Dallas Employment Discrimination Lawyer
Have you been treated unfairly at work? You may have grounds for an employment discrimination lawsuit.
Employment discrimination lawyer Dan A. Atkerson has protected workers in Dallas, TX, since 1984.
If you would like to discuss your case with Mr. Atkerson, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Dan A. Atkerson Describes Employment Discrimination
Workplace discrimination comes in many forms. When you are treated unfairly because of your race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or any other protected class, your employer can face legal consequences. Working with an employment discrimination lawyer like Dan A. Atkerson gives you the greatest chances of success in cases like these.
Time Is Limited You Have 180 Days to File a Discrimination Suit
Texas state laws grant workers about six months to file a discrimination suit after an incident or series of incidents of discrimination occur. It takes time to assemble a compelling case that can clearly substantiate wrongdoing on the part of an employer. If you believe you have been the victim of harassment or other types of discrimination in the workplace, you have everything to gain by contacting an employment discrimination lawyer now. Mr. Atkerson is a discrimination lawyer at our labor attorney office in Allen, TX. He can protect your rights granted under legislation such as the Civil Rights Act.
Find Out If You
Have a Case
Schedule a Legal Consultation
Workers who experience employment discrimination in Dallas, TX, often feel isolated, frustrated, and helpless. It can be difficult to know where to turn in circumstances like these. Fortunately, employment lawyer Dan A. Atkerson is available to listen to the details of your situation and honestly advise whether you have a winnable workplace discrimination case on your hands.
Legal consultations with Mr. Atkerson are totally confidential. To request your consultation, contact us online or give us a call.
Call Us: (214) 383-3606
"Thank you, Mr. Atkerson." 5-Star Reviews From Texas Clients
steve adams
Allen, TX
2024
Mr. Atkerson took my case when others said I didn’t have one. He represented me well with my wrongful termination case and got me a fair settlement. He answered any questions I had and gave me weekly updates concerning my case. I highly recommend Mr. Atkerson. Thank you again for representing me!
View on GoogleSid H
Allen, TX
2024
I reached out Mr. Dan Atkerson for an employment related issue. Even during the Hollidays, Mr. Atkerson called back and spoke to me for 15 minutes on what the right course should be to start the process with pros and cons of the next steps. It made me comfortable in moving forward with my decision. I would definitely consider hiring Mr. Atkerson if things go south. Thank you, Mr. Atkerson.
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The amounts below went directly to the client after payment of legal fees.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination Case
National Origin Discrimination Case
Age Discrimination Case
What Is Employment Discrimination?
Under legislation such as the Civil Rights Act, it is illegal to make employment decisions based on a person's:
Behaviors or actions that could be considered discriminatory include:
- Sexual harassment
- Wrongful termination
- Refusal to promote or hire
- Failure to provide equal resources
- Different treatment compared to other employees
- Unequal pay
- Derogatory comments or remarks
- Workplace retaliation
When you experience workplace discrimination in Dallas, you have the right to initiate legal action against your employer. Hiring an employment discrimination lawyer like Dan A. Atkerson, who is exceedingly knowledgeable in Texas employment law, can empower you to build the strongest possible case. Through a workplace discrimination lawsuit filed with the EEOC, you can potentially receive financial compensation and bring your employer to justice.
Relevant Employment Law
Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark in employment law that, as amended, makes it unlawful for employers to make employment decisions based on a worker's "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." Any person or company with fifteen or more employees is required to abide by Title VII. Title VII also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) of 1978 was passed to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in order to establish pregnancy as an additional protected class. The PDA specified that making an employment decision based on a woman's pregnancy, potential pregnancy, or pregnancy-related medical conditions is considered sex discrimination.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a federal law that broadly protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. The portions of the act that are relevant to employment law are Titles I and V, which make it illegal for employers to make employment decisions based on a person's disability.
The Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 made it unlawful for an employer to pay men and women differently for the same work. It was one of the first federal laws to address sex discrimination in the workplace.
TCHRA
The Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA), contained in Texas Labor Code Chapter 21, is basically a state-level version of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Like Title VII, the TCHRA makes it illegal for employers in Texas to discriminate based on a person's "race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, or age." Unlike Title VII, it covers all employers, even those with just one employee.
Workers In Need Recommend Mr. Atkerson Hear From Clients in the Dallas–Forth Worth Area
Anita Paas
Allen, TX
2024
From the moment we began our collaboration, Dan proved to be an invaluable asset to my case. His speed, communication, and direct approach were truly remarkable. Dan wasted no time in understanding the intricacies of my situation and ensuring that I felt heard and understood. His ability to grasp the nuances of my case allowed me to feel confident that my concerns were being addressed with the utmost importance. Throughout the entire process, he consistently kept me informed and updated, leaving no room for uncertainty or confusion. I wholeheartedly recommend Dan to anyone seeking an employment lawyer.
View on GoogleCourtney Manning
Allen, TX
2024
Dan provided an exceptional experience. His transparency, efficiency, proactiveness, honesty, and extensive knowledge were truly commendable. The professionalism and confidence he exhibited in his work spoke volumes. Dan was dedicated to completing the job, and he delivered. Dan – working with you was a pleasure. If I could, I'd give 10 stars. THANK YOU!
View on GoogleWronged Workers Deserve Restitution Dan Atkerson Helps Dallas Workers Stand Up for Their Rights
Demotions, pay cuts, and wrongful termination aren't just degrading - they also take a toll on the livelihood you work so hard to maintain. Dan Atkerson is a discrimination lawyer committed to making sure that illegal actions on the part of employers don't wind up hurting those who put so much time and effort into supporting themselves and their families. To book a case review with Mr. Atkerson, you can request a consultation online or call our office directly at (214) 383-3606.
What to Do When You Face Employment Discrimination
Don't delay reaching out: Texas state laws only grant workers about six months to file a discrimination suit after an incident or series of incidents of discrimination occur.
Meet Your Employment Discrimination Attorney
Dan A. Atkerson practices employment law in the Dallas area because he loves using his legal training to help people who have been mistreated by their employers. His clients leave him five-star reviews because of his commitment and his attention to detail.
Contact an Employment Lawyer
Texas employment attorney Dan A. Atkerson protects the rights of workers who have experienced wrongful termination, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and other civil rights violations. If you have been mistreated by your employer, Mr. Atkerson can help you build a case and pursue justice.
Take the first step by scheduling a consultation at our Dallas-area office today. You can request a consultation by contacting us online or by calling us.
Call Us: (214) 383-3606
Recommended by Workers In Need In Dallas, Plano, Garland, and Beyond
Rana Dunn
Allen, TX
2023
Dan Atkerson, Esq. was so respectful and his guidance was well thought out and successful with representing me. He is well known in Texas and has a great reputation based on his experience, which was important to me when choosing him for my specific legal situation. Great communication skills, and legal knowledge.
View on GoogleMelinda Lewis
Allen, TX
2023
Mr. Atkerson made everything seamless. I would definitely recommend him for anyone having issues with how they're being treated within their company.
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When You Witness Discrimination You Have a Right to Report It Without Fear of Retaliation
Just because you are not personally suffering discrimination doesn't mean you don't have a right to report discrimination suffered by a co-worker. In fact, by documenting this violation, you are ultimately doing that person - and everyone you work with - a tremendous service.
It is absolutely natural to hesitate to be a whistleblower due a fear of retaliation, but it's important to understand that any such retaliation is also a form of discrimination. Federal laws such as the Whistleblower Retaliation Act provide protections to those who speak up after witnessing employment law violations.
