Can You Sue for Wrongful Termination in Ohio?

At Coffman Legal, we specialize in employment law, and our team is dedicated to providing you with unwavering support throughout each step of your legal journey, no matter the case at hand.

So, if you feel that you’ve been unreasonably fired or laid off from your position and want to learn about suing for wrongful termination, read on to discover key steps and how our team of experienced employment lawyers can help.

An Overview of Wrongful Termination in Ohio

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired or laid off for an illegal reason. This can often fall under being let go or fired in a way that violates an employment contract, is retaliatory, is discriminatory, or when other unlawful actions are taken.

In the state of Ohio, employers have broad discretion over their firing and hiring decisions. Ohio is an at-will employment state, meaning that a company or organization can let go of an employee for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it’s not illegal or in breach of “a written employment agreement or a collective bargaining agreement.”

For example, an employer can terminate an employee based on a lack of good performance, but they cannot terminate someone because of their disability or age, among other reasons. But should an employee suspect that they have been wrongfully terminated, they may have grounds to pursue legal action.

Can You Sue for Wrongful Termination in Ohio?

The all-encompassing answer to this question is yes. You can sue for wrongful termination in Ohio, but wrongful termination must be alleged in an underlying legal claim, such as one relating to discrimination, retaliation, or some other unlawful reason.

What Can Qualify as Wrongful Termination?

As previously mentioned, Ohio is an at-will employment state so not every reason that an employee may be terminated will qualify for a claim of unlawful termination. The following are common reasons often associated with the wrongful termination of an employee:

• Discrimination – This occurs when an employer fires an individual based on gender, race, age, disability, nationality, pregnancy, or other characteristics that are protected by Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and other federal and state laws.
• Retaliation – This occurs when an employer fires an employee who has taken part in protected activities like complaining about or reporting discrimination or harassment, whistleblowing, or filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Additionally, other things that may allow you to sue your employer for being fired without warning include a violation of public policies, as well as any breach of contract.

If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, consider speaking with a wrongful termination attorney as soon as you’re able to. They can help answer any questions you have as well as assist you with determining if your termination was unlawful.

Additional FAQs About Suing for Wrongful Termination

Conclusion and Next Steps: What Else Should I Do Following a Wrongful Termination?

As previously mentioned, speaking with a wrongful termination attorney can be beneficial immediately after being fired. The wrongful termination lawyers at Coffman Legal, LLC can provide legal advice and take a closer look at your case to help determine if what occurred is a case of wrongful termination before moving forward.

Other steps to take following a wrongful termination include:

• Writing out your version of events so that you have as many details as possible regarding the lead-up to the termination and the direct aftermath
• Collecting all forms of communication that are relevant to your termination, including sticky notes, direct messages, emails, and more
• Checking for unemployment benefits and considering whistleblower protections if applicable to your termination

Keep in mind that things like evidence and your version of events should be kept at home or on non-work-related computers.

Chat with a Wrongful Termination Attorney

If you believe you have been unlawfully fired from your job, you should consult with the wrongful termination attorneys at Coffman Legal, LLC. With experience handling many wrongful termination claims, our team can offer legal consultation on your individual situation and work to determine the best approach moving forward.

We take an aggressive approach to each case as they come to us with the intent to fight for your rights as an employee. Feel free to reach out to us over the phone at 614-949-1181 or online through our contact form.