Race Discrimination

Federal, state, and local laws prohibit race discrimination in the workplace. Employers are forbidden from making decisions to hire, fire, promote, or to provide training or other benefits because of a person’s race. The law also protect against race-based harassment by an employee’s co-workers, supervisors, clients, or customers. The use of racial slurs or epithets or other offensive comments because of an employee’s race is illegal.

Testimonial Background
Every individual shall have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the economic, cultural and intellectual life of the District and to have an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of life, including, but not limited to, in employment.”
— District of Columbia Human Rights Act.

Race Discrimination Lawyers Serving the Greater Washington D.C. Area

Correia & Puth attorneys are driven to achieve the core purpose of state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination: to secure an end to discrimination in the workplace for any reason other than individual merit. We have represent employees subjected to race discrimination under both state and federal law. We have negotiated on behalf of workers who experienced race discrimination in violation of Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1866, a powerful law also known as “Section 1981,” and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and local laws such as the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, the Prince Georges County Human Rights Act, and the Montgomery County Human Rights Act.

The lawyers at Correia & Puth have the experience and commitment to fight employers who have wrongfully treated employees differently at work or fired them because of their race, or who retaliated against them because they spoke up against race discrimination. Recently, for example, we resolved a case filed in federal court against a Maryland hospital that fired a certified nursing assistant, and even created a false record regarding a patient’s care, after she and two other African American co-workers complained to their white supervisor’s white supervisor that they were treated differently than their co-workers. In another case, we resolved claims on behalf of a human resources manager who was fired after she reported her finding that an employee had been discriminated against and advocated for an outside investigation to ensure appropriate actions were taken against the discriminating supervisor.

The law provides broad protection from race discrimination and racial harassment. An employee who proves race discrimination may recover lost wages and compensation for the emotional harm caused by race discrimination. In some cases employees subjected to race discrimination may receive awards of punitive damages, or can be reinstated to their jobs or promoted to their rightful place if it was denied due to race discrimination. The law also provides that an employee who successfully wins a lawsuit or settlement may recover all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

Contact Correia & Puth for Assistance Filing a Race Discrimination Claim

If you have been a target of race discrimination, racial harassment or retaliation, the lawyers at Correia & Puth can help you hold your employer accountable. We can guide you through the process of making a complaint to your employer, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or to a state or local agency. We zealously represent our clients in negotiating a resolution with employers, and we file lawsuits to achieve our clients’ goals in court where appropriate. Contact us online for help against race discrimination.

Practice Areas

Accommodations for Disabilities

We are committed to ensuring that all employees with disabilities have equal access to the workplace.

 

Age Discrimination

We fight employers who use age bias to discourage older workers from staying on the job or keep them from advancement.

 

Corporate Accountability

Corporations must be held accountable for wrongdoing, and whistleblowers often keep employers honest.

 

COVID-19 Protections for Health Workers

If you are a health care worker facing retaliation because you raised concerns, there are laws in place to protect you.

 

Disability Discrimination

We are dedicated to safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities and vigorously advocate for equal access.

 

Equal Pay Rights

Motivated by our commitment to workplace fairness, we fight employers who have shortchanged an employee because of bias.

 

Family & Medical Leave Discrimination

The FMLA provides job protected leave so that employees are not forced to choose between their job and caring for loved ones.

 

Family Responsibilities Discrimination

Employees should not be penalized for taking care of their loved ones, and we are committed to fighting for your rights.

 

Federal Employees

We help federal sector employees understand workplace rights and navigate the unique federal agency employment context.

 

Federal Employee Whistleblower Protections

Employees and contractors of the federal government have strong protections from retaliation for speaking out.

 

Gender Identity Discrimination

We believe no employee should face harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of who they are or how they identify.

 

National Origin Discrimination

We believe all employees should be given a fair chance to succeed regardless of their culture and background.

 

Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy and motherhood are not incompatible with work. Our firm fights for expecting mothers and mothers with newborns.

 

Race Discrimination

Employers are forbidden from making decisions to hire, fire, promote, or to provide training or other benefits because of a person’s race.

 

Religious Discrimination

We value individuals' religious beliefs and personal choices and are committed to ensuring the ability to practice without fear.

 

Retaliation

We believe that employees should be able to assert their legal rights without risking their livelihoods.

 

Severance Agreements

Our practice of negotiating severance agreements is built upon years of experience working on behalf of employees at all levels.

 

Sex Discrimination

We work to eliminate gender discrimination, unfair pay, sexual harassment, and unlawful glass ceilings.

 

Sexual Harassment

We are dedicated advocates for the right to a workplace free from a sexually hostile work environment.

 

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

We believe that no employee should be fired, shortchanged, or treated differently because of who they are and whom they love.

 

Title IX Claims

We are a national leader on use of Title IX as an effective tool for an educational environment free from discrimination and retaliation.

 

Veterans (USERRA)

USERRA provides job protections to employees who temporarily leave private employment for military service.

 

Wage & Commission Claims

We fight employers who have wrongfully withheld salaries, commissions, and wages, and hold them accountable for what's unpaid.

 

Whistleblower Retaliation

Employees should be free from intimidation, harassment, or threats when taking a stand against wrong or unsafe workplaces.

 
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It takes courage to fight back against those who discriminate.
Contact us to see how we can help you.