New York City Unwanted Physical Contact Lawyers
Your body only belongs to you. No one, anywhere, has the right to touch your body for any reason without your consent. It should be a simple, uncontroversial statement, but unfortunately for many people that isn’t the case. And that’s why we do this work.
At Eisenberg & Baum, LLP, we are unwanted physical contact lawyers for people in New York City. We’re experienced in all areas of sexual harassment law, and we’re compassionate to the struggles facing our clients. But what people turn to us for is the no-holds-barred, aggressive tactics we take when pursuing compensation for our clients. We hold the people harassing you accountable, in court. Full stop.
When Is Physical Touching A Form Of Sexual Harassment?
There are a hundred ways that people touch each other without it being a form of unwanted physical contact and sexual harassment. Brushing past people on the elevator, tapping someone on the shoulder for attention. High fives. Handshakes. Fist bumps. None of these innocent interactions are what anyone would consider sexual harassment.
However, physical contact that goes on too long or is too intimate without your consent is harassment. Consent is a major component of what is and is not harassment. If a person makes any sort of physical contact with you without your consent, that’s a form of harassment.
What Are Some Examples Of Unwanted Touching In The Workplace?
As we mentioned in the previous section, there are many normal, innocent ways that people interact, including touch, but they aren’t harassment. However, that consent is such a major component of this, even innocent contact can become violating. Here are the most common types:
- Touching legs, hips, knees or shoulders
- Inappropriate hugs
- Touching hair
- Placing hands on the shoulder
- Patting, stroking or pinching
- Standing too close
Where the touch happens, how long it happens, the context, and most of all, whether or not you consent to it all matter.
What Steps Can You Take If You Are The Victim Of Unwanted Touching In The Workplace?
If someone violates your personal space or touches you, the first thing you’ll likely do is go to HR or tell them directly. Often these measures don’t really produce the effect you hope for, especially if the person harassing you is your superior in the company. The official, designated routes that companies have for resolving these issues aren’t enough. But New York Law is with you and so are we.
We will take on your case and file a lawsuit against your employer and the individual who harassed you. We will go to court with evidence and a well-crafted case to get you compensation for the discomfort and pain you’ve experienced.
Few things are as sacred or important as your safety and mental health.
What Constitutes Unwanted Physical Contact Under New York City Law?
Unwanted physical contact under New York City law includes any nonconsensual touching or physical interaction that is sexual in nature or makes the recipient uncomfortable. We’ve gone over many specific scenarios on this page, but there is no hard rule. If a touch makes you uncomfortable, then you may have a case.
What Immediate Steps Should Someone Take After Experiencing Unwanted Physical Contact?
You should write down the entire experience as soon as possible after it happens. Make sure it is as close to the events as possible. You must also file a complaint with your supervisor and HR department and follow all of the established procedures for reporting harassment. After going the internal route, you may file a complaint with the New York Human Rights Division (NYHRD).
What Legal Options Are Available To Victims Of Unwanted Touching?
If you exhaust the workplace procedures and the formal complaint procedures with the EEOCO or the NYHRD, and you’re likely to do that, you have the option of moving on to legal action. Make no mistake, going to court is going to be an uphill fight for you. However, if you have preserved messages and other evidence of the harassment – and work with us – you may have an extremely strong case.
You Deserve Better Than This. Schedule A Free Consultation Today.
We believe that everyone deserves an advocate. When things are unjust, when you’ve been disrespected and violated at work, you cannot simply move on with your life. Your job is your livelihood, and what happens there matters. We will fight for you.
As sexual harassment attorneys, we know how intimidating many of the challenges ahead of you are. But we also know that you have rights that deserve proactive, unrelenting protection. Your workplace should not be a source of trauma for you. Let us fight for you against any inappropriate touching at work. Call us at or send an email using this form. We provide free consultation 24/7.