{"id":357774,"date":"2022-01-03T12:08:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T17:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/legal-help-and-resources\/can-i-sue-employer-for-verbal-abuse.html"},"modified":"2024-01-23T09:38:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T14:38:06","slug":"can-i-sue-employer-for-verbal-abuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/legal-help-and-resources\/can-i-sue-employer-for-verbal-abuse.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue My Employer for Verbal Abuse?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue My Employer for Verbal Abuse?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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You may be able to sue your employer for verbal abuse if it creates a hostile work environment or qualifies as illegal discrimination. In some cases, you might also have a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress if the abuse is extreme and causes severe harm. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Yes, you may be able to sue your employer for verbal abuse. Although state law generally doesn’t recognize it as a separate cause of action, in some cases, verbal abuse can constitute illegal workplace discrimination under state and federal law. If the verbal abuse is severe and outrageous enough, you may also be able to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

We discuss this claim in another article on workplace harassment<\/a>, but we will go over the basics in this article.<\/p>\r\n

A lawsuit against your employer for verbal abuse is generally considered an employment law case. Because these cases are complex, it\u2019s important to consult a local employment law attorney<\/a> to understand your rights and options. An experienced attorney can review the specifics of your situation and advise on the next best steps to protect your interests.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Verbal Abuse?<\/h2>\r\n

In general, verbal abuse is the use of words to cause someone else harm. It can be hard to define, but we all know it when we see it.<\/p>\r\n

Verbal abuse can include the following:<\/p>\r\n