Peyton Stover, a former beverage cart attendant, has filed a lawsuit against Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, California. In her lawsuit, Stover claims that she was sexually harassed and groped by members, and that their actions were enabled by club management, who did nothing to protect her.
Stover’s employment at Old Ranch Country Club began in 2019, and within months, she was groped and propositioned by male members of the club, according to the lawsuit. Accusations of sexual harassment include one member offering to pay her $300 to see her breasts. He then lifted her shirt in front of other members, pushed her against a golf cart, and poured alcohol on her. Another incident involved a club member kissing her without consent, then throwing money at her and asking her to move into his home. The lawsuit also detailed an incident where one of the members attempted to talk the plaintiff into starting a sex toy business with him.
When she complained to higher ups at the club, Stover said she was told to go along with their requests, as the members “pay enough” to do what they like at the club. In addition, management allegedly encouraged her to give out her cell phone number so that members can contact her about drink orders. This also allowed them to send her sexually explicit messages – another form of sexual harassment.
According to the lawsuit, the club “expected [Stover] to keep club members happy and as a result, she felt as though she had no other choice but to allow this conduct to continue despite her prior cries for help.”
Stover is seeking over $15 million in monetary damages, including approximately $5,000,000 in economic damages and $10,000,000 in non-economic damages. Furthermore, she is seeking compensation for wage and hours violations due to the club forcing her to work long hours without rest or meal breaks.
This lawsuit is one of many legal actions filed by former employees of country clubs throughout California. The truth is, sexual misconduct and employee rights violations are very common in businesses that cater to the rich and famous. Perhaps Peyton Stover’s story resonates with you because you too, suffered sexual abuse as a current or former country club employee. If so, we encourage you to learn about your rights from a sexual assault at a country club lawyer.
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The Prevalence of Sexual Abuse at California Country Clubs
According to Peyton Stover’s lawyer, Raymond Babaian, “It’s shocking that any employer would tell an employee that club members pay enough to grope who they want, but that’s exactly what the Old Ranch told my client.”
Sadly, this type of thing happens on the regular in country clubs, where attractive people are specifically hired to serve as “eye candy” for wealthy members. But actions by some of these members go beyond just looking at the person. Women and men that work at these clubs are often subjected to abuse in the form of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Even worse, any complaints to management often end up in punitive actions against the employee, and not the offending club member.
Are you a victim of sexual abuse at a country club or golf course? Were you subjected to sexually inappropriate conduct by staff members at a golf or country club? You do not have to suffer in silence while the club owners and operators get away with their negligence. Contact our attorneys to discuss your case and learn about your legal options during a free consultation.
Can I Sue if I was Sexually Harassed by Club Members and Employees?
Yes, you can file a civil lawsuit if you were sexually harassed while working for a golf club or any other employer in the state of California. However, there are steps that you will need to take before you can seek intervention from the courts. First, make sure to report the incident to your management / HR department, even if you don’t think they will help you. Regardless of their attitude, you have to give them a chance to take action and establish that you went through the proper channels to file a complaint.
As for your employer, they are required to investigate your complaint according to the company’s anti-harassment policy. Based on your circumstances, you may have the right to file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DHEA). Finally, you may be eligible for a civil lawsuit against your employer, which we can discuss with you during a free, confidential meeting.
Keep in mind that it’s important to follow through on these steps as soon as possible. For one thing, you must have evidence to support your accusations, and filing a formal complaint is the best way to achieve that goal. Moreover, you have a limited amount of time to file a legal action for incidents of sexual abuse at your job.
Our mission is to guide you through the legal process and ensure that you are compensated for the abuse you endured at your workplace. Please contact us for advice on your available legal options if you were sexually harassed by members or fellow employees while working at a country club.
Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Case Values
The lawsuit filed by Peyton Stove is seeking around $15 million, but it’s likely that both sides will agree on a lower amount. As for what a sexual abuse victim actually ends up with from a lawsuit, it may be anywhere from $500,000 to $2,500,000 and above, based on many factors that are unique to your circumstances. This includes the impact of the abuse on your professional and personal life, which is why non-economic damages play such a huge role in these cases. In addition, victims may receive an additional sum, known as punitive damages if their case goes before a jury.
A knowledgeable sexual harassment lawyer is your best source of information if you are interested in finding out how much your lawsuit is worth. We are happy to meet with you during a free consultation at our law firm, where we can take the time to address all your questions and concerns.
Estimated Time to Reach a Settlement
Along with the potential value of your case, you probably have questions about the amount of time it will take to settle your claim. How long it takes to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit depends on numerous factors, including the available evidence, the amount you are seeking, and cooperation by the defendant.
As many of these cases are worth $1,000,000 and above, negotiating a settlement can be a long and arduous process. In addition, country club members expect a high degree of discretion for the money they pay, and accusations of sexual assault or harassment is the last thing they want to be associated with. Thus, it’s expected that club owners will do everything in their power to deny liability when they are accused of negligence by a sexual abuse victim.
There are instances where a settlement is reached in just a few months, but these lawsuits often take one or more years. And yes, some of these cases end up in court, but it’s very rare that a settlement is not achieved at some point between the two parties. If taking your case to trial is the only viable option, it can take over two years to receive compensation on a country club sexual abuse claim.
Time Limit to File a Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse
Lawsuits involving sexual harassment at your job must be filed within 3 years from the most recent incident of abuse. Keep in mind that the courts are very strict about the statute of limitations for a lawsuit. That means your right to sue will most likely be invalidated if you wait too long to pursue a legal case. With that in mind, please take this opportunity to call us and speak to a lawyer that can educate you on your rights as a victim of sexual abuse. That way, you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with your case, while knowing that there is no pressure to do anything you’re not 100% comfortable with. For a free, confidential meeting with a sexual harassment lawsuit attorney, contact our office.
Consultation with an Experienced Sexual Harassment Lawyer
While there has been substantial education on sexual harassment over the years, these incidents continue on a daily basis at workplaces throughout the world, including upscale golf clubs. In fact, the rate of abuse is even worse in places where members pay thousands of dollars every year, along with additional fees for drinks, meals, and other services. These payments give certain members a sense of entitlement, including the right to harass and assault the employees.
We have seen a great number of these cases during our many years of representing sexual abuse victims. While there is no way to stop these incidents for good, the law allows victims to go after the responsible parties and receive compensation for their harm and suffering. The key is to obtain high quality representation from a law firm with experience in workplace sexual harassment and assault cases.
Whether you take legal action is completely up to you, but we would like to inform you of your rights and legal options during a free case review. If you have an existing claim with another law firm, perhaps you could use a free second opinion from one of our legal experts. If you decide to pursue a sexual abuse lawsuit, you will not be charged for any legal fees under the Zero Fee Guarantee. Our expenses are included in the settlement you receive from the defendant, so in essence, we don’t’ make a cent unless you receive payment.
We look forward to fighting for you and the justice you deserve as a victim of workplace sexual harassment and other forms of sexual abuse. Contact us today and schedule a time to speak with a member of our legal team.
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