Wrongful Termination
Employees in Ohio who believe they have been the victim of wrongful termination may be entitled to compensation for damages that include lost wages and emotional distress, which they can pursue by filing a wrongful termination claim against their employer. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to prove your case in a wrongful termination claim, which often comes down to the employer’s word against the employee’s. That’s why it is in your best interest to hire a knowledgeable wrongful termination attorney to represent your case, one that is intimately familiar with laws against workplace discrimination and wrongful termination, and has experience handling wrongful termination cases in Ohio. With a skilled lawyer on your side, you can protect your legal rights and pursue the damages you and your family deserve for your wrongful termination.
What is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is discharged from employment for unlawful reasons that violate an employee’s rights or company policy. There are a number of reasons a termination from employment in Ohio may be considered wrongful. For example, anti-discrimination laws prevent employers from terminating employees based on their sex, age, race or religion, and it is also illegal for employers to terminate employees for filing an OSHA complaint or a workers’ compensation claim, as this may be considered workplace retaliation. Employers are prohibited from terminating whistleblowers, or employees who report violations of various laws, including laws regulating workplace safety and health, food safety, and consumer product laws, and other forms of wrongful termination may include:
- Being fired because of a disability
- Being fired for filing a sexual harassment complaint
- Being fired after complaining about an unfair practice in the workplace
- Being fired while on maternity or medical leave
Ohio an “At-Will” Employment State
Ohio is an “at-will” employment state, which means that most employers in Ohio have the right to terminate an employee at any time, for any legal reason or for no reason at all. If you are employed in an at-will state, and your employer decides to let you go, there are few legal avenues available to you to contest your termination. However, even employees in Ohio and other at-will states have certain rights, and cannot be terminated for reasons that violate public policy, or state or federal laws prohibiting workplace discrimination. Similarly, employees in at-will states cannot be fired for filing a complaint about illegal activity, health and safety violations, harassment, or discrimination, for taking family and medical leave, for taking time off work to vote or serve on a jury, or for taking leave to serve in the military.
Pursuing a Legal Claim for Wrongful Termination
Employees in Ohio who have been wrongfully terminated may have grounds to file a legal claim against their employer, in order to pursue financial compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages associated with their wrongful termination. If you believe you have been the victim of wrongful termination, your first course of action should be to contact an experienced attorney to determine whether your employer has violated any laws by terminating your employment. There is a statute of limitations for wrongful termination claims in Ohio, so it is in your best interest to discuss your claim with a knowledgeable wrongful termination lawyer as soon as possible.
