lawyers know how the insurance companies operate and are prepared to stand up for you and fight for your rights at every stage of the process.

Even if your accident was caused by a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured/underinsured motorist, we may be able to get you compensation from your own insurance company or the criminal justice system. We have an in-depth understanding of the laws governing the insurance industry and know how victims of motor vehicle accidents must be compensated under Texas law (and across the country). Our lawyers also have years of experience aggressively negotiating with insurance companies, and taking them to trial when necessary. When you hire our firm, you can be confident that you are being represented by first rate trial attorneys who will take the right steps to obtain a maximum settlement for your injuries. We have represented hundreds of clients and secured more millions in settlements and verdicts.

7 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

To learn more about what to do when a car accident occurs, our legal team at Womack Law Firm Trial Lawyers car accident lawyers have comprised a list of the 7 Steps to Take After a Car Accident. Although no one ever plans on being in a car accident, it is best to be prepared if and when one occurs. These steps will ensure your and your passengers’ safety and can preserve potential evidence that will be valuable to your car accident claim.

TYPES OF CAR ACCIDENTS

Car accidents range in causes, impact, severity, and several other factors. However, the emotional, physical, and financial stress will always cause a burden to the innocent victims who have been involved. The types of car accidents include multi-car collisions, rear-end accidents, head-on crashes, side-impact accidents, side-swipe crashes, hit and run accidents, and more.

Our team of Womack Law Firm car accident personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling all types of car accidents and will do whatever it takes to help those who have been injured.

Regardless of the type of car accident you or a loved one has been involved in, our legal team and top car accident lawyers will always fight for innocent victims to obtain the justice and compensation they deserve for their loss.

HOW A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY CAN HELP

An experienced car accident lawyer can help make all the difference for victims. We know how stressful it can be for the victims who have been involved in a car accident, because it can be detrimental not only physically, but emotionally and financially as well. Trying to handle a car accident claim on your own will not only get you less than you deserve, but it can be more stressful than you think.

Most people believe that your insurance company is on your side. However, that cannot be further from the truth. Insurance companies do not have car accident victims’ best interests at heart. In reality, insurance companies are trained to pay car accident victims less than what they deserve because insurance companies are in the business of making money by paying mush less than what they collect in insurance premiums.

Fortunately, our legal team and best auto accident lawyers are trained and experienced in dealing with insurance companies to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Our top car accident lawyers will handle every part of your claim, including legal guidance, scheduling your treatment appointments, negotiating all your bills, communicating with the insurance adjusters, and so much more.  We will do whatever it takes to get our clients the legal justice and compensation they deserve for their loss.

COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS

If you have been involved in an accident due to the fault of another driver, you have the right to obtain compensation for your losses. Car accidents can result in extensive damages, including medical bills, property damage, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and several other financial burdens that can easily add up.

At Womack Law Firm, our trial lawyers will fight for the fair compensation you deserve after a car accident. Our legal team and auto collision attorneys know what it takes to protect your legal rights. You can trust that we will aggressively fight to obtain fair compensation you deserve.

UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORISTS

In Texas, and many other states, there are many drivers who are either uninsured or underinsured. Although it is illegal for drivers to operate a vehicle without car insurance, it is still a common occurrence. As a result, insurance companies in Texas are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to policy holders to protect them against uninsured or underinsured drivers.

For instance, if the person who caused the accident is uninsured or underinsured, the uninsured/underinsured policy will protect you and you may be able to recover compensation from your own insurance company.

To learn more about what to do when a car accident occurs and how we can work with you to achieve an optimal outcome in your case, please take a look at our BLOG for more information.

Are You Looking For A Car Accident Lawyer?

Our team of experienced lawyers can help you after a car accident.   Often times car accidents can lead to traumatic injuries and car damage that can be a huge financial drain on anyone.  Hiring a car accident lawyer can get you the compensation you need to get your life back.

It only takes a moment and your life can change after a car accident. It can be overwhelming to confront the decisions you face after an injury. What are your options? Can you afford treatment? What if things get worse? It may seem manageable now, but will it always be? It’s not uncommon for those who have been hurt physically to also experience emotional and mental suffering as well, such as depression and anxiety. You may feel immobilized physically and emotionally

 

Even though going through a painful and serious personal injury can be one of the most devastating and difficult experiences of your life, the physical and mental anguish you go through should not be endured alone. Nor should the burden, both emotional and financial, fall exclusively on you and your family. Accidents happen at an alarming rate. If something were to happen to you or a loved one, it is important for you to get help from experienced personal injury attorneys – professionals who can talk with you about your options and help you find a way forward.

