New York Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination Lawyers

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for students to endure bullying and harassment at school, whether they’re in elementary, middle, or high school. Students might also fall victim to this harmful behavior when they’re on social media with their peers.

If your child is a victim of bullying or discriminatory harassment in school, you might be able to hold the academic institution accountable for failing to put a stop to the mistreatment. Through civil litigation, you could pursue compensation and accountability for the emotional and mental harm your child suffered due to the school’s lack of response and intervention.

The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are dedicated to ending bullying and harassment in schools and have extensive experience representing victims of these targeted and unjust acts. Our team has the necessary skills to craft a winning legal strategy on your behalf and seek the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (212) 779-0057 to set up a free, no-risk consultation. We’ll discuss your case, review your legal options, and help you determine how to move forward.

Let’s take a look at what constitutes bullying and harassment and what you can do if your child has been victimized by it.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying in schools occurs when a student repeatedly and often aggressively causes harm to another student, either verbally or physically. Bullying can involve:

• Pushing and shoving
• Punching or slapping
• Tripping a student
• Jeering at a student
• Damaging a student’s personal property
• Calling names
• Making fun of another student
• Intentionally excluding a student
• Cyberbullying, including sending cruel messages to a student
• Starting negative rumors about a student
• Causing a student to feel ashamed of their identity or background

What Is Harassment?

Harassment occurs when a particular student is subjected to targeted, discriminatory action or mistreatment because of their gender, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, or disability. Sometimes, harassment involves bullying. For example, if a student physically harms another student due to the victim’s sexual orientation or uses racial slurs against a student of color, that would constitute harassment and bullying.

Where Do Bullying and Harassment Occur?

Bullying and harassment between students can occur physically in school or online.

In-School Bullying

Bullying has been a common issue in schools for a long time. Many schools have zero-tolerance policies for any form of bullying or harassment. When a student comes forward with an allegation of bullying or harassment, the school is supposed to investigate the matter, discern what occurred, and decide how the perpetrator should be reprimanded, with the goal of preventing the behavior from recurring in the future.

School should be a safe environment where students can learn and develop, free from mistreatment. Unfortunately, schools sometimes fail to appropriately respond to bullying and harassment allegations.

Cyberbullying

When bullying occurs online, it is known as “cyberbullying.” Traditionally, bullying has taken place on school grounds, but in the digital age, bullying can happen online too. Bullying commonly occurs on social media platforms, where bullies have free range to spread rumors and gossip, say hurtful things, or make fun of other students. Due to the immediacy of social media, anything a bully posts can quickly be amplified by others.

Many students fall victim to cyberbullying every year in the United States, and tragically, cyberbullying has even compelled some students to take their own lives as a result. Bullying and harassment have no place in a civilized society, and students should not have to live in fear while trying to get an education. That’s why school administrators have a duty to protect students from bullying and harassment and take appropriate action when it occurs.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Being Bullied or Harassed at School?

If your child confides in you that they are being bullied or harassed at school, you should report the mistreatment to the principal or another appropriate administrator in writing. In your initial communication with the school, you should provide details about the bullying or harassment that your child has suffered and ask to schedule a sit-down meeting with the administrator to discuss the issue.

This communication can be used as evidence to demonstrate that you brought the bullying or harassment to the school administration’s attention. Once you’ve made the school’s administrators aware of the situation, they’ll have an opportunity to investigate the matter and determine what action the school needs to take.

What If the School Fails to Address the Issue?

If the school fails to respond to your request, fails to thoroughly investigate the allegations, or neglects to take appropriate action to ensure your child’s safety, then you could hold them responsible for the harm and losses your child suffers. You would do this through a civil lawsuit. If you successfully prove your case in civil court, a judge or jury will decide whether to award you compensation and the value of your case.

Civil litigation can be complicated, especially when it involves a school or school district. That’s why it is imperative to secure proper legal representation. Having an attorney in your corner who will defend your rights and advocate for your best interests can significantly benefit your case. A seasoned bullying and harassment attorney can help you navigate through the court process and provide sound legal advice along the way.

Contact Hach & Rose, LLP Today

Is your child a victim of bullying or harassment that occurred in school? If so, contact the New York attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP right away to discuss your case and review your options. You deserve a chance to hold the institution that failed to protect your child accountable for its failure to address the issue at hand.

If you choose to hire us, our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gather evidence to bolster your case, identify the liable party or parties, estimate the full extent of the losses you incurred, and aggressively pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Our team will work tirelessly to seek justice for your child and family.

Contact us today at (212) 779-0057 to set up a free, no-obligation case review with one of our passionate and seasoned bullying and harassment lawyers.