Greenberg Gross LLP - April 2026 - New Page - New York Workplace Sexual Assault Lawyer

New York Workplace Sexual Assault Lawyer

What happened to you at work should never have happened. You trusted that your workplace was safe, and someone violated that trust in the most harmful way possible. A New York workplace sexual assault lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP is here to listen, to believe you, and to take legal action on your behalf.

Our attorneys represent survivors of workplace sexual assault throughout New York in civil claims against the people who caused harm and the employers who allowed it to happen. Every conversation with our team is completely confidential, and we handle each case with the care and sensitivity that survivors need and deserve.

Call (212) 402-0900 to speak with a workplace sexual assault attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP in a safe, private consultation.

Why Do I Need a New York Workplace Sexual Assault Lawyer?

Filing a civil claim after a workplace sexual assault means going up against your employer's legal team while dealing with trauma at the same time. You should not have to carry that burden alone. A New York workplace sexual assault lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP handles every part of the legal process so you can focus on healing.

Our team identifies every party that may be legally responsible, calculates the full impact of your trauma, and builds a case strong enough to hold up in New York County Supreme Court, the Southern District of New York, or any other appropriate venue.

Why Survivors Choose Greenberg Gross LLP for Workplace Sexual Assault Cases in New York

For a high-stakes sexual assault claim, you need an attorney who combines trial-tested, results-driven litigation skill with genuine compassion. Here is what makes Greenberg Gross LLP the dedicated choice for survivors across New York.

A Firm Built for Sensitive, High-Stakes Litigation

Greenberg Gross LLP's founders left a global law firm to build a plaintiffs' practice that handles the most significant cases with the preparation and resources they need. Our firm also operates FightForSurvivors.com, a dedicated platform for survivors of sexual assault seeking legal support.

Proven Results for Survivors

Our attorneys have secured a $6.4 million settlement against a school district for sexual abuse, a $3.75 million settlement against LAUSD for child sexual abuse, and a $3.5 million settlement for equestrian athletes who survived sexual abuse. We bring that same level of commitment to every workplace sexual assault case.

A Midtown Manhattan Office Serving All of New York

From 570 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, our attorneys represent survivors in New York County Supreme Court, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and before the DHR and EEOC. We also maintain an office in Buffalo near the Erie County courts.

Awards and Recognition

Super Lawyers selections across multiple practice areas
AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers and Top Labor and Employment Litigation Firm
Featured on NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, AMC Networks, and Oxygen Network

These honors reflect a firm-wide commitment to advocacy and litigation excellence across every practice area we serve.

Ask Greenberg Gross LLP About Your New York Workplace Sexual Assault Case

Q: Can I sue my employer for a workplace sexual assault in New York?

A: Yes. New York law allows survivors to bring civil claims against both the person who committed the assault and the employer that failed to prevent it. The NYCHRL holds employers in the five boroughs strictly liable for supervisory harassment. A workplace sexual assault attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP can evaluate which claims apply to your situation.

Q: What if I am afraid of retaliation for coming forward?

A: Retaliation against an employee who reports sexual assault or files a legal claim is illegal. The NYSHRL, NYCHRL, and Title VII all prohibit employers from punishing you for exercising your rights. If retaliation occurs, it can give rise to additional legal claims with their own damages.

Q: Do workplace sexual assault lawyers at Greenberg Gross LLP charge upfront fees?

A: Many workplace sexual assault cases are handled on a contingency basis. That means you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a recovery. Our attorneys explain the fee structure during your confidential consultation so there are no surprises.

New York law holds employers accountable when they fail to protect employees from sexual assault. That responsibility can take different forms depending on the circumstances.

The New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) makes employers in the five boroughs strictly liable for sexual harassment by a supervisor, meaning the company is responsible even if management did not know about the conduct
The New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) holds employers responsible when they encourage, condone, or fail to act on known misconduct
Federal law, through Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, also creates employer liability, particularly when the assault involves a supervisor or when the company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it

A workplace sexual assault attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP investigates the full chain of accountability and pursues claims against every responsible party.

How Does New York Law Protect Survivors of Workplace Sexual Assault?

New York provides some of the strongest legal protections in the country for survivors of sexual assault in the workplace. Multiple overlapping laws create options that your attorney can pursue at the same time.

The NYSHRL Covers Every Employer in the State

The NYSHRL applies to all employers, regardless of the number of employees. It prohibits sexual harassment as a form of sex-based discrimination and uses a lower standard than federal law. Your attorney does not have to prove the conduct was "severe or pervasive."