Some of the most common forms of whistleblower retaliation include:
- Cutting hours or pay
- Transferring you to another department
- Denying requests for vacation time
- Demotion within the company
- Firing
- Poor performance reviews in spite of good job performance
If you have reported employment law violations in your workplace and feel you are being treated unfairly as a result, discrimination lawyer Dan Atkerson can help you achieve justice.
Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up Workplace Retaliation Is Unlawful
Many employees in Dallas don't report instances of race discrimination, gender discrimination, or other forms of employment discrimination because they are afraid that their employer will respond by terminating their employment or creating a hostile work environment. If you "blow the whistle" on unlawful employment practices, and your employer retaliates in some way, attorney Dan A. Atkerson can protect your rights with a workplace retaliation lawsuit.
Evidence Is Crucial For a Discrimination Claim
In Texas, employers have the right to fire an employee without giving any explanation whatsoever. Termination is never good news, and at-will employees are often quick to assume that they have been wrongfully terminated. It's important to understand that evidence makes all the difference between a lawful termination and a discrimination claim.
For example, consider an employee who is the only woman working for a Dallas company. She has always received excellent performance reviews, but one day, she is abruptly terminated. Even though she is the only woman on staff, this doesn't necessarily mean she was the victim of gender discrimination.
Continuing the above example, if there is evidence of discrimination by her employer, the employee may have grounds for a wrongful termination case. This evidence could include:
- Fellow employees who can testify that the employer made derogatory remarks about her gender, or that they otherwise observed a hostile work environment.
- A track record of the employer firing women despite good job performance.
- Correspondence such as emails that contain degrading remarks about her gender.
In another example, say you are fired after reporting the sexual harassment of a fellow employee in your workplace. This would not be considered illegal unless you can prove you were fired because you reported the harassment.
Gathering the necessary evidence is a significant challenge in many of these cases, regardless of whether you suspect your termination was related to your protected class, your choice to exercise a right, or your decision to report unlawful activity. Consulting an employment lawyer like Dan Atkerson is the best way to determine if your rights were violated, and to take the appropriate legal action.
Reasons to Take Action
Even if you believe you have a case with evidence to support a discrimination claim, you may hesitate to get in touch with a discrimination attorney due to concerns over the time and financial expense it might involve. However, there are four important reasons why anyone with grounds for a lawsuit should consider taking action:
- You can afford representation by discrimination attorney Dan Atkerson. That's because he works on contingency—you don't pay anything unless and until he collects a settlement or jury award.
- The case may not take long to resolve. Discrimination suits can bring an employer a lot of unwanted attention, harm company morale, and make it difficult to attract great employees. If you have grounds for legal action, it is probably in the employer's best interest to settle the case as quickly as possible.
- You don't deserve these losses. The lack of income and the stress of being wrongfully terminated are hardships that result from someone else's unlawful actions. If you are the victim of workplace discrimination, you deserve restitution.
- You can make a difference. If you have suffered discrimination or witnessed the discrimination of a co-worker, it won't likely be the last time these things happen at your workplace. By taking legal action, you can prevent others in Greater Dallas from suffering similar losses.
Let's Get Started Dan Atkerson Is Ready to Help Dallas Workers
Workers have a right to earn a living in an environment free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation against those who report illegal actions by employers. The unfortunate reality is that employment rights violations occur frequently, and these violations aren't easy to prove.
For the majority of his career, Dan Atkerson has been helping workers in Dallas and throughout Texas take a stand when discrimination places an obstacle between them and their livelihood. He can represent you in negotiations or court proceedings in order to substantiate wrongdoing on the part of your employer. With Mr. Atkerson as your attorney, you can collect restitution that will help you maintain your quality of life as you begin a new phase in your career.
Texas state laws only grant you 180 days from the incident (or incidents) of discrimination. Don't let your opportunity to achieve justice pass you by. Request your case review online or give us a call today:
(214) 383-3606
More 5-Star Reviews for Dan A. Atkerson "His professionalism and attention to detail were impressive."