 

At Womack Law, we have helped victims and their families in Texas (and across the country) find justice for years. Our personal dedication to getting you the compensation you deserve is second to none. If you’re not sure of whether or not you need a lawyer, please call for a free and fair evaluation of your situation. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, please call us at (713) 322-9993, day or night, for a free consultation.

Serious Injuries After Car Accident

Serious injuries can impact you for the rest of your life. They can greatly change your quality of life, leaving you with crippling pain or limited mobility. Some serious injuries can make it difficult or impossible for you to work, or you may have permanent scars that affect your self-confidence.

When you’ve suffered these injuries due to another person’s negligence, you should be compensated financially for all the ways in which your suffering will impact your life. Compensation for your injuries will correlate with your injuries’ seriousness, as well as how they will impact your future.

All accidents have the potential to cause serious injury, but some injuries are unique to vehicle crashes, such as whiplash. Below, you’ll find some common serious injuries associated with car accidents:

  • Spine, back, and neck injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Broken and fractured bones
  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Dismemberment and amputation
  • Severe burns
  • Permanent scarring

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

The Epidemic of Truck Accidents: Will You Be a Statistic?

Did you know that road crashes are expected to become the fifth leading cause of death in the United States by 2030? That’s a pretty sobering statistic. Among the deaths in 2014, 3,660 were caused by a collision with a big truck or bus. Sixty-eight percent of the fatalities were passengers in motor vehicles, while 15 percent were bicyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians.

When we say big trucks, we mean 18-wheelers, cement trucks, coal trucks, buses and the like. Anyway, you get the picture. However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 72 percent of truck accidents resulting in fatalities in 2014 involved tractor-trailers. With 15.5 million trucks on the road and out of that figure, two million tractor-trailers out of a total of 200 million licensed drivers, the odds point to tractor-trailers as some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.

After any accident, especially one involving an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck, there’s little time to think.  Here’s a CHECKLIST to get you what you need:

  • Stay at the scene.If your car is not in a safe place, move it to a safe place, as close to the accident scene as possible.
  • Call 911 for helpif you/somebody else is injured. If you are unable to call, tell somebody you are injured as soon as possible and ask them to call 911.
  • Check others for injuryif you are able. First passengers in your car, then the other vehicles involved. If you haven’t already, call 911 for help if anybody is hurt.
  • Call the police if there’s property damage but nobody is injured.
  • Get information from the other driver(s):
    • Name;
    • Insurance info (insurance carrier; policy number; agent name & phone number);
    • License plate number;
    • Driver’s License Number.
  • Get names and contact info from any witnesses.

Vehicular Weight and Long Stopping Distance Are Causes of Truck Accidents

There are numerous causes of truck accidents, and knowing what they are can help explain the incidence of road crashes. One is the weight and stopping distance of a big truck. The weight of your average motor vehicle is about 2.5 tons, while a tractor-trailer can weigh 40 tons.

It takes much longer to stop a tractor-trailer than a motor vehicle. For example, if a vehicle and a tractor-trailer are both driving at 40 mph and start braking at the same moment, the tractor-trailer will travel 45 feet further before coming to a complete stop.

While a passenger car needs about 306 feet to stop after braking, a tractor-trailer needs 525 feet. That’s about the length of 1.5 football fields. Speed is also an important factor when applying the brakes. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the longer it takes to stop. Because of the size and weight of a big truck, fatalities and injuries are common.

Truck Accident Statistics Show a High Incidence of Fatalities

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes accident statistics that include a separate category for large trucks. Statistics from 2014 show an increase of fatalities from truck accidents from one year earlier, and over half of those accidents involved a rollover. Two-vehicle accidents accounted for 61 percent of accidents, while accidents that involved multiple vehicles were at 21 percent.  In 2016, 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes

While most crashes have more than one contributing factor, vehicle failure, following too close, overcompensating while steering evasively, fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel and physical impairment were major contributing factors. Vehicle, driver and environmental factors may have contributed to the accidents also, although they did not always contribute to the crash.

According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted for the FMCSA:

  • Twenty-seven percent of trucks were found to have brake problems
  • Nineteen percent of drivers were unfamiliar with the route
  • 10 percent of truck drivers felt under pressure
  • Seven percent were overly tired
  • Three percent experienced tire problems
  • Five percent were driving in an aggressive manner
  • One percent were ill
  • 4 percent were under the influence of illegal substances
  • 3 percent had been consuming alcohol

Semi-truck Accident Statistics: Settlements in the Billions

When people are injured or die as the result of an accident that is the fault of a large truck, it can result in large settlements. Semi-truck accidents cost $20 billion per year in accident settlements with about half of that amount awarded to injured victims who suffered a diminished or lost quality of life.

