Modesto Bullying Lawyer

Bullying can lead to serious emotional trauma, long-term psychological damage, and in some cases, physical injury that affects victims for years. Victims of bullying, whether they are students, employees, or private citizens, have legal options they can pursue. A personal injury attorney could help. A Modesto bullying lawyer from Curtis Legal Group could evaluate whether someone can be held liable under state or federal law and work to restore your sense of safety.

Your Child’s Legal Rights Against a School Bully

Unfortunately, bullying remains a common problem among students in middle and high school. Under California Education Code § 234.1, school districts must adopt specific policies to prevent and address bullying. If a school fails to act after being notified of harassment, the district can be held legally responsible for allowing continued harm to the student. When administrators ignore reports of bullying or retaliate against students who come forward, a lawyer could help Modesto families file lawsuits for negligence or civil rights violations.

An Employee’s Rights Against a Workplace Bully

When bullying is based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or another protected status, it qualifies as unlawful harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (California Government Code § 12940). However, not all unlawful bullying must be tied to a protected category.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and supportive work environment. Repeated psychological abuse, verbal attacks, or sabotage can be considered workplace bullying. If the bullying behavior is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with the employee’s ability to do their job, a Modesto attorney could help them take legal action.

Legal Options If You Are Being Extorted or Intimidated

If you are being threatened, blackmailed, or extorted, this constitutes a criminalized form of bullying. California Penal Code § 518, for example, defines extortion as the use of force, threats, or fear to obtain money, property, or action from another person. Victims of extortion can report the crime to the county sheriff’s department or the police department, both of which have jurisdiction over these offenses.

Additionally, a lawyer could help Modesto victims of these crimes of intimidation file civil lawsuits for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, or defamation, especially if the conduct occurs online or is widely disseminated.

When Does Bullying Become a Civil Rights Issue?

In certain cases, bullying violates not only state law or school policy but also federal civil rights protections. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, for example, prohibits discrimination based on sex in any federally funded education program. When Modesto schools fail to stop sexual harassment, assault, or gender-based bullying, a lawyer could help victims bring a lawsuit directly under Title IX.

For example, if a student in a public school is repeatedly targeted with homophobic slurs or racial threats, and the school does nothing, this inaction could be seen as deliberate indifference. Courts have held that when schools have actual knowledge of harassment and do not rectify the situation, they can be held financially liable for student harm.

The same principles apply to discrimination based on race or disability under federal statutes such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act § 504. These federal laws supplement California’s own protections under the Unruh Civil Rights Act (California Civil Code § 51) and California Government Code § 11135.

Discuss Your Bullying Case With a Modesto Attorney

Curtis Legal Group is known for handling complex injury and bullying cases with care and precision. Whether your case involves school inaction, workplace abuse, extortion, or online harassment, we could help determine whether a lawsuit, complaint, or criminal report is the best next step. Call a Modesto bullying lawyer from Curtis Legal Group today to schedule a free case review.