Wrongful Termination Lawyer Columbus Ohio
Helping Employees Fight Back
What is wrongful termination?
While many terminations feel unfair, not all are unlawful. However, wrongful termination is illegal and occurs when an employer fires an employee for an improper or unlawful reason. To be “wrongful,” a dismissal must violate a federal or Ohio employment law, public policy, or signed contract.
Examples of wrongful termination include being fired by your place of employment because of membership in a protected class (age, gender, race, disability, etc.), for taking legally protected leave, for engaging in a protected activity, or in retaliation for reporting workplace harassment or illegal behaviors, including discrimination, wage theft, and unpaid overtime.
At Willis Spangler Associates, our employment law attorneys bring decades of combined experience in wrongful dismissals, discrimination, and harassment, and have built a reputation for advocating on behalf of employees in Columbus and throughout Ohio.
How termination laws differ in Ohio
Like most states, Ohio follows the at-will employment doctrine. This employment doctrine means that places of employment in Columbus and across Ohio can typically terminate employees at any time and for almost any reason or for no reason at all. However, these reasons cannot violate federal employment laws, Ohio statutes, or public policies that would prohibit a termination in certain circumstances. Therefore, Ohio employees are protected under state employment laws such as the Ohio Civil Rights Act, and federal employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, terminations in Ohio must comply with public employment policies. This protects employees from being fired for reporting workplace safety violations, refusing to participate in illegal activity, or for seeking legal counsel.
An experienced attorney can help Columbus and Ohio workers navigate these complex and intersecting employment laws, build a strong case, and ensure you meet the state’s unique standards and deadlines.
Age Discrimination and Other Types of Wrongful Dismissal
Some of the most common examples of wrongful termination involve discrimination or harassment, including age discrimination and disability discrimination. Both state and federal employment law prohibit employers from firing employees based on protected classes, including:
Sex, gender, or pregnancy status
Military status
Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, and Whistleblowing Termination
Retaliation occurs when a place of employment punishes employees, often by terminating or demoting them, for engaging in a legally protected activity. Protected activities include reporting discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and illegal or unsafe employment practices, filing a workers’ compensation claim, requesting reasonable accommodations, or taking FMLA or medical leave.
Furthermore, whistleblower termination is a specific form of retaliation that occurs when employees are fired by their place of employment for reporting unlawful conduct, fraud, or regulatory violations, such as wage theft and unpaid overtime. While Ohio employment law provides protections for some whistleblowers, strict requirements often apply.
If you believe you were a victim of retaliation termination, contact an employment attorney at Willis Spangler Associates in Columbus today. Our lawyers can assess your situation, explain your options, and provide you with the best path forward.
Best steps to take if you have been wrongfully terminated
If your place of employment has wrongfully terminated you and you would like to pursue legal action, it is imperative to collect documentation. This includes emails, performance reviews, texts, pay stubs or wage statements, proof of overtime hours worked, and termination paperwork from your place of employment. Write down any important conversations surrounding your termination or discrimination, taking note of the date, time, and people involved.
If possible, also request a written explanation of your termination from your employer, outlining the exact reason(s) why you have been dismissed. Employers may inadvertently admit to a wrongful dismissal or discrimination, or at least provide conflicting statements. Either way, our Columbus attorneys can use their reasons later on as evidence for your employment claim. Additionally, avoid signing any severance agreements right away or without consulting an employment attorney, as they often limit your ability to file a legal claim later on.
If you decide to take legal action against your discrimination, harassment, or wrongful dismissal, you must do so before Ohio’s deadline for filing. These deadlines vary depending on the type of wrongful termination and your specific claim, which is why consulting an experienced employment attorney right here in Columbus can be especially beneficial during this process.
How an Attorney Can Help
Our attorneys at Willis Spangler Associates are educated and experienced in both federal and Ohio employment law. Our trusted Columbus law firm will evaluate your situation, outline your legal options, and take the necessary steps to obtain the outcome you deserve. Furthermore, our attorneys will handle all communications with your former place of employment, help you gather any critical evidence, file claims with the appropriate agencies, negotiate settlement agreements, and, if necessary, pursue litigation on your behalf. Our client-centered approach ensures you and your well-being remain our top priority, and our employment lawyers are committed to helping every client in Columbus and throughout Ohio move forward with confidence and optimism.
In addition, our employment attorneys will not only seek compensation following dismissal or discrimination, but also demand that your former place of employment correct your work record by removing “termination,” as well as provide you with neutral references when applying for a new job.
What to expect during the legal process
The employment law legal process can vary significantly depending on many factors, including the reason for termination and any types of discrimination or harassment involved. However, at Willis Spangler Associates, in Columbus, Ohio, it always begins with a complimentary consultation with an employment attorney. From there, our team of attorneys will investigate your claim, help you collect evidence, file charges, negotiate a settlement, and take any necessary legal actions we believe would best serve you. Throughout the process, our attorneys will communicate each step, estimated timelines, and potential outcomes, ensuring that our clients have a clear understanding of their employment cases.
Contact our Columbus attorneys today!
Whether you know you have been wrongfully terminated, are unsure if you have an employment case, or just have questions about the legal process, our trusted law firm is here to help. At Willis Spangler Associates, our attorneys are known in Columbus and throughout Ohio for their experience, dedication, and genuine empathy.
Contact our Columbus lawyers today to schedule a complimentary consultation and find out more about your legal options. Our attorneys believe everyone’s story deserves to be heard, and yours is no exception.
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