Cincinnati Wrongful Termination Attorneys
Comprehensive Legal Support for Clients Across 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 Is Considered 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.
A Down to Earth Approach
Our CLients Share THeir Experiences
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“Erin Heidrich was absolutely fantastic for us. She was kind, smart, and professional. Communication was great with her and she made us feel good about the likely outcome of the process we were going through. We would use her again for sure.”- Matthew M.
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“When I was wrongfully terminated by my previous employer there was not a question of who I needed to contact to get the help I needed. The team of Katherine Neff and Randy Freking was amazing and Katherine is a shark! Katherine was by my side to win an unemployment appeal, and in the end, I got exactly what I asked for and needed. I can not say enough about this firm but if you need help give them a call.”- Mike M.
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“Our experience with FMR has been very positive. I particularly appreciated the clear communication regarding the consultation fee to review the situation and determine realistic next steps. Navigating the user-friendly website, completing the initial questionnaire, receiving a prompt response, and meeting with an attorney all helped us understand the possibilities in a way we could comprehend. The initial support team was accommodating and professional. Jon Allison was patient, respectful, and fully present during the review. His expertise and ability to sift through details, listen compassionately and outline options was reassuring. The objective was to reach a mutually agreeable plan of action and we did. Highly recommend!”- Sandy D.
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“Our experience with this firm has been very positive. I particularly appreciated the clear communication regarding the consultation fee to review the situation and determine realistic next steps. Navigating the user-friendly website, completing the initial questionnaire, receiving a prompt response, and meeting with an attorney all helped us understand the possibilities in a way we could comprehend. The initial support team was accommodating and professional. Jon Allison was patient, respectful, and fully present during the review. His expertise and ability to sift through details, listen compassionately and outline options was reassuring. The objective was to reach a mutually agreeable plan of action and we did. Highly recommend!”- SP D.
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“Finding yourself on the receiving end of wrongdoing can be a difficult and daunting experience. And sometimes in order to make things right, you need professional help. Our family was very fortunate to find Mark Napier and his wonderful staff. He reviewed our situation thoroughly and counseled and advised us every step of the way. Not only were he and his staff personable and approachable, but they were also very comforting and assuring during a very difficult and stressful time. Mark Napier rectified a situation for us that we could not have managed on our own. Our many many thanks and appreciation to Mark Napier and his staff. Highly recommended!”- Jim S.
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“Would strongly recommend Ms. Erin Heidrich to any family who needs an education lawyer. Ms. Heidrich is the 3rd lawyer whom I ever retained in the past 5 years and the 10th with whom I talked. Just want to say that I would retain Ms. Heidrich without any hesitation if we ever needed an education lawyer again. She is truly effective, professional, and valuable. Other members of FMR are also effective and friendly.”- Jin Z.
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“I chose the firm based on its reputation and I was not disappointed. I worked with Kelly Myers and she was easy to work with and made the process simple to understand. She represented me in a way that I needed and in the end she was able to improve my outcome. So glad I used her! Highly recommend.”- Mark S.
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“She took the time to understand my needs, explain to me in simple terms what the legal implications were and to follow up with me through resolution in a timely manner. Her staff was always very responsive and helpful. Kelly was able to convey empathy which helped to build trust and make working together seamless.”- Kim B.
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“We wanted to share our experience with this law firm, as it was very positive from start to finish. My wife and I are in our 60's and were in a serious auto accident in which we were both injured. We were being pressured by the other parties insurance company to settle and did not know what we should do. We contacted Austin LiPuma who is a managing partner with the firm who helped us with the entire process. His communication was excellent keeping us informed every step of the way, presenting us with updates on our case, while allowing us to make the final decisions that we felt were best for us. Austin handled everything from dealing with the insurance companies to making sure that medical bills were being paid. In the end, he managed to get us a much better settlement than we expected.”- Kathy and Joe
