Central Coast Sexual Harassment Attorney
Top Sexual Harassment Lawyer on the Central Coast:
Your Advocate Against Harassment – Because Silence Isn’t Your Only Option
Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work, whether you’re working at a vineyard in Paso Robles, a tech company in Santa Cruz, a restaurant in Monterey, or a hotel in Santa Barbara. Sadly, for many workers across the Central Coast, the workplace becomes a place of anxiety and stress due to sexual harassment. This type of misconduct is not just inappropriate—it’s illegal.
I’m John McCarthy. I fight for individuals who experience sexual harassment at work. No one should have to tolerate harassment or fear retaliation for speaking out. If you’ve faced sexual harassment in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, or Santa Barbara County or beyond, I’m here to help you take a stand and pursue justice.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that creates an offensive, intimidating, or hostile work environment. California’s laws offer strong protections to workers, but unfortunately, harassment still happens across all industries—from retail and healthcare to education, hospitality, and agriculture.
There are two main types of sexual harassment:
Quid Pro Quo Harassment: When a supervisor or person in power demands sexual favors in exchange for benefits, such as promotions or favorable assignments, or threatens negative consequences if the demands are refused.
Hostile Work Environment: When inappropriate jokes, comments, gestures, or behavior create a toxic atmosphere, making it hard for employees to perform their job comfortably.
Whether the harassment comes from a coworker, manager, vendor, or customer, it’s illegal, and you have the right to seek help.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can take many forms, and not all are obvious. Here are some examples of common behaviors that may qualify as sexual harassment:
Inappropriate Touching: Unwanted physical contact, such as hugs, shoulder rubs, or pats.
Sexually Suggestive Comments or Jokes: Inappropriate remarks about someone’s body, appearance, or clothing.
Lewd Messages or Photos: Sending explicit texts, emails, or images.
Staring or Leering: Making someone feel uncomfortable through inappropriate looks or gestures.
Persistent Advances: Asking for dates or romantic attention even after being turned down.
Retaliation: Punishing someone for rejecting advances or reporting harassment.
Sexual harassment can happen in any workplace—whether you’re working in a restaurant along Monterey’s Cannery Row, at a retail store in downtown Santa Cruz, or in healthcare facilities in San Luis Obispo. If this behavior sounds familiar, you have options.
The Impact of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can take a heavy toll on your mental health, emotional well-being, and career. Many victims struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of humiliation. Some feel forced to quit or avoid opportunities to escape a hostile work environment, leading to financial difficulties and stalled career growth.
I understand how devastating these experiences can be. You don’t have to face this alone. Whether you’ve been harassed in Santa Barbara, Monterey, or Santa Cruz, I’m here to help you reclaim your sense of safety, dignity, and justice.
What Should You Do If You’ve Experienced Sexual Harassment?
If you’ve faced sexual harassment at work, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and build a strong case:
Document the Harassment: Write down what happened, including dates, times, and details of each incident. Note any witnesses who were present.
Save Evidence: Keep copies of emails, texts, or photos related to the harassment.
Report the Harassment: If you feel comfortable, report the behavior to your supervisor, HR, or your company’s harassment hotline.
Reach Out to an Attorney: A lawyer can help you understand your rights, protect you from retaliation, and guide you through the legal process.
Taking action can be intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’ve experienced harassment anywhere on the Central Coast—from Salinas to Santa Maria—I’m ready to help.
How I Can Help You
I focus on standing up for people who have been wronged. If you’ve been sexually harassed at work, I’ll help you hold your employer accountable and pursue the justice you deserve.
Here’s what to expect when you work with me:
Free Case Evaluation: We’ll start with a confidential case evaluation. If I think I can help, we’ll schedule a free conversation to understand what happened and explore your options.
Compassionate Support: I know how hard it can be to talk about these experiences, and I’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
Aggressive Advocacy: If you decide to move forward, I’ll fight hard to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Direct Communication: You won’t be passed off to a paralegal or junior attorney. You’ll work directly with me and can call, text, or email anytime.
My goal is to make this process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on moving forward.
Compensation for Sexual Harassment
If you’ve experienced sexual harassment, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Here are some of the damages you might recover:
Lost Wages: Compensation for lost pay or missed promotions.
Emotional Distress: Compensation for the anxiety, depression, and trauma you’ve experienced.
Punitive Damages: Additional damages if your employer acted recklessly or maliciously.
