Texas Discrimination Attorneys

If you were fired, demoted, passed over, harassed, or paid less because of who you are — your race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or disability — the law is on your side, and you don't have to take on a powerful employer alone. Many employment discrimination cases are handled on contingency, so you pay no attorney fee unless you win, and the discrimination laws even let a winning employee recover attorney's fees from the employer. The deadlines to act are short, so the sooner you talk to an experienced discrimination lawyer, the better your options.

What Counts as Illegal Workplace Discrimination in Texas?

It is illegal for an employer to treat you worse because of a protected characteristic. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), religion, age (40 and over), disability, and genetic information. Illegal actions can include:

• Firing, demoting, or refusing to hire you because of a protected trait.
• Paying you less than others for the same work.
• Harassment that creates a hostile work environment.
• Denying a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religion.
• Retaliating against you for complaining about discrimination.

Whether specific conduct crosses the legal line is fact-specific, which is exactly why a lawyer's review of your situation is valuable.

What Laws Protect Texas Employees From Discrimination?

Both federal and Texas laws protect employees, and they often overlap. The key statutes are:

Texas adds the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, found in Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division.

How Long Do You Have to File a Discrimination Charge in Texas?

The deadlines are short and missing them can bar your claim. In Texas, to preserve a federal claim you generally must file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the discriminatory act. To preserve a state claim under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, you generally must file with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division within 180 days. Because Texas is a "deferral" state with its own civil-rights agency, employees here get the longer 300-day federal window. Most employees file a single charge that is cross-filed with both agencies. Given how easily these clocks run out, getting advice quickly is one of the most important steps.

What Is Workplace Retaliation?

Retaliation is when an employer punishes you for asserting your rights, and it is illegal on its own. If you report discrimination, file a charge, request an accommodation, or take part in an investigation, the employer cannot lawfully fire, demote, cut the pay of, or otherwise punish you for it. According to the EEOC, retaliation is the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination in the charges it receives — and a retaliation claim can succeed even if the original complaint is not ultimately proven, as long as you raised it in good faith.

What Can You Recover in a Texas Discrimination Case?

Remedies are designed to make you whole and to deter future misconduct. Depending on the facts, a successful case can recover:

• Back pay — lost wages and benefits from the discrimination.
• Reinstatement or front pay — your job back, or future lost wages.
• Compensatory damages — for emotional harm and other losses.
• Punitive damages — where the conduct was malicious or reckless.
• Attorney's fees — the laws allow a prevailing employee to recover them from the employer.

Federal and Texas law cap compensatory and punitive damages based on the employer's size. A lawyer can estimate the realistic value of a claim from its facts.

How the Right Discrimination Lawyer Wins These Cases

An experienced employment lawyer levels a playing field that is usually tilted toward the employer. A skilled lawyer can:

• Evaluate whether the facts support a discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claim.
• File the EEOC or TWC charge correctly and on time, preserving your rights.
• Gather evidence — emails, witness accounts, pay records, and patterns of treatment.
• Negotiate a settlement or take the case to court if needed.
• Pursue attorney's fees from the employer under the discrimination statutes.

Related Employment and Benefits Help in Texas

• Texas disability lawyers — disability benefits and accommodation issues.
• Texas Social Security disability attorneys — if a condition keeps you from working.
• All practice areas — browse every type of lawyer we can connect you with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Discrimination Lawyers

What counts as illegal workplace discrimination in Texas?

Federal and Texas law make it illegal for an employer to take action against you because of a protected characteristic, such as race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), religion, age (40 and over), disability, or genetic information. Illegal actions can include firing, demotion, refusing to hire, unequal pay, harassment, or denial of a reasonable accommodation. Whether conduct crosses the legal line is fact-specific, which is why a lawyer's review helps.

What laws protect Texas employees from discrimination?

The main federal laws are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (race, color, religion, sex, national origin), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Equal Pay Act (EPA). Texas adds the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, found in Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, which mirrors much of federal law and is enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division.

How long do I have to file a discrimination charge in Texas?

Deadlines are short and strict. To preserve a federal claim, you generally must file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the discriminatory act in Texas. To preserve a state claim under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, you generally must file with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division within 180 days. Missing the deadline can bar your claim, so acting quickly is important.

Do I have to file with the EEOC before I can sue?

Generally yes. For most employment discrimination claims you must first file a charge with the EEOC or the Texas Workforce Commission and receive a notice of right to sue before filing a lawsuit. This is called exhausting your administrative remedies. The agencies have a worksharing agreement, so a charge filed with one is often cross-filed with the other. A lawyer can handle this process for you.

What is workplace retaliation?

Retaliation is when an employer punishes you for asserting your rights, such as reporting discrimination, filing a charge, or participating in an investigation. Punishment can mean firing, demotion, pay cuts, or other adverse actions. Retaliation is itself illegal under Title VII and the Texas Labor Code, even if the underlying complaint is ultimately not proven, as long as you raised it in good faith.

What can I recover in a Texas discrimination case?

Depending on the case, remedies can include back pay, reinstatement or front pay, compensatory damages for emotional harm, punitive damages where the conduct was malicious or reckless, and attorney's fees. Federal and Texas law place caps on compensatory and punitive damages that vary by employer size. A lawyer can estimate the value of a claim based on its facts.

How much does a discrimination lawyer cost in Texas?

Many employment discrimination cases are taken on a contingency fee, meaning the lawyer is paid a percentage of any recovery and you pay no attorney fee unless you win. In addition, the discrimination laws allow a prevailing employee to recover attorney's fees from the employer. You should always confirm the fee arrangement in writing before you sign.

What is sexual harassment under Texas law?

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct that creates a hostile work environment or is tied to job decisions. Texas law gives employees an extended window to file sexual harassment claims and applies broader employer responsibility for such conduct than for some other claims. A lawyer can explain how the rules apply to your situation.

Does it cost anything to be referred to a discrimination lawyer?

No. The Texas Lawyer Referral Service is free and certified by the State Bar of Texas. There is no charge to be connected with an employment lawyer, and many discrimination cases are handled on contingency, so the lawyer is paid only if you win. You can call or text any time, day or night.

How do I get a discrimination lawyer in Texas right now?

Call or text 512-872-4400 any time, day or night. You will be connected with an experienced employment discrimination lawyer serving your area anywhere in Texas. The referral is free and there is no obligation.