The FMCSA requires all carriers to be insured. Trucks that haul freight must carry between $750 thousand and $5 million in insurance coverage. The amount of coverage a trucker must carry depends on what is being hauled. However, this insurance coverage is not coverage per person, but per incident.

The weight of truck and the material that is hauled determines the coverage. For instance, carriers that weigh under 10,001 pounds and haul non-hazardous freight have to be insured for $300 thousand.

On The Job Injury

Job Related Injuries by the Number

According to the Department of Labor, there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2016.

There were a total of 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2016.

Womack Trial Lawyers serve victims of On-the-Job Injuries in Houston, Texas and cities throughout Texas.

If you are injured while working on the job here in Texas you are entitled to workers compensation benefits.

If you are injured by a third party or a defective product while on the job in Texas, you may also have a separate claim against the negligent company, person or the product’s manufacturer.

For instance, if you are a Texas oil field worker who is injured in an accident at or with another company, or by another company’s equipment, actions or negligence, you may have a personal injury claim against that company.

If you’ve been injured in an on-the-job accident of any kind, we can help.

Steps to Take After a Work Injury

  1. File a Report of Injury
  2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
  3. Document Everything
  4. Contact a Work Injury Lawyer at (713) 322-9993

Filing a Report of Injury

You must file a report of the injury immediately.  How you do this depends on where the injury took place. 

Injured at Your Place of Work?

File an Initial Report of Injury Immediately.  This means contacting your supervisor and perhaps your Human Resources Department immediately after injury.  Failure to report the injury within 24-48 hours could result in loss of a right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits.

Injured While Driving for Your Employer?

If you are in a car crash while driving for your job, you need to take several steps to protect yourself:

  • Call the police and file a police report.
  • Call your employer and report the crash.
  • Follow the Steps in the section “Injured at Your Place of Work.”
  • Injured on Third-Party Property?

Contact a manager at the third-party site.  The third-party may have their own injury reporting process.  The sooner the manager gets notice of the incident, the more likely they are to preserve any video evidence.

What the Insurance Company Does NOT Want YOU TO KNOW

Insurance companies are notorious for giving people the runaround, but a skilled Texas on-the-job injury trial lawyer from Womack Law Firm understands the complications and red tape that can occur when dealing with a workers’ compensation case and get you the money you are due.

Here are a few tips:

  1. You don’t have to give the insurance company a recorded statement
  2. You may be entitled to benefits even if you caused your own injury
  3. Even though you had a prior injury to the same area, you may still be entitled to benefits
  4. You may be owed money for you mileage, parking and prescriptions
  5. You may be owed money for your permanent injuries and scarring

Product Liability

Have You Been Injured By A Defective Or Dangerous Product?
If So, Our Product Liability Services Will Get You The Compensation You Deserve.

Every day, we place trust in products to perform as their manufacturers claim. Our car will slow when we hit the brakes. The medicine will make us better. It is safe to plug in this coffee maker. Sometimes, those products let us down.

Product liability law is the remedy for people whose products failed to products to perform as the manufacturer claims. The failure can be the:

  • Product design – the product is dangerous when used properly
  • Product performance – the product causes injury or worse when used in a reasonable way
  • Product Marketing – Marketing fails to disclose a product risk or warning

Common types of product liability cases include:

  • Automotive – we are never more trusting than when we drive
  • Children’s Products – toys and products for children have the highest expectation for safety
  • Medicine and medical devices – we ARE using them for our health
  • Food products – when a food product causes injury.

Defective Product Statistics

TIRES: In one of the largest tire recalls in American history, Firestone/Bridgestone recalled millions of tires in August 2000 after numerous reports of fatal accidents involving sport utility vehicles (SUVs), in particular the Ford Explorer.

BATTERIES: On December 16 of 2005, the CPSC recalled 22,000 Dell Notebook computer batteries. These batteries can overheat, posing a fire risk.

TOYS: According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2002 there were an estimated 212,000 emergency room visits for dangerous toy use alone. Toys In 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced 80 recalls of toys and other children’s products due to safety hazards. Toys The increase from 2000 to 2001 can be primarily attributed to a rise in injuries associated with unpowered scooters (i.e., from 42,505 injuries in 2000 to 99,812 injuries in 2001).

GAS WATER HEATERS: Gas water heater ignition of flammable vapors is involved in nearly 800 residential fires, resulting in an average of five deaths and 130 injuries annually, according to commission estimates. The fires typically occur when consumers use flammable liquids, usually gasoline, for cleaning purposes, or when a flammable liquid leaks or is spilled near the water heater. When the vapors come in contact with the appliance’s burner or pilot light, the vapors ignite, causing a severe flashback fire.

