Santa Ana, CA asked in Criminal Law and Employment Law for California

Q: What can I do if my boss physically assaulted me at work multiple times?

he's slapped my face twice and hit me in the back of the head.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
Answered
  • Westminster, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: It is a crime to physically assault another person. It is also a civil tort, giving rise to a right to sue for the damages associated with the assaults. From an employment law perspective, your employer has an affirmative legal duty to provide you with a workplace free of violence.

Report the assaults to HR or the person at the company responsible for the HR functions. If the assaults are serious enough to you, report them to the police. Then locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site in the Find a Lawyer section, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization whose members are dedicated to the representation of employees against their employers.

Most employment attorneys who practice this area of law work offer a free or low cost consultation in the beginning and then, if the matter has merit and value, will usually agree to work on a contingency basis, meaning you can hire an attorney without paying any money until the matter results in a positive outcome for you. Many advance all the costs of the litigation as well. Do not let fear of fees and costs keep you from finding a good attorney.

Good luck to you.

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