Stephanie Me Me
Allen, TX
2023
Considering needing a lawyer to help with an employment issue is never something one looks forward to, Mr. Dan Atkerson helped to make this as smooth as possible. He was very professional, kept me in the loop at all times, and remained steadfast despite the hurdles personal to my specific case. I would highly recommend Mr. Atkerson and would trust him to represent me should I have a need in the future.
View on GoogleBurnett Taylor
Allen, TX
2023
Dan is very professional. I would recommend the Law firm if you ever need representation. His professionalism and attention to detail were impressive. The Law firm communicated Every step of the process with knowledge and precision. I highly recommend Dan Atkerson Law office.
View on GooglePotential Damages In a Workplace Discrimination Case
Employees who suffer discrimination in Dallas can potentially receive financial compensation for their mistreatment. Calculating damages in employment law cases can be complicated, which is why we recommend working with an employment discrimination lawyer like Dan A. Atkerson. Depending on the details of your case, you could stand to receive multiple forms of compensation, including:
Financial Losses
If you are the victim of discrimination, there's a good chance that the discriminatory behavior prevented you from earning the income you truly deserve based on your position, skills, and experience. This sort of unfair treatment can be particularly egregious when some employees are paid more or less than other employees in the same role. Through a workplace discrimination lawsuit, you can potentially receive the money you should have been paid all along.
Intangible Damages
Employment discrimination doesn't only affect your wallet; discriminatory behavior can lead to intense and lasting emotional distress and mental anguish. While these damages can be hard to quantify, it is possible for an employment discrimination lawyer like Dan A. Atkerson to build a persuasive case that compels your employer to compensate you for your hardship.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases of particularly flagrant discrimination, a court can require an employer to pay punitive damages to the wronged employee. Punitive damages are meant only to punish the employer. Usually, if a discrimination case potentially exposes an organization to punitive damages, the employer will attempt to settle the case before it reaches a trial. Discrimination lawyer Dan Atkerson can help you design a legal strategy and recommend whether a pre-trial settlement represents your best possible outcome.
"Dan Atkerson, Esq. was so respectful and his guidance was well thought out and successful with representing me. He is well known in Texas and has a great reputation based on his experience, which was important to me when choosing him for my specific legal situation. Great communication skills, and legal knowledge." Rana, 5-Star Google Review
Employment Discrimination FAQ
If you are a Dallas worker who believes you have suffered discrimination on the job, we encourage you to book a consultation with Dan Atkerson as soon as possible. Until then, we have provided some answers to frequent questions about discrimination law to help give you a frame of reference:
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In Texas, you have 180 days - or about six months - from the date of the incident(s) of harassment in which to bring legal action. The sooner you speak to a discrimination attorney, the better.
Aside from my boss, I am the only employee at my job. Can I file a sexual harassment suit, or is my company too small?
Yes, you can. Not long ago, protections to employees in Dallas and throughout Texas were only granted to companies with 15 or more employees, but that changed on September 1, 2021.
My co-worker uses racial slurs against me daily. I haven't told administrators yet. Can I bring legal action?
You should first consult your employee handbook (if one exists) and follow the protocol outlined there. If there is no specified process, notify your administrators in a way that can be documented, such as an email. If you make an effort to let the administrators handle the situation, but no changes occur, it's time to reach out to an attorney.I suffered sexual harassment during a job interview. What should I do?
Obviously, this isn't an instance in which you can turn to a human resources department. If you were subjected to sexual harassment while interviewing for a job, go ahead and reach out to an attorney. Dan Atkerson can discuss your case and help you file a harassment claim through the EEOC.
The best way to get the answers you want and the advice you need following workplace discrimination is to book a consultation with Dan Atkerson, at attorney proudly serving Greater Dallas.
"Had an amazing experience with Dan! he communicates and has a sense of urgency. He was able to resolve my issue less than a month." Sheila Bhimani, 5-Star Google Review
