Cincinnati Wrongful Termination Attorneys

Proudly Serving Clients throughout Ohio

Wrongful termination can be an emotionally and financially devastating event for any loyal, hardworking employee. Fortunately, Ohio employment laws protect workers from being unjustly fired on the basis of discrimination or retaliation.

The Cincinnati wrongful termination attorneys at Freking Myers & Reul, LLC are here to help you file a claim and stand up for your legal rights. You may have the right to recover financial damages in a wrongful termination claim against an employer who violated state law. Compensation may include punitive damages, equitable back pay, attorneys’ fees, and more.

Wrongful termination claims can be quite challenging to prove because Ohio is an “at-will” employment state. However, there is hope for employees who have been the victim of an employer’s illegal actions. The following information is intended to help you better understand your rights and options.

Is Ohio An At-Will State?

Employment in Ohio is considered to be on an “at-will basis.” This means an employer or employee may terminate the relationship:

• At any time (without having to give to notice)
• Without providing cause
• Without reason

Exceptions may apply in cases where a contract exists between you and your former employer. For instance, an employer cannot terminate an employee based on discriminatory reasons, such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability. Wrongful termination can also occur if an employee is fired for exercising their legal rights, such as whistleblowing. A lawyer can determine the scope of such a contract and determine your legal options.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Termination in Ohio?

Despite Ohio’s “at-will employment” doctrine, employers must adhere to certain state standards. Your employer may be guilty of wrongful termination if they violated a federal or state employment law.

Illegal reasons for terminating an employee include:

• Firing someone based on gender, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, etc.
• Firing injured workers who file for medical compensation and other benefits.
• Firing employees who act in a “whistleblower” capacity.
• Firing an employee as retaliation against them for going on leave of absence for the birth of a child or for a family medical emergency.

A lawyer can assess the circumstances of your case to determine if you have cause to file suit.

Can I Sue My Boss for Treating Me Unfairly?

You may not recover damages in a wrongful termination claim based on an “unfair” or “unjust” firing. The dismissal must be considered illegal in order for you to pursue damages in a civil action.

For instance, you cannot sue your boss based on his or her having fired you because your salary allegedly was too high. While this could be considered an unfair cause for dismissal, it does not—in and of itself—represent a violation of the law. Ohio’s status as an “employment-at-will” state requires you to prove your employer violated a state employment law.

What Compensation can You Get for Wrongful Termination?

If you’ve been wrongfully terminated you may be entitled to compensation. The compensations aren’t meant to cover the ways you have suffered due to the termination:

• Equitable back/forward pay
• Punitive damages
• Reinstatement at the position
• Compensatory damages
• Legal fees

What Evidence Is Necessary to Prove a Wrongful Termination?

Your claim must prove your former employer violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws or that your dismissal was an act of retaliation. For example, you may need to prove your employer had a history of firing minority employees for being late to work while failing to punish white employees for the same infraction.

Potential evidence in your claim may include:

• Emailed communications
• Witness statements
• Employment records/history

You will be unable to recover compensation without providing sufficient evidence of your employer’s motives for dismissing you from your job. Our legal team can help you identify and collect evidence that will back up your claim.

Read on to learn more or contact our firm now to book your initial case review.