When it comes to workplace retaliation settlements in Ohio, a burning question you may have as a victim of retaliation in the workplace is how much you may see if you have a successful case on your hands.
Below, we are going to take a brief look at what exactly a workplace retaliation lawsuit settlement can cover and some steps you can take to build your case following retaliation.
Disclaimer: The following is not legal advice. It is general information. For legal advice and assistance, reach out to our workplace retaliation lawyers at Coffman Legal, LLC.
How Much Settlement for Retaliation in The Workplace?
When it comes to workplace retaliation lawsuit settlements, we cannot unfortunately share an exact number or range. Because each case is going to be different based on individual circumstances and the parties involved, the potential amount of a settlement can vary greatly.
Keep in mind that before you can pursue a lawsuit in court, you do have to file a charge with the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They handle a range of different charges including workplace retaliation. Once they have investigated your charge, you will be sent a right to sue letter.
You can also request a right to sue letter before the investigation is completed if 180 days have passed. This letter is what gives you the right to sue.
What Damages Can Be Included in a Settlement?
While we cannot provide a specific range or number of the potential settlement amount you might expect, we can look at what sort of damages might be factored into a workplace retaliation settlement.
Damages are what you will be seeking should you move forward with a lawsuit against your employer. Some of these damages will include:
- Lost Benefits: In some cases, job benefits might be lost due to retaliatory actions. You might see a total loss of benefits or a major cut in your access to benefits. These benefits can include health insurance and bonuses. These can be backdated to cover the time period you lost them for.
- Lost Wages: Should you be fired or demoted in retaliation, you might incur lost wages or pay. You can typically expect to recover the lost income you have suffered if you have been demoted or fired illegally. In some cases, you might also be able to recover lost wages that you will lose in the future if you are not placed back to your position.
- Pain and Suffering: This type of damage can be asked for to cover any kind of pain and suffering such as reputation harm, negative emotions, and associated distress. As described by Cornell Law, pain and suffering are non-economic damage.
- Punitive Damages: These damages are meant to discourage your employer from taking similar actions again. Punitive damages are not always included in a settlement, but they may be added on in certain cases.
Your attorney fees and litigations costs/expenses will also typically be included in your overall workplace retaliation settlement amount as they are recoverable under the applicable statutes.
What Can I Do to Help Build My Case for Workplace Retaliation Settlements in Ohio?
If you believe that you have been fired out of retaliation, there are some steps you can take to start building your case.
- Gather all of the evidence you can. This can include keeping copies of emails, text messages, physical notes from the workplace, photos, and other communication and documents.
- Keep track of any other kind of information such as work evaluations, your workplace policies, and the retaliatory action itself.
- Speak with an employment retaliation lawyer. They can offer guidance and help you meet relevant deadlines tied to your case.
For more information about retaliation in the workplace, see our page here.
Speak With a Top-Rated Employment Lawyer Today
At Coffman Legal, LLC, our team of experienced employment retaliation lawyers is here to fight for your rights as an individual and employee. We take on most types of employment disputes, including cases where retaliation has been taken against an employee – whether said relation stems from discrimination, whistleblowing actions, or filing a complaint related to the workplace.
Our employment lawyers are available for a free initial consultation. We will be able to further understand your individual situation and we can then let you know if we think you have a case.
To speak with a member of our team, you can call us at 614-949-1181 or contact us online.
