Carrols Corporation, the largest franchisee of Burger King Restaurants has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle 89 sexual harassment claims. According to The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agreement ends one of the most extensive lawsuits in the commission’s history.

The EEOC alleged that Carrols subjected its female employees to harassment. Allegations included obscene comments, unwanted touching, exposure of genitalia, strip searches, and even rape.

These allegations are not isolated. Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the work place is all too common. If you feel you have been sexually harassed, then chances are you have been – so you need to report it immediately. There are laws to protect you and your rights, and an Orange County sexual harassment attorney can help you navigate the often times scary terrain that comes with reporting a sexual harassment claim.

In the case above, Carrols Corporation settled out of court due to the high costs often involved in litigating something of this nature. The lawsuit began back in 1998 when a former employee in New York filed a harassment charge with the EEOC. This claim launched a nationwide investigation on behalf of 90,000 current and former female employees. Seven years into the investigation, the agency identified 511 women it believed had been sexually harassed. The class action component of the case was ultimately dismissed, leaving attorneys to litigate 511 separate cases. Over the next 5 years, the number of individual cases decreased to 89.

If you feel you are the victim of sexual harassment, chances are you are not alone. By contacting an Orange County sexual harassment attorney, you will not only protect your own rights, but also the rights of other current and future employees where you feel the harassment took place.

In this case, in addition to the $2.5 million monetary settlement, Carrols also agreed to enhance its anti-harassment policies. So as result of the one employee who first filed, the rights of countless other current and future Carrols employees were also protected.

If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, chances are others have been, or will be as well. An Orange County sexual harassment attorney can evaluate your case and offer insight into the best legal courses of action.

An Orange County sexual harassment attorney can be reached at 949-260-9131.