St. Joseph Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Sexual harassment at work can turn a job you once depended on into a place you dread. Whether it’s unwanted comments, inappropriate touching, pressure from a supervisor, or a hostile environment that never seems to stop, harassment can leave you feeling embarrassed, anxious, and unsure of what to do next. For many workers, the fear doesn’t end there—speaking up often leads to retaliation, including demotion, reduced hours, or even termination.

You do not have to tolerate this behavior, and you do not have to face it alone. If you’ve experienced sexual harassment or retaliation at work, our experienced St. Joseph sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand your rights and take action. At Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC, we have a strong track record of helping employees hold their harassers and employers accountable for unlawful behavior and recover compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your options—without any pressure or judgment.

Your Harassment Lawyers in St. Joseph, Missouri

Sexual harassment shouldn't just be written off as inappropriate behavior. It is illegal. Some harassment is overt, such as unwanted sexual advances, explicit comments, or physical contact. Other times, it is more subtle but just as damaging, including repeated jokes, comments about appearance, sexual rumors, or degrading behavior that creates a hostile work environment.

Harassment may come from a supervisor, manager, coworker, or even a customer or client. It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, position, or industry. And importantly, harassment does not have to involve physical contact to be unlawful. If the conduct is unwelcome and interferes with your ability to do your job, it may qualify as sexual harassment under the law.

How We Can Make a Difference

When you come to Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC, we take your concerns seriously from day one. We begin by listening carefully to what you experienced and how it has affected your work and your life. From there, we conduct a thorough investigation, reviewing company policies, personnel records, internal complaints, emails, text messages, performance reviews, and witness statements.

We handle the entire legal process on your behalf. This may include filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, communicating with your employer or their attorneys, and pursuing settlement negotiations. If your employer refuses to take responsibility, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

Throughout your case, our goal is to protect you, minimize further harm, and pursue the best outcome possible.

Retaliation for Speaking Up Is Also Illegal

Many employees stay silent because they fear retaliation—and unfortunately, that fear is often justified. Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for reporting harassment, participating in an investigation, or asserting their legal rights.

Retaliation can include being fired, demoted, written up unfairly, reassigned to worse shifts, denied promotions, or suddenly treated differently at work. Even subtle changes, when tied to your complaint, may be illegal.

The law protects employees who speak up. If you were punished for reporting harassment, supporting another employee’s claim, or cooperating with an investigation, you may have a separate retaliation claim in addition to your harassment case.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Every case is different, but victims of sexual harassment and retaliation may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, and damage to their professional reputation. In some cases, the law also allows for punitive damages meant to hold employers accountable for especially harmful conduct.

If retaliation caused you to lose your job, compensation may include back pay or front pay. Some cases also allow for reinstatement, though many clients prefer financial compensation that allows them to move forward without returning to a toxic workplace.

During your free consultation, we’ll explain what types of compensation may be available based on your specific situation.

You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out

Many clients worry that they waited too long, didn’t report the harassment “the right way,” or lack enough evidence. These concerns are common—and often unnecessary. There are many valid reasons employees hesitate to report harassment, including fear of retaliation, past inaction by HR, or harassment by a supervisor or owner.

If something at work didn’t feel right, trust that instinct. You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. Our job is to help you make sense of what happened and determine whether your rights were violated.

Support You Can Rely On

Sexual harassment and retaliation cases are deeply personal. Our employment law attorneys understand the emotional toll these situations take and treat every client with respect, discretion, and compassion. You can expect clear communication, honest guidance, and regular updates throughout your case.

When we’re not advocating for employees whose rights have been violated, we’re representing victims in serious personal injury cases—people facing sudden, life-altering circumstances through no fault of their own. That experience reinforces what we already know: when everything feels uncertain, strong and dependable legal support matters.

Our goal is to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

Speak With a St. Joseph Employment Lawyer Today

Employment law cases have strict deadlines, and waiting too long can limit your options. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and preserving important evidence.

We charge nothing unless we win. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. You only pay if we recover compensation for you.

Call Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC today to speak with a trusted St. Joseph sexual harassment and retaliation lawyer. Your consultation is free, confidential, and focused on helping you take back control.