COLUMBUS OHIO BACKGROUND CHECK ATTORNEYS (FCRA)

Our Ohio Background Check Lawyers Will Protect Your Rights Related to Background Checks

Our office understands that the thought of having your employer or prospective employer run a background check on you can be nerve-racking because oftentimes our credit reports may have mistakes or inaccuracies in them. Because of the prevalence of mistakes contained in credit reports, employees and prospective employees have rights if an employer or prospective employer is going to use background checks when making employment decisions.

At Coffman Legal, our Columbus Ohio background check attorneys are strong and experienced advocates for employee rights. If you have any questions about your rights, or if you believe that your rights were violated during an employer-conducted background check, we are here to help. For a free, strictly confidential initial consultation with experienced Ohio FCRA lawyers, contact our Columbus law office today.

Ohio Background Checks Laws

Many employers in Ohio rely on background checks when hiring employees. Indeed, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners, as much as 95% of companies nationwide report that they run at least one type of background screening on job applicants. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), there are strict requirements for employers that decide they will obtain a background check (also known as consumer reports). When an employer uses a consumer reporting agency to compile credit reports or criminal background reports, the employer must follow these guidelines in order:

1. Disclose to you that a consumer report is being requested for employment purposes;
2. Obtain authorization from you to obtain the consumer report;
3. Provide a copy of the consumer report and a copy of the Summary of your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act before making any employment decisions, such as whether to hire, retain, or promote based on the background check; and
4. Notify the applicant or employee of any decision based on the background check and make other disclosures regarding from which consumer reporting agency it obtained the background check.

Employers making employment decisions based upon background checks must take all the steps listed above. Unfortunately, employers do not always abide by these regulations. When companies violate their duties under Ohio law or federal law, they should be held accountable. Failure to take any of the above steps is a violation of the FCRA. If your employer or prospective employer has not fulfilled these requirements, you should contact our Columbus Ohio background check lawyers.

What Remedies are Available Through an FCRA Claim?

If your rights were violated under the FCRA, you should take action to protect your interests. Under the law, you may be eligible to obtain financial relief. Our Columbus Ohio background check attorneys will put you in the best position to maximize your recovery. Some of the specific remedies that are available to applicants and employees whose rights were violated in the background check process include:

• Actual economic damages, including lost wages and loss of benefits;
• Statutory damages, up to $1,000 per FCRA violation;
• Attorneys’ fees and legal costs; and
• Punitive damages.

In many cases, FCRA claims are brought as class action lawsuits. When employers violate the rights of an applicant or employee with a background check, they frequently do it to an entire class of job candidates or employees. If you or your loved one is considering filing a class action FCRA claim, reach out to our Ohio background check attorneys for help.

How Our Ohio Background Check Attorneys Can Help

Matthew J.P. Coffman is an experienced employee background check attorney and a passionate and tireless advocate for worker rights. Our law firm is proud to provide affordable, sophisticated, high-quality legal guidance to clients. If your background check rights were violated under state or federal law, you need to take immediate action. Among other things, our Columbus Ohio FCRA background check lawyers are prepared to:

• Conduct a free, comprehensive evaluation of your situation;
• Explain your rights and options to you under the FCRA; and
• Prepare a strong and compelling legal claim to maximize your recovery.

Every FCRA claim is different. We are committed to providing fully personalized legal representation to workers in Ohio. If you were denied a job because of a background check and you believe your rights were violated, our Ohio background check lawyers are ready to take action on your behalf.

Get Help from Our Columbus Ohio Background Check Attorneys Right Away

At Coffman Legal, our top-rated Columbus Ohio background check lawyers have extensive experience handling background checks and FCRA cases. We understand that the information above may be confusing or you may have unanswered questions about whether your employer or prospective employer violated your rights when it ran a background check.

If you have any questions or concerns about background checks or your rights under the FCRA, contact our legal team at 614-949-1181 for a free, confidential consultation. Our Ohio background check attorneys represent employees throughout Ohio with FCRA background check issues. We look forward to the opportunity to help you.