Did Discrimination Deny you a Job? Washington has a Law Against That
The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) was created to stamp out workplace discrimination, including discriminatory hiring and promotion practices. Today, the WLAD protects job seekers from unequal treatment based on race, sex, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and other characteristics. If you can establish four basic facts—(1) you belong to a protected group, (2) you applied and were qualified for a job, (3) the employer turned you down, and (4) the position stayed open while the company kept looking—you’ve cleared the first hurdle. From there, you need only produce enough proof to let a jury decide whether discrimination was a substantial reason for the rejection; it doesn’t have to be the only reason.
Once that threshold is met, the WLAD offers powerful remedies. A civil court can order the employer to stop discriminatory practices and award actual damages such as back pay, front pay, and compensation for mental anguish or emotional distress. Successful plaintiffs also recover their costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, easing the financial burden of pursuing justice.
If you believe you were denied a position or promotion for discriminatory reasons and you’re googling contingency fee lawyers near me, civil litigation attorney, or lawyer to sue an employer, consider Seattle Litigation Group PLLC. Our employment law firm based in downtown Seattle has dedicated attorneys that clients trust to litigate and resolve their claims in courts throughout Washington State. Ready to discuss your options? Contact Seattle Litigation Group PLLC for a free, confidential consultation