Wrongful Termination Attorney Columbus, Ohio

The term “wrongful termination” can be confusing and is often misunderstood. Our Columbus wrongful termination lawyers will explain what the term means and how to recognize whether you have a claim for wrongful termination or wrongful discharge in Ohio.

Do you think you need a Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Columbus Ohio?

“Wrongful termination” occurs when an employee is fired for unlawful reasons. In Ohio, your employment is considered “at-will.”  “At-will” employment means an employer can fire, discipline, or demote an employee at any time, for any reason, at any time, including a bad or unfair reason or even no reason at all, as long as the reason for doing so is not illegal.  For instance, if you are fired for having a personality conflict with a manager or co-worker, your termination may be perfectly legal. The key to unlawful termination is that the underlying reason for termination must be illegal, not just unfair.

The only employees who are not considered “at-will” employees are certain government employees, those who have employment contracts, or those union employees who are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. However, at-will employees are protected from wrongful termination and cannot be fired for reasons that violate the law or public policy.

What Makes a Termination Wrongful?

In order for a termination to be wrongful, the reasons for the termination must be illegal or violate public policy. Therefore, there are many reasons a termination could be considered wrongful. If you are fired for complaining about discrimination, your termination could be wrongful. If you are discriminated against and fired because of a disability or because you requested a reasonable accommodation for that disability, your termination could be wrongful. If you asked questions about failure to pay overtime and you were fired shortly after, your termination could be wrongful. If you were sexually harassed at work, filed a complaint and were fired, your termination could be wrongful. For more helpful information on whether you need a lawyer for wrongful termination in Columbus, Ohio, visit our blog: Do I Need an Wrongful Termination Lawyer?.

What Should I Do if I Believe I Was Wrongfully Terminated?

If you believe you were terminated for illegal reasons or reasons that violate public policy, contact us today. A specific statute of limitations applies to each case so it is important to act as soon as possible and consult with a Columbus wrongful termination lawyer so you do not miss any deadlines. ACT NOW. If you speak with our wrongful termination attorneys and we believe your termination was unlawful, we can file a lawsuit against your former employer, requesting damages that may include lost wages, front wages, emotional distress, liquidated damages and punitive damages.

Contact our top rated wrongful termination attorney in Columbus, Ohio today.

If you have been terminated for unlawful reasons, you will need an experienced, aggressive, Columbus Ohio wrongful termination lawyer to take your case. The attorneys at The Friedmann Firm never back down and will fight for you. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances surrounding your termination.

 

How to Choose the Right Wrongful Termination Attorney

If you suspect your employer in Ohio fired you for a discriminatory reason or as retaliation for reporting problems, you should contact a Columbus wrongful termination attorney to discuss your legal options. But how can you know whether an employment lawyer will fight for your rights and work to hold your former employer accountable?

Do Online Research and Check Out Rankings

If you have no idea how to find an employee rights attorney who handles wrongful termination cases in Columbus, Ohio, start your search with Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Type in the relevant terms and click through the results.

You can also benefit from looking at attorney ranking sites like U.S. News-Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and Superlawyers. The information on these sites will give you a sense of how other lawyers and previous clients view the quality of the firms and attorneys you are thinking of hiring.

Pinpoint Relevant Experience

Narrow your Columbus wrongful termination candidates down to 2-4 finalists, then spend time going through each finalists’ website. The most important thing to look for is experience handling cases like yours. If a site does not include a section for case results, skim attorney profiles and look for articles or blog posts that address your situation.

Meet With Your Lawyer Before Hiring Them

When you get a good impression, schedule a consultation. Many attorneys will meet or talk to potential clients for free, so take advantage of that service.

Treat the first meeting very much like a job interview. Go in with questions about the attorney’s experience, the strategy and tactics the attorney might use when working your case, and how much you might spend.

In addition to listening for knowledge and insight, pay attention to how the attorney communicates. You need a lawyer who can explain complex legal concepts clearly and accurately. You also want one who takes your concerns seriously, one who treats you with respect, and one who does not guarantee results. Ethical attorneys pledge to do their best for clients and stick to that commitment. They do not make promises they may not be able to keep.  An attorney should not promise you a certain dollar amount.

Demand Responsiveness

As the client, you have the right to expect that your Columbus wrongful termination lawyer will treat your case as a priority. This means you should expect to receive timely responses to emails and voicemail messages. You should also expect your lawyer to keep scheduled meetings, to ask for your decisions on major case-related matters, and to carry out your instructions. If the first lawyer you hire does not meet these reasonable expectations, you can fire that person and get a new attorney.

At The Friedmann Firm, we welcome opportunities to help victims of wrongful termination. Let us know how we can be of service by calling 614.610.9755 or requesting an appointment with one of our Columbus-based employee rights attorneys by completing this online contact form. The first consultation will be kept completely confidential and cost you nothing.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

FREE CONSULTATION