Ocala Employment and Civil Rights Lawyer
Massey & Duffy, PLLC represents employees and people whose civil rights have been violated in Ocala and throughout Marion County, as well as nearby Citrus, Lake, and Sumter Counties. We handle discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, wage, and Section 1983 claims in state and federal court.
Where We Are Located
Our only office is at 855 East University Avenue in Gainesville. We do not have an office in Ocala. Consultations, document review, and case management are handled by phone, email, and video, and we travel for depositions, mediations, hearings, and trial when a case requires it.
Claims We Handle for Ocala and Marion County Workers
Discrimination based on race, sex or pregnancy, age, disability, or religion
Police misconduct, false arrest, and First Amendment retaliation
Warehouse, Logistics, Healthcare, and Equine Workers
Ocala and Marion County are home to distribution centers, manufacturers, healthcare employers, and the equine industry. Common problems include unpaid overtime and off-the-clock work, employees misclassified as exempt or as independent contractors, denied requests for disability or pregnancy accommodations, and retaliation after an on-the-job injury. Florida law, section 440.205, Florida Statutes, prohibits an employer from firing, threatening to fire, intimidating, or coercing an employee because of a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.
Where Ocala Cases Are Filed
State court cases arising in Marion County are filed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake, and Sumter Counties. Federal cases are filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Ocala Division. Many discrimination claims must first go through a charge with the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
Deadlines Matter
An EEOC charge in Florida generally must be filed within 300 days, and a complaint under the Florida Civil Rights Act within 365 days. Federal civilian employees generally must contact an agency EEO counselor within 45 days. Some claims, such as public-employee whistleblower claims, have even shorter deadlines. If you think your rights were violated, talk to a lawyer promptly.
Talk With Us
Use our contact page to request a consultation, or call Massey & Duffy, PLLC at (352) 505-8900. We respond to inquiries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Our only office is in Gainesville, Florida. Results depend on the facts and law of each case; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.