If you are a victim of sexual harassment or sexual abuse in Fresno, The Wagner Law Group’s experienced attorneys can help you pursue compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, punitive damages, and legal fees. Sexual harassment includes unwanted advances, retaliation, offensive comments, and physical assault — all violations of your rights under California law. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
When someone violates your body, your dignity, or your workplace rights, the law gives you the power to fight back. The Wagner Law Group’s Fresno sexual harassment lawyers have spent years standing up for victims — in the workplace, in institutions, and in civil court. We handle these cases with the sensitivity they demand and the aggression they require.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or abused, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost wages and future lost earnings
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Medical and counseling expenses
- Punitive damages against the perpetrator or institution
- Attorney fees and legal costs
You don’t have to face this alone. Call (833) 200-7111 or contact us online for a confidential consultation today.
What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment Under California Law?
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides some of the strongest workplace protections in the country. Under FEHA, sexual harassment is defined broadly — including harassment based on sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It applies regardless of the gender of the harasser or the victim.
Sexual harassment in the workplace includes:
- Unwanted sexual advances or propositions
- Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors (quid pro quo harassment)
- Actual or threatened retaliation for rejecting advances
- Leering, sexual gestures, or displaying sexually suggestive images or objects
- Derogatory comments, slurs, jokes, or sexually degrading language
- Graphic comments about a person’s body or appearance
- Unwanted physical touching, assault, or blocking movements
- Hostile work environment created by pervasive sexual conduct
California law protects employees at all levels — from entry-level workers to executives. If any of the above has happened to you at work, you have legal rights and we can help you enforce them.
Sexual Abuse: Your Rights in Civil Court
The criminal justice system is designed to punish perpetrators — but it doesn’t compensate victims. A civil lawsuit runs separately from any criminal case and gives survivors the opportunity to recover financial compensation for the harm done to them.
Filing a civil lawsuit accomplishes two things: it puts money in your pocket to cover counseling, medical expenses, and lost income, and it creates accountability that the criminal system alone often fails to deliver. A civil judgment can also help prevent the perpetrator from harming someone else.
Our Fresno sexual abuse attorneys handle these cases with the care and confidentiality they require. We understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we take every step to protect our clients throughout the process.
Child Sexual Abuse: Holding Institutions Accountable
Child sexual abuse is most often committed by someone the child trusted. When that person is connected to an institution — a school, church, daycare, sports organization, or government agency — that institution may also be held liable for failing to protect the child.
Perpetrators often include:
- Teachers and school staff
- Coaches and athletic directors
- Daycare providers
- Therapists and doctors
- Priests and religious leaders
- Foster care providers
- Family members and family friends
- Neighbors
If your child was abused by someone in a position of trust, both the individual and the organization that enabled them may owe your family compensation. We investigate thoroughly and pursue every avenue for accountability.
Our Sexual Abuse Practice Areas
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Abuse by Teacher or Coach
- Foster Care Abuse
- Abuse by Government Employee
- Elder Sexual Abuse
Why Choose The Wagner Law Group for Your Sexual Harassment or Abuse Case?
These cases require more than legal knowledge — they require trust, discretion, and an unwillingness to back down. Here’s what we bring:
- Confidential representation: Your case and identity are protected throughout the process.
- No fees unless we win: You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid when you do.
- Proven results: We’ve recovered millions for sexual harassment and abuse victims across California, including a $72.4 million verdict in Ridgeway v. Walmart and a $5.25 million recovery for victims in Fresno.
- Compassionate attorneys: We handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual harassment or abuse, contact The Wagner Law Group today. Call (833) 200-7111 or reach us online for a confidential consultation. There is no obligation and no upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment or abuse claim in California?
It depends on the type of case. For workplace sexual harassment, you generally have three years from the last act of harassment to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. For childhood sexual abuse cases, California law gives survivors until age 40 — or five years from the date they discovered the psychological injury was caused by the abuse, whichever is later. These deadlines are complex and exceptions exist. Contact us as soon as possible so we can evaluate your specific situation.
Can I sue my employer for sexual harassment even if I didn't report it to HR?
Yes. While reporting to HR is recommended, it is not required to pursue a legal claim. In many cases HR complaints are ignored or mishandled. You have the right to file directly with the Civil Rights Department or pursue a civil lawsuit regardless of whether an internal complaint was made.
What is the difference between quid pro quo and hostile work environment harassment?
Quid pro quo harassment involves someone in authority conditioning employment benefits — a raise, promotion, or continued employment — on sexual favors. Hostile work environment harassment occurs when pervasive sexual conduct makes the workplace intimidating or abusive. Both are illegal under California law and both can form the basis of a lawsuit.
What compensation can I recover in a sexual harassment lawsuit?
You may be entitled to back pay and lost wages, future lost earnings, emotional distress damages, medical and counseling costs, punitive damages against the employer or perpetrator, and attorney fees. In egregious cases California courts have awarded significant punitive damages — we fight to make sure every category of your loss is accounted for.
