Gender discrimination lawsuits are basically lawsuits in which a victim has filed a claim of sexual discrimination against an individual or company. There are many ways that gender discrimination may occur. For instance, failing to pay men and women equal pay is considered to be sexual discrimination and is thus unlawful according to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Other instances of gender discrimination are denying maternity leave, failure to promote or hire someone based on that person's sex status, sexual harassment, and any other type of action in which an individual or group is discriminated against based on sexual status. Gender discrimination lawsuits are filed every year, and often result in large settlements being paid to persons affected by the discriminatory practice. Victims of gender discrimination may file claims by reporting to the EEOC; they are protected from being punished for filing such claims by federal law.