Employee Benefit Lawyer Columbus, OH
A Columbus, OH employee benefit lawyer you can rely on understands that when you accept a position at a company you are likely expecting to go in, give it your best, and come home at the end of the day. It’s true that like most states, Ohio is considered an at-will employment state. Does that mean that your boss can fire you for no reason whatsoever though? Not necessarily. While it may feel like your employer has all of the power in this situation, the team at Brenner Law Offices knows that they cannot fire you for unlawful reasons. If your employer has recently fired you and you believe that they have done so for unlawful reasons, you should not sit back and accept this. Instead, give our office a call to see how we will fight for you.
What does it mean for an employer to wrongfully terminate someone?
This can sometimes feel like a gray area because one person may feel that they have been wronged or that their employer did not have the right to terminate them when in fact it was still legal for their employer to do so. However, an employer wrongfully terminates an employee when the termination is due to things like retaliation or discrimination. A Columbus employee benefit lawyer knows that this can sometimes be difficult to prove, especially if you do not have a paper trail.
Termination Because of Retaliation
Retaliation is not uncommon. Your employer may fire you because you:
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Wanted to get paid fair wages or you worked overtime and asked for overtime pay
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Asked for an accommodation due to a religious practice or a disability you have
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Reported violations occurring in the workplace
These are just a few of the things that can cause an employer to try to retaliate against you in the form of firing you. There are some things that your employer may have done that made it obvious this was coming. You may be able to gather evidence for this if you have a promotion or raise denials, sudden, low-performance evaluations, or if your employer is becoming increasingly critical of your job performance.
Termination Because of Discrimination
One of the most common types of wrongful termination happens due to discrimination. Discrimination rears its ugly head in many forms, including:
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Sex
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Religion
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Sexual preference
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Race
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Nationality
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Disability
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Age
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Military status
If you believe that your employer fired you based on any of these things, it is crucial that you seek help from a lawyer as soon as possible to begin working on your case.
What can I do?
Employees at a company deserve the same respect and benefits and if you believe you were recently fired for unlawful reasons, you have the right to speak with a lawyer and see how you can formulate a case against them. When you are ready, reach out to Brenner Law Offices to see how we can help. Our Columbus employee benefit lawyer is ready to hear your case.
Common Types Of Employee Benefits
Your Columbus employee benefit lawyer can help you protect your rights and ensure you’re getting the most out of your employment. At Brenner Law Offices, we have over 25 years of experience helping our customers, and we know it all starts with staying informed. Read on to see some common types of employee benefits.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is one of the most sought-after employee benefits. This benefit not only supports the health and wellness of employees but also offers peace of mind that they and their families can receive medical care without facing financial hardship. Employers may offer different types of health plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and high-deductible health plans, often sharing the cost of premiums with their employees. Your employee benefit lawyer can also help you understand all the plans available to you.
Retirement Plans
Another pivotal benefit is the retirement plan, which helps employees prepare for their future financial stability. The most common type of retirement plan is the 401(k), to which both employees and employers can contribute. Other retirement plans may include pensions or profit-sharing plans, depending on the company’s structure and goals.
Paid Time Off
Paid time off (PTO) is a versatile benefit that employees value highly. It combines vacation, sick leave, and personal time into a single bank of days that employees can use at their discretion. This benefit allows employees the flexibility to manage their time off without having to specify the reason, thereby respecting their privacy and promoting a work-life balance.
Family And Parental Leave
Supporting employees through major life events such as the birth or adoption of a child is crucial. In the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates unpaid leave, but many employers choose to offer paid leave as an additional benefit to support their staff during these significant life changes.
Professional Development Opportunities
Investing in employees’ professional growth is beneficial not just for the employees but for the organization as well. Benefits such as tuition assistance, access to training programs, and funding for professional certifications empower employees to advance their skills and knowledge. This, in turn, contributes to the company’s development as employees bring new skills and ideas into their roles.
Wellness Programs
Wellness programs are increasingly popular as companies recognize the importance of supporting employee health beyond traditional medical care. These programs may include gym memberships, wellness challenges, mental health counseling, and more. By promoting a healthy lifestyle, employers can decrease absenteeism and increase productivity while enhancing the overall workplace environment.
How Brenner Law Offices Can Help
Understanding the scope and legality of employee benefits can sometimes be overwhelming for both employers and employees. We at Brenner Law Offices are here to assist employees who may face issues with their benefits packages or have concerns about their rights.
If you require assistance with any aspect of employee benefits, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to providing clear, effective legal guidance to ensure that your benefits strategies are implemented smoothly and lawfully. Contact our team today to learn how we can support your employment benefit needs, and get in touch with an employee benefit lawyer from our office as soon as possible.
Types Of Employee Benefit Cases We Handle
Many employees depend on workplace benefits such as health coverage, disability plans, and retirement programs. When a claim is denied, your Columbus, OH employee benefit lawyer can step in to help. At Brenner Law Offices, we’re ready to provide you with award-winning representation. Read on to see the types of employee benefit cases we handle, and contact us today to get started on your case.
Long Term Disability Benefit Disputes
Long term disability plans provide income when a person cannot work due to a serious medical condition. Disputes often arise when a claim is denied or when payments stop even though the person still cannot return to work.
Short Term Disability Benefit Claims
Short term disability coverage is meant to replace part of a worker’s income during a temporary medical leave. As your employee benefit claim lawyer can explain, problems can occur if the claim is denied, delayed, or terminated before the employee has recovered.
Health Benefit Claim Denials
Health plans sometimes refuse to cover certain treatments, medications, or procedures. Your Columbus employee benefit lawyer can review medical records and plan language to determine whether the denial was proper.
Life Insurance Benefit Disputes
Life insurance provided through an employer may be denied after a policyholder’s death. Family members may face challenges if the insurer disputes coverage, questions the cause of death, or claims that paperwork was incomplete.
Retirement Benefit Disputes
Employer retirement plans such as pensions and 401(k) programs must follow specific rules. Disputes may arise when an employee believes benefits were miscalculated, withheld, or improperly distributed.
ERISA Claim Appeals
Many employee benefit plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, also known as ERISA. These cases often involve filing a formal appeal after a benefit claim has been denied and preparing a record that may later be reviewed in court.
Denied Medical Leave Benefits
Some benefit programs provide pay or other support during approved medical leave. Conflicts can occur if an employer or plan administrator denies benefits that a worker believes should apply to their situation.
Wrongful Termination Of Benefits
In some cases, benefits are stopped without a clear reason or before the terms of the plan allow it. This may involve disability payments, health coverage, or other benefits tied to employment. Your workplace benefits dispute lawyer can walk you through your next steps.
Failure To Provide Plan Information
Employees have the right to review certain documents related to their benefit plans. Disputes may arise if a plan administrator refuses to provide information about coverage, claim decisions, or plan rules. All the more reason to contact a benefit dispute attorney you can trust.
Get In Touch With Us Today
Employee benefits play a major role in financial stability during illness, injury, or retirement. When a claim is denied or payments stop, it can create uncertainty about what comes next. Our team works with individuals who need help challenging benefit decisions and seeking the coverage they were promised through their employment.
Brenner Law Offices earned recognition from the National Law Journal for our dedicated service to our clients. We also have over 30 years of experience. Now, we’re ready to help you. Contact us today, and see what a Columbus employee benefit lawyer from our team can do for you.