ATVs: As of December 31, 2016, there were reports of 14,653 ATV-related fatalities occurring between 1982 and 2016.

FURNITURE: An estimated 30,700 people were treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency departments for product instability or tip-over injuries related to televisions, furniture, and appliances from 2014 through 2016. The furniture category had the largest number of instability or tip-over-related injuries among the three product categories, with a national annual average estimate of 19,500 injuries (64 percent).

PLAYGROUNDS: From 2009 to 2014, more than 3,000 children were injured by playground equipment.

A Product Liability Attorney Will Help You

If you have been injured by a product, the first step after proper medical attention should be a product liability attorney. Don’t try to deal with a giant corporation alone. The insurance companies will do everything in their power to get you to back down, to believe it’s your own fault, or otherwise avoid liability. Womack Law has the experience and tenacity to fight for you.

Don’t speak with any representatives from the company or distributors of faulty products without first speaking with one of our attorneys. Please keep any packaging and information you have about the defective product. 

Probate

Estate planning is a serious undertaking. It is essential to think about your family’s future and how you would like important issues handled when you are no longer able to speak for yourself if an accident takes place, you become disabled, or someone passes away. These circumstances and others must be taken into consideration when determining how your estate will be handled should such circumstances arise.

At Womack Law, we can help you answer the important questions and create the appropriate documents to ensure that your wishes will be known and enforceable if you are unable to articulate them yourself.

Estate Planning Basics

As estate planning can be an emotionally charged undertaking, many people want to avoid thinking about it. Many of the clients we encounter do not know very much about estate planning. Our attorneys are able to give clients an overview of the relevant topics including:

  • Wills;
  • Trusts;
  • Deeds/Joint Tenancy;
  • Taxes;
  • Living Wills; and
  • Powers of Attorney.

We can help you clarify your wishes and draft the appropriate documents to ensure that they are legally enforceable.

Probate Issues

With proper estate planning under the guidance of a knowledgeable Texas estate planning attorney, most estates can be settled quickly and efficiently. However, not everyone seeks estate planning guidance, and many people forget to update their estate planning documents when circumstances in their life change, such as if a divorce has taken place and the former spouse’s name is still included in the documents. In some cases, there is no will at all when a person passes away. As a result, many estates end up in probate court in order to determine the legal distribution of assets. We represent clients who are dealing with probate issues, helping them understand the legal system as it applies to their specific situation, and seeking legal recourse when necessary.

When dealing with something as important as estate planning, it is imperative that you seek guidance from a law firm you can trust. While some individuals may try to draft their own will, it can be easy to overlook details that may make it difficult for your heirs to enforce your wishes. At Womack Law, we focus on understanding our clients’ goals and helping them find practical solutions for their concerns. We make the law accessible and understandable to our clients, so that they can rest assured, confident that their wishes regarding property, assets, and end-of-life care will be followed. If you have not created an estate plan or would like assistance in changing yours, contact us at (713) 322-9993 today to schedule a consultation.

The trial attorneys at Womack Law provide estate planning guidance to clients throughout Texas.

The team at Womack Law has the experience and legal knowledge to help you with:

  • Trusts: A living trust is often the foundation of a comprehensive estate plan. Living trusts are revocable, but there are many different types of trusts that can be used to protect your assets and to allocate them to your chosen beneficiaries. We will work with you in determining which trusts are right for your situation and what provisions should be incorporated into your trusts to make them work for you.
  • Wills: A Last Will and Testament forms a part of your estate plan and may be very basic if it is working in combination with a living trust or very comprehensive if it is a standalone document. A will names your executor and provides where your property should go upon your death; it may also serve to designate a guardian for your minor or disabled children.
  • Powers of Attorney: A power of attorney allows you to appoint another person who can make decisions on your behalf in the event you cannot make them for yourself.
  • Tax Planning: Tax considerations are important in any estate plan, and there are various strategies available that can help you and your family legally reduce your tax liabilities.

Established Law Firm Ready to Serve You

Womack Law has deep roots in the community and is committed to helping our neighbors reach their estate planning goals. We are also one of very few firms in the region that is equipped to assist Spanish-speaking individuals and families with estate planning and elder law concerns.

Wills

No matter how large or small your estate may be, the greatest gift that you can leave your loved ones is security. At Womack Law, our skilled lawyers know that one of the best ways to offer security to your family is by creating a comprehensive, well-designed estate plan customized to meet your specific needs and those of your loved ones. We understand how to use a full range of estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more, to help you give your family the peace of mind they deserve.

