Q: How to start a case after being sexually harassed at a doctor's office in Texas?
I was physically sexually harassed during an ultrasound appointment at a doctor's office. I reported the incident via email to the office, and the primary care physician himself called me back. He mentioned that the ultrasound technician has been there for 15 years but did not give me his name. The doctor also refused to continue as my primary care physician and denied my request to transfer to a different location. How should I proceed to start a case?
A:
I’m assuming you do not work for this physician.
The term “sexual harassment” in the legal context refers to a particular type of claim arising in the workplace. There really isn’t an independent legal claim for sexual harassment arising outside the employment relationship.
But you use of the word “physical” suggests some sort of battery (sometimes referred to as assault by laypeople). You can recover for such a claim.
I recommend you gather together all of the relevant information you can as to what compensable damages you sustained as a result of the conduct (eg medical expenses, lost wages, counseling expenses, etc directly related to this incident). If these total $20,000 or less, you can sue without an attorney in Justice of the peace court. If they exceed $20,000, take the information to a personal injury lawyer.
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