Discrimination

Federal and Colorado Discrimination Law

Murray Law welcomes the opportunity to provide experienced counsel and representation to individuals subjected to employment discrimination.

Federal and Colorado law protects employees and applicants from unlawful employment discrimination.

Murray Law represents clients asserting discrimination claims in federal and state court lawsuits, filing discrimination charges with federal, state, and local government agencies, and in mediation and arbitration proceedings.

Steven Murray has successfully represented individuals subjected to discrimination in lawsuits before multiple United States District Courts, including representing prevailing clients in jury trials in discrimination cases before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and mediation proceedings.

Federal & Colorado Discrimination Law

Federal and Colorado laws prohibit discrimination on these bases:

• Race or Color
• Age
• National Origin
• Sex
• Pregnancy – Childbirth – Related Medical Conditions.
• Equal Pay
• Sexual Orientation
• Disability
• Religion – Religious Practice – Religious Observances.
• Failure to Reasonably Accommodate an individual’s disability or religious practices.

Colorado Discrimination Law

Colorado law provides discrimination protections in addition to federal protections.

The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination because: (1) an individual is a victim of domestic abuse; (2) an individual has participated in lawful off-duty activities; and (3) a person’s marital status.

Harassment – Hostile Work Environment

Workplace harassment, including a hostile work environment, is unlawful employment discrimination when the objectionable conduct is based on a protected trait or membership in a protected class, such as harassment based on race or sex, or disability.

Discriminatory Actions

Prohibited employment discrimination includes an employer’s adverse action against a person because of the individual’s protected characteristic, status, or membership in a legally protected class.

Remedies

The potential remedies for a discrimination claim lawsuit depend on many factors, including the specific law, the employer’s size, and the facts.

In general, the following are potential remedies for an employment discrimination claim asserted against a private-sector employer: (1) loss of wages and benefits; (2) compensatory damages for emotional distress and related injuries; (3) punitive damages; (4) liquidated damages; (5) reinstatement or front pay if the discrimination resulted in losing employment; (6) attorney fees; and (6) costs.

Administrative Proceedings

Federal and state administrative proceedings can be complicated to navigate. Murray Law counsels and guides clients through this process.

Under most federal and Colorado employment discrimination laws, a person seeking relief for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, must file an administrative charge before filing a civil action, a lawsuit.

A charge must be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] within 300 days of the discriminatory action. The aggrieved individual may also file a charge with the Colorado Civil Rights Division within 180 days of the last discriminatory action. Filing a charge with either agency is jointly filed with both agencies.

The EEOC/CCRD will investigate the charge. Following the investigation’s completion, the agency will provide the charging party with a notice of the “right to sue”. The notification provides the employee with the right to file a lawsuit within a mandatory period. The lawsuit must be filed within the period stated in the notice of the “right to sue.”

Conclusion

Murray Law welcomes the opportunity to provide counsel and representation to persons confronting employment discrimination. Please call Steven Murray at 720-600-6642.