Can you sue a store for banning you?

Asked by: Garnet Klein Jr.  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (51 votes)

Yes, you can sue a store for banning you, but only if the ban is based on illegal discrimination (race, religion, disability, etc.) or an unfair/deceptive practice, not just because you're a "problem customer," as businesses can generally refuse service for non-discriminatory reasons like loitering or policy violations, though you might still contest it with corporate or consumer agencies.

Can you sue for being banned from a store?

Federal law protects customers from being banned from a business under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and also pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Can you be banned from a store for no reason?

Generally, the answer is yes, so long as the reason for the ban is non-discriminatory and does not violate federal, state, or local laws.

Can you sue a company for blackballing you?

Blacklisting as retaliation is illegal

If they spread untrue information or purposefully discourage other employers from hiring you, they can be held liable for damages. Most employers are savvy enough to realize that the legal and financial danger to themselves isn't worth the act of revenge.

Is it worth suing a company for discrimination?

Suing a company for discrimination can be worth it for financial compensation (lost wages, emotional distress), to create a safer workplace, and to hold the employer accountable, but it has downsides like potential retaliation, high legal costs, time commitment, and emotional strain. Whether it's "worth it" depends on the strength of your evidence, the severity of the harm, your financial needs, and your willingness to navigate a complex legal process, often best assessed with an experienced employment lawyer. 

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25 related questions found

Is it hard to win a discrimination case?

The Harvard Law and Policy Review published an article in 2009 which found that employees only win discrimination cases against their employers 15% of the time. Luckily, public awareness of the need for consequences increases your odds of finding justice.

What are 5 examples of unfair discrimination?

Five examples of unfair discrimination include being passed over for promotion due to race or gender (racial/gender bias), paying women less for the same job as men (unequal pay), denying reasonable accommodations for a disability (disability discrimination), harassing someone for their sexual orientation (sexual orientation discrimination), or retaliating against an employee for reporting harassment (retaliation). These actions unfairly disadvantage individuals based on protected traits rather than merit, violating laws like Title VII. 

What evidence do you need to prove discrimination?

To prove discrimination, you generally need to show you belong to a protected class, were qualified for your job, suffered an adverse action (like firing, demotion, or unequal pay), and that there's a causal link between your protected status and the employer's action, often by showing similarly situated colleagues outside your class were treated better or by using evidence like biased comments, suspicious timing, or inconsistent policies. Evidence can be direct (a "smoking gun" email) or circumstantial (patterns of behavior), with comparative evidence (comparing your treatment to others) being very common. 

What to do if you have been blackballed?

If you suspect that you have been blacklisted, gather evidence. This may include asking for feedback from failed job applications or speaking to industry contacts who may provide insights into any rumors or negative feedback circulating about you. Before taking any action, consider the legal aspects of the situation.

How much money can you get for a discrimination lawsuit?

The amount you can receive from a workplace discrimination lawsuit depends on your evidence, damages, and the severity of your employer's conduct. While some cases could settle for $5,000 to $100,000, others involving serious or repeated discrimination can reach six or seven-figure settlements.

What happens if I keep going back to shop I was banned from?

They may have a case to view your continued and repeated return when you've been told multiple times you're not welcome there to be harassment of their staff and could report you to the police for it.

Can Walmart legally ban you?

Walmart is a private business. It can choose not to do business with you. There is no lawsuit, and you will likely be arrested if you go back to Walmart.

Does being banned from a store go on your record?

This was not an arrest and this incident will not appear on your criminal record. When a store proceeds civilly, it's typical that you are banned from the store for a period of time. And you can also expect to get a letter from their lawyers which will ask you to pay a fine allowed by statute.

How much does it usually cost to sue?

Average lawsuit costs vary dramatically, from around $1,000-$5,000 for small claims to tens or even hundreds of thousands for complex civil cases, with median costs for typical matters like auto or employment disputes ranging from $43,000 to over $122,000, depending heavily on complexity, case type, attorney fees (often hourly or contingency), and expert witness involvement. 

What are the 4 things to prove negligence?

The four essential elements of a negligence claim are Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages, meaning the defendant owed a legal duty of care to the plaintiff, failed to meet that standard (breach), that failure directly caused harm (causation), and the plaintiff suffered actual, measurable losses (damages). To win a negligence case, the injured party (plaintiff) must prove all four elements to show the other party (defendant) was legally at fault for their injuries.
 

Can you sue someone for blackballing you?

Don't Let Past Employers Ruin Your Future

If a past employer is trying to blacklist you, you may be able to sue them for defaming you. If they are lying about you or otherwise taking illegal actions to impact your future employment, you have the right to fight back.

How do you unblacklist yourself?

Settle outstanding debts

Clearing your outstanding debts is crucial for removing the black mark on your credit report. Work diligently to settle the agreed-upon amounts with your creditors.

What is the 3 month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where both employer and employee assess fit, acting as a trial to see if the role and person align before full commitment, often involving learning goals (like a 30-60-90 day plan) and performance reviews, allowing either party to end employment more easily, notes Talent Management Institute (TMI), Frontline Source Group, Indeed.com, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). It's a crucial time for onboarding, understanding expectations, and demonstrating capability, setting the foundation for future growth, says Talent Management Institute (TMI), inTulsa Talent, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). 

What is the 80% rule in discrimination?

The 80% Rule, or Four-Fifths Rule, is an EEOC guideline to spot potential hiring discrimination: if a protected group (like a race, sex, or ethnic group) is selected at less than 80% the rate of the most favored group, it suggests "adverse impact," requiring the employer to justify the practice as job-related and necessary. It's a statistical tool, not definitive proof, indicating when further investigation into disparate impact is warranted in employment decisions.
 

How hard is it to win a discrimination case?

But when the employee was the plaintiff in an employment discrimination lawsuit, they only won 15% of the time. One of the reasons why plaintiffs in labor law cases struggle so much is because of the lack of convincing evidence.

What are 5 examples of discrimination?

Five examples of discrimination include racial discrimination (not hiring someone due to race), gender discrimination (paying a woman less for the same job as a man), disability discrimination (denying service because someone uses a wheelchair), age discrimination (forcing older employees out), and religious discrimination (ridiculing someone for wearing a headscarf). These examples show unfair treatment in hiring, pay, services, or general environment based on protected characteristics like race, sex, age, disability, or religion.
 

How to win a discrimination case?

Here are some tips for winning your discrimination lawsuit:

  1. Talk to the Offender Before You Move Forward with the Case. If you go straight to a lawyer with your case, this will probably backfire once it goes to court. ...
  2. File a Formal Complaint with Your Company. ...
  3. File an Administrative Charge. ...
  4. Hire a Lawyer.

What is the most common discrimination claim?

The single most common form of direct discrimination is disability discrimination. More than 24,000 workers brought successful claims about employers mistreating them or denying them disability accommodations in 2020. 36.1% of all discrimination claims involve disability discrimination.

What is an example of indirect harassment?

For example, constantly invading someone's personal space, standing too close, routinely “accidentally” brushing past them, or touching someone without their consent is indirect harassment. It creates discomfort and unease for the victim, impacting their ability to work in a safe and professional environment.