This low standard means you only need to show the assault negatively affected your working conditions. Furthermore, the employer's only legal defense-that the conduct was a 'petty slight or trivial inconvenience'-is inapplicable in sexual assault cases.

The NYCHRL Offers Even Broader Protection

For employees who work in the five boroughs, the NYCHRL applies a more protective standard. Courts must interpret it more liberally than state or federal law. It requires only that you were treated "less well" because of your gender or sex, and it imposes strict liability on employers for a supervisor's harassing conduct.

Survivors in New York City may also have a separate claim through the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows civil lawsuits for violence committed because of the victim's gender. That law provides a seven-year filing window, which is longer than most other employment-based claims.

Civil Claims Carry a 20-Year Filing Window for Certain Offenses

In 2019, New York extended the civil statute of limitations for claims involving certain sexual offenses to 20 years. This change, codified in CPLR Section 213-c, applies to conduct that would constitute rape, criminal sexual acts, or certain forms of sexual abuse. For other types of claims, different deadlines may apply, and a NYC workplace sexual assault attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP can determine which timelines affect your situation.

What Compensation Can a New York Workplace Sexual Assault Attorney Pursue?

New York does not cap compensatory or punitive damages in workplace sexual assault cases brought through the NYSHRL or NYCHRL. That makes the state one of the most favorable places in the country for survivors seeking accountability through the civil justice system.

The specific recovery depends on your circumstances, and your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP documents every category of harm to build the strongest possible case. Recovery in a civil claim may include:

Back pay and lost benefits if the assault led to job loss or constructive discharge
Compensation for therapy, counseling, and ongoing mental health treatment
Damages for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress
Punitive damages when the employer acted with willful disregard for your safety
Attorney's fees and litigation costs

These categories can overlap and compound, particularly for survivors whose careers and mental health have been deeply affected. Our attorneys pursue every available form of recovery.

How Does a Workplace Sexual Assault Claim Work in New York?

You do not need a criminal conviction or even a police report to pursue a civil claim for workplace sexual assault. Civil cases operate on a lower standard of proof than criminal cases, which means your attorney needs to show it is more likely than not that the assault occurred.

Your Attorney Builds the Case

Our legal team at Greenberg Gross LLP gathers employment records, internal communications, HR complaints, medical documentation, and witness accounts to establish what happened. We also investigate whether your employer failed to follow its own anti-harassment policies, ignored prior complaints, or created conditions that allowed the assault to occur.

New York requires every employer to conduct annual sexual harassment prevention training. If your employer skipped that training or failed to maintain a clear reporting process, those failures can strengthen your claim and expand your employer's liability.

Multiple Legal Avenues Exist

Your attorney may pursue claims through more than one channel at the same time. That can include a civil lawsuit filed in state or federal court, an administrative complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights, or a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Each path has different requirements, and our attorneys determine which combination gives your case the strongest position.

We Help Protect Your Privacy

New York law allows sexual assault survivors to file civil lawsuits confidentially under a pseudonym, such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe," to protect their identity. Our attorneys take every measure to shield your personal information throughout the legal process.

FAQs Answered by Our New York Workplace Sexual Assault Lawyers

Can I file a workplace sexual assault claim if I no longer work for the employer?

Yes. You do not need to be currently employed by the company to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors file after leaving the job, and the applicable filing deadlines run from the date of the assault, not the date of separation.

What if the assault happened years ago?

New York's 20-year civil statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses gives many survivors the time they need to come forward. Even if the assault occurred years ago, legal options may still be available depending on the specific conduct involved.

Can I file a claim without going to the police first?

Yes. A civil lawsuit is separate from the criminal justice system. You do not need a police report, an arrest, or a conviction to pursue a civil claim for workplace sexual assault in New York.

Will my name become public if I file a lawsuit?

New York courts allow sexual assault survivors to file under a pseudonym to protect their identity. Your attorney at Greenberg Gross LLP can request this protection when filing your claim.

Does Greenberg Gross LLP handle cases outside of New York City?

Yes. Our team represents survivors across the state, including in Buffalo, Westchester, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. We handle cases in state courts, federal courts, and before administrative agencies throughout New York.

Speak With a New York Workplace Sexual Assault Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP Today

Taking this step takes courage, and you do not have to take it alone. The attorneys at Greenberg Gross LLP have dedicated their careers to representing survivors with compassion, confidentiality, and the trial-tested preparation that high-stakes cases require. From our Midtown Manhattan office near Grand Central Terminal, we serve survivors across the state and treat every case with the dignity it deserves.

Call (855) 255-5515 or reach our New York office directly at (212) 402-0900 for a confidential, private consultation with a workplace sexual assault attorney who will put your well-being first.