Lebanon Employment Discrimination Lawyer

Have you been a victim of workplace discrimination in Lebanon, PA? You might be entitled to significant compensation if you were discriminated against in the workplace because of your race, religion, sexual orientation, or membership in a protected class. An experienced Lebanon employment discrimination lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

Collectively, our lawyers have over 120 years of experience handling complex employment law matters. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients over the years.

No one should have to deal with unfair treatment in the workplace. Call our law offices in Lebanon, Pennsylvania at (717) 995-8963 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With an Employment Discrimination Claim in Lebanon, PA 

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With an Employment Discrimination Claim in Lebanon, PA 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and alone if you’ve been struggling with employment discrimination. However, 67,448 charges of workplace discrimination were filed with the EEOC in 2020. If you were a victim, working with an experienced Lebanon employment attorney is the best way to protect your legal rights.

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our top priority is to win fair compensation to cover all of the losses you’ve suffered – whether personal, professional, or financial.

Our Lebanon employment discrimination lawyers have been recognized for our success with numerous accolades over the years. We’ve been listed among the Best Lawyers of America, Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars,” and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

Hiring us means you’ll have a team of attorneys who will:

  • Identify the laws that apply in your case
  • Gather the evidence to support your claim
  • Handle all administrative paperwork required to submit your claim
  • Represent you during negotiations or mediation
  • Protect you from retaliation or harassment
  • Fight to protect your rights at trial if your case goes to court

It isn’t always easy to stand up and fight for yourself. You don’t have to rely on a lawyer directory for help. Our Lebanon personal injury attorneys are here to help every step of the way. To learn more about our practice areas, call our law firm for a free initial consultation today.

What Employment Discrimination Laws Can Help Me Protect My Rights in Lebanon, PA?

Workplace discrimination based on membership in a protected class violates both state and federal laws. When the acts of an employer, supervisor, or co-worker negatively impact the terms and conditions of employment, you may be entitled to take action under a number of employment service laws.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administers Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII protects employees against both intentional discrimination and acts that have a discriminatory impact on members of a protected class.

Under Title VII, “protected class” is defined to include:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Genetic Information
  • National Origin
  • Pregnancy
  • Race/Color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

If your employer has at least 15 employees, you’re covered by Title VII.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

If you are at least 40 years old, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects you from unfair practices that are based on your age. The ADEA protects both current employees and job applicants. For example, if you are otherwise qualified but are paid less or demoted because of your age, you may have a valid ADEA claim.

The Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on your disability, a perceived disability, or your association with someone with a disability. It can also provide protection for employees suffering from a temporary disability. 

If you are otherwise qualified, your employer may be required to provide reasonable accommodation to allow you to work despite your disability or medical condition.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Act

Pennsylvania state law provides many of the same protections available under federal laws. 

However, in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the definition of “protected group” is slightly different and includes:

  • Race
  • Religion 
  • Color
  • Familial status
  • Ancestry
  • Age
  • Sex or sexual orientation 
  • National origin 
  • Disability or handicap

You may also have a valid claim if you suffered from discrimination because of your need to use support animals in the workplace due to blindness or hearing loss.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Employment Discrimination?

The types of damages that are available to a victim of employment discrimination can vary widely. The damages you receive should be sufficient to make you “whole” again. In other words, your damages will be designed to make it as though the discrimination never happened.

Depending on the circumstances, our lawyers may help you fight for:

  • Back pay and benefits
  • Placement in a different job
  • Reinstatement in your old job, if you were wrongfully terminated
  • Costs associated with conducting a new job search
  • Compensation for medical bills, if applicable
  • Compensation for emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders
  • Compensation for psychological counseling
  • Attorneys’ fees and costs
  • Court costs
  • Expert witness fees

In cases involving especially malicious acts, the courts may award punitive damages to punish your employer.

We Handle All Types of Employment Discrimination Claims in Lebanon, Pennsylvania

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our experienced Lebanon employment discrimination attorneys handle all types of work-related discrimination claims, including those involving:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Pregnancy discrimination
  • Gender and sexual orientation 
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Religious beliefs
  • Disability
  • Age discrimination
  • Racial discrimination
  • National origin
  • Veteran status or military service
  • Use of family and medical leave
  • Whistleblower status 
  • Equal Pay Act violations
  • Retaliation
  • Harassment 
  • Wage and hour violations

Some types of discrimination are intentional and obvious. Others can be much more subtle. You may be entitled to compensation whether you were a victim of intentional discrimination or if you were discriminated against because of unfair workplace practices.

Disparate Impact Employment Discrimination

Disparate impact employment discrimination happens when:

  • All employees are subject to the same policies and practices, and
  • Those rules disproportionately impact you because of your membership in a protected group

Disparate impact discrimination is almost always unintentional. That makes it particularly difficult to prove. Our lawyers in Lebanon have the tools to help you build your case. Call for a free case review to learn more.

Disparate Treatment Discrimination

Disparate treatment discrimination is intentional discrimination. It happens when an employer or supervisor singles you out for adverse treatment because of your membership in a protected group.

What Are the Most Common Types of Employment Discrimination?

Some common examples of employment discrimination include:

  • Adopting a dress code that conflicts with your religious practice or national origin
  • Refusing to hire a pregnant job applicant
  • Demoting a pregnant job applicant
  • Failure to pay equal wages to qualified members of different racial groups for the same work
  • Terminating an employee who reports workplace harassment or discrimination
  • Promoting an unqualified white employee instead of a more qualified Black employee
  • Terminating a disabled employee instead of providing reasonable accommodation
  • Treating an employee differently because of their sexual orientation or perceived sexual identity

Workplace discrimination isn’t always easy to identify. Your membership in a protected group doesn’t have to be the sole reason for a negative employment decision. You might have a valid case if your race, age, or sexual orientation was a significant reason for the unfair treatment.

How Do I Prove I’m Entitled to Compensation for Employment Discrimination in Pennsylvania?

Not every unfair workplace practice amounts to employment discrimination. While some policies and practices may be unfair, you only have an employment discrimination claim if you suffered adverse work conditions because of your membership in a protected class.

In cases involving disparate impact, you’ll typically have to prove:

  • Your membership in a protected class
  • Your employer knew about your protected class
  • You suffered damages or some type of harm
  • Other similarly situated employees who were not members of the protected class didn’t suffer the same harm

You may be able to prove disparate treatment discrimination by establishing:

  • An employment practice existed and treated members of a protected class differently
  • The employer had no legitimate business reason for the policy or practice
  • The employer had no other reasonable way to accomplish the same goal that the discriminatory practice was designed to serve

It’s important to document negative practices at work as they happen. Many employment discrimination cases are based on circumstantial evidence. Our lawyers can help you gather the evidence you’ll need to prove your case. That evidence may include written policies, witness statements, past discrimination reports, and more.

How Long Do I Have to File an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Anti-discrimination laws only give you a limited amount of time to take legal action. Most EEOC claims must be filed within 180 days from the date the discrimination took place. You’ll have up to 300 days if a state law also covers your claim.

Pennsylvania state nondiscrimination laws also give you 180 days to file a discrimination claim.

Contact a Lebanon Employment Discrimination Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Have you been treated unfairly in the workplace? If you have questions about your legal rights, contact an experienced Lebanon employment discrimination lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free case evaluation today.

We also have a team of social security disability attorneys that can help you at any time.