Drafting and Executing Wills in Houston, Texas

Wills are the foundation for most effective estate plans. Also called a last will and testament, a will is a legal document that records your wishes regarding your property, minor children, and many other considerations. Your will should be tailored to address your unique situation and may contain provisions for:

  • Appointing an executor for your estate.
  • Settling any outstanding obligations and debts.
  • Allocating your assets to your heirs and beneficiaries.
  • Donating to charitable causes.
  • Selecting a guardian for your children.

Our experienced team can assist you in drafting and executing a will that effectively addresses all of your concerns. We will also take every precaution to ensure that your will is sound enough to withstand challenges or contests made during probate.

A Trusted Team Ready to Serve You

At Womack Law we understand that the estate planning process can be difficult and that you may have many questions along the way. That is why we take the time to educate you on your available options and provide insight as you make the necessary decisions. If you already have a will, but it is in need of a review or an update, we can help with that as well.

Attorney Sydney Meriwether Womack is fearless in her mission to help individuals and families throughout the greater Houston/Harris County area of Texas. 

If you have questions about wills, contact our office a confidential consultation today.

Sexual Harassment

Employees in Texas are legally entitled to be free from sexual harassment in the workplace. This means they should not be forced to work in an environment which subjects them to unwanted touching, requests for sexual favors or required to listen to graphic and inappropriate jokes or other content of a sexual nature. If you are employed in a place and are subject to sexual harassment, you may be able to make a legal claim for damages.

I think I’ve been sexually harassed. What should I do?

If you believe that you have been sexually harassed, you should report the conduct to your employer (if you feel comfortable). If you are a non-employee, you should also report the conduct to your own employer, temporary agency or placement agency. 

Know your rights. We can help.

It is very important to follow internal grievance procedures to make the employer aware of the sexual harassment, especially if the harasser is a co-worker.  Under the law, an employer is required to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of a complaint –and in certain conditions, if the employer is unaware of the harassment, it can escape legal liability.  One exception is when the harasser is the owner or manager of the business, in which case there can be automatic or strict liability for such conduct.

If you have been subject to harassment, it is wise to speak with an experienced attorney to learn your rights.

At Womack Law, we have helped victims of sexual harassment in Texas (and across the country) find justice for years. Our personal dedication to getting you the compensation you deserve is second to none. If you’re not sure of whether or not you need a lawyer, please call for a free and fair evaluation of your situation at (713) 322-9993, day or night, for a free consultation.

12 examples of conduct that may be sexual harassment:

  1. Comments about your body, your clothing or personal behavior
  2. Repeatedly asking you out or requesting sexual favors
  3. Telling rumors about your personal or sexual life
  4. Sexual or sex-based jokes, depending on the severity
  5. Physical conduct – rape or assault, impeding or blocking your movement, inappropriate touching of your body or clothing, kissing, hugging, patting, tickling or brushing against you
  6. Looking up and down your body
  7. Derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature; sexually suggestive sounds or motions
  8. Following or stalking you
  9. Drawings, pictures, texts or emails of a sexual nature
  10. Direct or indirect threats or bribes for unwanted sexual activity
  11. Using the explicit or implicit threat of termination, reduced hours, less desirable work assignments or other punitive measures to put pressure on the employee to have a romantic relationship or sexual relations
  12. Using benefits or incentives – such as promotions, pay raises or a more desirable shift or assignment – offered  in exchange for sexual or romantic favors

What to do when you are sexually harassed:

  • Say no.  Direct communication, whether verbal or in writing, is better than ignoring the behavior.  You must make sure the harasser knows that you consider his or her conduct to be unwelcome.  Don’t flirt back.  Firmly refuse all invitations for dates or personal interaction outside of work.
  • Report harassment to your employer.  It is very important that you report the harassment because your employer must know or have reason to know about the harassment in order to be legally responsible for a co-worker, client or customer’s sexually harassing conduct.  If we are retained early enough, we can sometimes convince your employer to intervene on your behalf.  The harasser may be fired or relocated or, if you desire, you may be moved to a different location.
  • Write it down and keep records. As soon as you experience the harassment, start writing down exactly what happened.  Write down the dates, places, times, witnesses and exactly what happened.  Keep copies of your performance evaluations and any emails or letters documenting the quality of your work.
  • Negotiate an exit.  If you simply wish to get out and be made whole financially, Womack Law attorneys can often negotiate an exit package that preserves your reputation and your ability to get a new job.  Womack Law attorneys can insure that confidentiality issues are properly addressed.
  • Harassment lawsuits.  If your employer is unwilling to negotiate an out-of-court settlement, Womack Law attorneys can represent you with the EEOC or state equivalent agency and with a lawsuit.