Verbal Abuse: Qualifications, Penalties, and Legal Options

Verbal abuse can be incredibly damaging, often leaving victims with emotional wounds that are just as serious as those caused by physical harm. 

It can occur in virtually any setting—at home, in the workplace, online, or in public—and can range from insults and threats to manipulation and degradation. 

While verbal abuse doesn’t always leave a visible mark, its effects are long-lasting and far-reaching.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe that no one should have to endure verbal abuse. If you or someone you love has been affected, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is Verbal Abuse?

Verbal abuse is a form of emotional abuse that involves the use of words to manipulate, intimidate, insult, or control another person. While not always criminal on its own, verbal abuse can be part of a larger pattern of harassment or a hostile environment that does violate the law.

Common types of verbal abuse can include:

• Name-calling and insults
• Threats of physical harm
• Yelling and screaming
• Gaslighting (making someone question their reality)
• Blaming and scapegoating
• Humiliation in front of others
• Manipulative language to control or isolate

Verbal abuse can be especially insidious because it often escalates over time and can be minimized or dismissed by others, including employers, law enforcement, or even the victims themselves.

What Qualifies as Verbal Harassment?

Verbal abuse becomes harassment when it is unwelcome, repetitive, and creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment for the victim. It can also cross into harassment if it's tied to a protected class under federal law, such as race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

Examples of harassing verbal abuse include:

• A supervisor repeatedly making sexual jokes about an employee
• A coworker using racial slurs or mocking an accent
• An ex-partner sending threatening or degrading messages
• A neighbor shouting slurs or threats repeatedly
• Online harassment through threatening emails or social media messages
  
   

When Verbal Abuse Is Illegal

Verbal abuse becomes illegal harassment when it meets specific legal criteria. In a workplace setting, for example, verbal abuse may qualify as harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or other federal and state laws.

To qualify legally:

• The conduct must be severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment.
• It must be based on a protected characteristic.
• It must be unwelcome and reported to the employer.
  
   

What to Do if Verbal Abuse Happens at Work

Verbal abuse at work can be particularly stressful, especially when it comes from someone in a position of power. Victims may feel they have no choice but to tolerate the abuse to keep their job.

Here’s what you can do if you’re experiencing verbal abuse at work:

1. Document Everything

Keep a detailed record of each incident. Include:

• Date and time
• What was said or done
• Who was involved or witnessed it
• How it made you feel

This documentation is critical if you decide to file a complaint or pursue legal action.

 

2. Report It Internally

Most companies have procedures in place to handle harassment or abuse.

• Report the behavior to Human Resources (HR).
• Follow up with an email so there is a written record.
• Request an investigation and ask for a timeline of next steps.
  
   

3. File a Formal Complaint

If your employer does not take appropriate action or if retaliation occurs, you may be able to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a similar state agency.

4. Seek Legal Help

Sometimes internal systems fail to protect workers. If you've reported verbal abuse and nothing has changed, or if you're suffering emotional distress, missed promotions, or wrongful termination, you may be able to file a lawsuit for harassment or a hostile work environment.

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys can review your case confidentially and help you understand your rights.

Can Someone Go to Jail for Verbal Abuse? What Are the Consequences for the Verbal Abuser?

The legal penalties for verbal abuse depend on the severity, setting, and jurisdiction. While a single rude comment may not land someone in legal trouble, repeated abusive behavior, especially when it crosses into threats, discrimination, or harassment, can have serious consequences.

Workplace Consequences

When verbal abuse is committed in the workplace, the following consequences may take their toll:

• Verbal warning or written reprimand
• Suspension or mandatory training
• Demotion or termination
• Loss of professional license or credentials
• Civil liability if a lawsuit is filed
  
   

Legal Penalties

Depending on the case, the abuser could face:

• Fines or civil damages
• Restraining or protective orders
• Criminal charges for threats or stalking
• Court-mandated anger management or counseling
• Injunctions or cease-and-desist orders
  
   

Civil Lawsuits

In many cases, victims of verbal abuse may choose to pursue civil action. If successful, the court may order the abuser (or in workplace cases, the employer) to pay:

• Emotional distress damages
• Lost wages or back pay
• Punitive damages for especially egregious conduct
• Legal fees and court costs
  
   

Legal Options for Victims of Verbal Abuse

Victims of verbal abuse have several legal options depending on the context and severity of the abuse.

Workplace Harassment Claims

If you’ve been harassed at work based on a protected characteristic (like race or gender), you can file a charge with the EEOC and even sue your employer for maintaining a hostile work environment.

 

Civil Lawsuits

If the abuse caused you measurable emotional harm, you may be able to sue the abuser in civil court for:

• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
• Defamation if false statements damaged your reputation
• Harassment or stalking under applicable state laws
  
   

Protective or Restraining Orders

If the verbal abuse includes threats or stalking behavior, you may qualify for a restraining order. This can legally prevent the abuser from contacting or approaching you.
 

Cyber Harassment or Online Threats

Many states have passed laws targeting cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital threats. If someone is verbally abusing you online:

• Save screenshots and URLs as evidence.
• Report the abuse to the platform and law enforcement if necessary.
• Legal action may include criminal charges or civil suits for emotional harm.
  
   

Verbal Abuse in Domestic Relationships

Verbal abuse in domestic relationships is often a precursor to physical violence. It can be part of a broader pattern of emotional manipulation and control.

Signs of domestic verbal abuse include:

• Constant belittling or name-calling
• Threats to harm you, your family, or pets
• Isolating you from friends or family
• Blaming you for everything that goes wrong
   

Even if no physical violence occurs, victims can still seek legal protection.

You can contact a domestic violence hotline or shelter and seek a legal protective order.

If in a legal marriage, you can also work with an attorney to explore custody or divorce options. Your attorney can also assist in filing a civil lawsuit for emotional distress or loss of income.

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand the unique challenges domestic abuse victims face and can help you take the right steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Why Verbal Abuse Should Be Taken Seriously

It’s a common misconception that “words don’t hurt.” But in truth, verbal abuse can lead to serious mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts
• Sleep disturbances and chronic stress

Victims may also experience professional consequences, like being passed over for promotions or leaving jobs entirely due to persistent abuse.

That’s why holding abusers accountable is so important. Legal action isn’t just about compensation—it’s about validation, justice, and the opportunity to rebuild.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Verbal abuse is more than just hurtful language, it can be a form of harassment, a warning sign of deeper abuse, and a legal violation in its own right. Whether it happens in the workplace, a personal relationship, or online, no one should have to suffer in silence.

At Morgan & Morgan, we stand For the People—and that includes individuals who have been emotionally and verbally abused. Whether you’ve suffered in the workplace, at home, or online, we’re here to help you explore your legal options and pursue justice.

If you or a loved one has experienced verbal abuse, contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation. You don’t have to face this alone.