Under the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the U.S. Code, racial discrimination is illegal in Louisiana. According to such laws, an employer cannot use race as the basis for making decisions regarding hiring, recruitment, wage levels, or promotion opportunities.

What Must Be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

The federal agency known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the authority to conduct investigations of workplace discrimination, and employees must file their discrimination claims wih the EEOC prior to suing in a civil court. Race or nationality discrimination involves an employer treating you differently than those you work with that are of other races or nationalities.

To be able to prove a claim of racial discrimination, the Berwick plaintiff also needs to show that the employer had an intent to discriminate, and that the discriminatory action was based on race. The employer's intent can often be proven by showing that other people of different races were treated preferentially.

How Can a Berwick Lawyer Help with My Claim?

In some cases also, recorded statements made by the employer about racial issues can be used to establish intent. In this area of litigation, procedural laws will vary greatly depending on where the claim is filed, and a Berwick attorney will be knowledgeable of the requirements for your particular location. Should you decide to file your claim at the EEOC, a Louisiana lawyer will be able to help you out, and they can also point you towards other types of remedies available to you while your claim is pending.