Legal Fees: You may be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and legal costs.
Every case is unique, and I’ll work with you to determine the best strategy for pursuing the outcome you deserve.
Sexual Harassment Laws in California
California provides some of the strongest legal protections against sexual harassment. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it is illegal for employers to tolerate sexual harassment or retaliate against employees who report it.
In addition, California’s anti-retaliation laws protect workers from being punished for speaking up. If you’ve been fired, demoted, or disciplined after reporting harassment, that’s illegal retaliation, and you can take legal action.
Whether you work for a large corporation in Santa Cruz, a small business in Monterey, or a public institution in San Luis Obispo, these protections apply to you.
Why Choose Me as Your Central Coast Sexual Harassment Attorney?
I know how intimidating it can be to stand up to harassment, especially if you’re worried about retaliation or losing your job. That’s why I’ve built my practice around helping workers and standing up for people who feel powerless.
Here’s what makes my approach different:
Compassionate Counsel: I care deeply about my clients and their well-being.
Aggressive Representation: I’m not afraid to take on tough cases and fight for what’s right.
Direct Communication: You’ll have my personal phone number and can reach me anytime.
Local Expertise with a National Reputation: I live and work on the Central Coast, but I’ve earned a national reputation for taking on big employers and winning cases throughout the United States.
Whether you’re in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or San Benito County, or beyond, I’m ready to fight for you.
What Happens When You File a Sexual Harassment Claim?
Filing a sexual harassment claim may seem overwhelming, but I’ll guide you through every step of the process. Here’s what you can expect:
Free Consultation: If I think I can help, we’ll start with a confidential conversation to determine if you have a case and go over what the law is and what your rights are.
Filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD): We’ll submit a complaint to the CRD (formerly known as DFEH).
Investigation and Evidence Gathering: I’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case.
Negotiation and Settlement: Many cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, but I’ll fight to get you the best outcome possible.
Going to Trial (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn’t reached, I’m prepared to take your case to court.
Throughout the process, I’ll be by your side, ensuring you feel empowered and informed.
Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
Your first step toward justice starts with a free, confidential case evaluation. If I don’t think I can help, I’ll get you pointed in the right direction. If I think I can help, I’ll schedule a free consultation, and I’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights.
When you fill out your free case evaluation, your case will go directly to me—no middlemen or delays. I typically respond the same day because I know how important it is to get answers quickly. If I can help, we’ll move forward with a plan. If not, I’ll make sure you know what steps to take next.
Take Action Today – You Deserve Justice
No one should have to endure sexual harassment at work. If you’ve experienced inappropriate behavior, you have the right to speak up and seek justice. With the right legal help, you can hold your harasser accountable and protect others from experiencing the same treatment.
Whether the harassment happened at a restaurant in Santa Cruz, a hospital in San Luis Obispo, or a hotel in Monterey, I’ll fight to ensure you’re treated with the respect you deserve.
Don’t wait. Get your free, confidential case evaluation today. Together, we’ll take the first step toward justice and healing. Sexual harassment is never acceptable, and you deserve a safe and fair workplace. With my help, you can hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent this from happening to anyone else.
Your Voice Matters
You might feel scared, angry, or overwhelmed right now, but your voice matters, and taking action can make a difference. Whether you’ve experienced harassment at a winery in Paso Robles, a university in Santa Cruz, a retail store in Santa Maria, or anywhere else on the Central Coast, you have the right to stand up for yourself.
The sooner we connect, the sooner we can explore your options and begin building a case. Every story matters, and I’m here to make sure yours is heard.
Don’t Face Sexual Harassment Alone
I know how isolating harassment can feel, and I also know that many people hesitate to come forward because they fear retaliation or not being believed. You don’t have to go through this alone—I’m here to fight for you every step of the way.
Whether you work in agriculture, hospitality, education, healthcare, or any other industry, I’ll help you navigate the legal process and pursue the justice you deserve. The Central Coast is a special place, and no one should feel unsafe or unwelcome in their workplace.
Let’s Take the First Step Together
The law is on your side, and you don’t have to tolerate harassment any longer. With my help, we’ll hold the harasser and your employer accountable and seek the compensation and justice you deserve. This is about more than just a legal case—it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety and dignity.
If you’ve experienced sexual harassment, don’t wait. You have the power to make a difference. Let’s take the first step toward justice and healing—together. Get your free case evaluation today.