Although we have come a long way in the United States from the days when discrimination in the workplace was the accepted norm, workplace discrimination does still occur far more often than many people realize in the U.S. If you find yourself to be the victim of employment discrimination you may have the basis for a lawsuit against your employer. Your next question will likely be “ What am I entitled to if I am discriminated against in the workplace? ” Only an experienced Florida employment law attorney can evaluate the facts and circumstances of your case and provide you with specific advice; however, a basic understanding of the types of damages available to a victim of workplace discrimination may be beneficial in the meantime.

In the United States, both federal and state laws protect workers from discrimination in the workplace. Employment discrimination can occur during the hiring stage, may be present when promotions are considered and job assignments are made, or could be the cause of a worker’s termination from a job. If you are discriminated against in the workplace in the State of Florida, you could be entitled to compensation for the suffering you have endured.

Employment discrimination law is a complex area of the law because of the various state and federal laws that pertain to employment discrimination. The type and amount of damages you could be entitled to as a victim of employment discrimination will depend, to a large extent, on the law used to form the basis of your lawsuit. Many federal statutes, for example, cap the amount of damages available to a workplace discrimination victim whereas the Florida state counterparts may not limit a victim’s financial recovery.

Whether you rely on state or federal law, you could be entitled to compensatory damages that are intended to cover actual out of pocket expenses you incurred as a result of the discrimination such as lost wages or medical bills as well as non-economic damages, commonly referred to as “pain and suffering damages. If the employer’s conduct was particularly egregious you could also be awarded punitive damages which are intended to punish the defendant instead of compensate the victim.

Finally, you could also be awarded specific relief such as a promotion or placement in a job you applied for and would have been hired for but for the discriminatory acts of the employer.

If you have specific questions relating to damages in a workplace discrimination case, or you have general questions about employment law in Florida, contact an experienced Florida employment law attorney.