Columbus Breach Of Contract Attorneys

Last updated on October 9, 2026

Contracts are often required in the business relationship between an employer and employee. When two parties sign a contract, they agree to all the terms outlined in the contract. Whether you are an employee or employer, when you sign this contract, you agree to follow it and fulfill all your responsibilities.

At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC in Columbus, our labor and employment attorneys have decades of combined experience. Our firm is dedicated to representing Ohio employees and protecting their rights. If you need guidance before you sign a contract with your employer or are in a contract dispute with your employer over your employment agreement, we can help.

What Counts As An Employment Contract In Ohio?

Not every employment contract looks the same. Ohio law recognizes three types of enforceable employment agreements:

• Written agreements: A formal, signed document that outlines the specific terms of your employment, including salary, benefits and job duties.
• Oral contracts: A spoken promise or verbal agreement between you and your employer that Ohio law may treat as legally binding.
• Implied contracts: Employment arrangements where an employee handbook, offer letter or consistent employer conduct creates enforceable promises about your job.

You do not need a formal signed contract to have legal rights as an employee. Certain employer actions or written policies may create enforceable obligations without you even realizing it. Our attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, can review your situation and determine whether a valid contract exists. You may have more legal protection than you think.

What Do You Have to Prove In a Breach of Contract Case in Ohio?

A breach of contract occurs whenever a party to a legally binding agreement fails to satisfy one of the terms of their contract without a legal reason to do so. If your employer broke the terms of a contract, you must prove several key elements to win a breach of contract case in Ohio. These include:

• A contract existed: You must show there was a valid, legally enforceable agreement between you and your employer. This might be a written document, like an employment agreement, or sometimes even an oral agreement or a company handbook that creates implied promises.
• The contract was breached: You must demonstrate that a party failed to perform a specific promise or obligation outlined in that contract. For instance, your employer might have failed to pay a promised bonus or terminated you without following the required procedures.
• You suffered damages as a result of the breach: Finally, you must show that your employer’s failure to uphold the contract caused you financial loss, such as lost wages or benefits.

We focus exclusively on employment and civil rights law. Therefore, we understand the specific contract laws that apply to employment agreements in Ohio. If your employer breached your employment agreement, we will carefully review your documents and build a clear case showing your employer failed to meet their obligations. If you have been accused of breaching your employment agreement, we can represent you.

What Are Examples of Common Breaches of Employment Contracts and Agreements?

Contracts are often required in an employment situation. A contract may outline various aspects of employment, such as salary, job description, benefits and time away from work. It may also include a noncompete clause or nondisclosure clause.

Here are some common ways employers breach employment contracts and agreements:

• Failing to pay promised compensation: An employer does not pay bonuses, commissions or raises that were guaranteed in the written agreement. This can also be the basis for a wage and hour claim.
• Wrongful termination outside of the “at-will” standard: An employer wrongfully terminates you without the “just cause” or specific process required by your contract.
• Violating severance agreement terms: An employer does not pay the agreed-upon severance amount or fails to provide promised benefits after your departure.
• Ignoring noncompete or nonsolicitation clauses: An employer fails to pay the required compensation in exchange for enforcing a noncompete agreement.

When your employer ignores its commitments, we can step in. We will review the details of your agreement to determine if a breach occurred and then aggressively pursue the remedies available to you under Ohio law. An employer might also accuse you of violating a noncompete or nondisclosure agreement. If this happens, our experienced labor and employment law attorneys can defend your interests.

What Should You Do if You Think Your Employer Breached Your Agreement?

When a breach occurs, there are some steps you should take before pursuing legal action. First, double-check the terms of your agreement. Look closely at the terms upon which both you and your employer signed and agreed.

If you think there is a breach, discuss the issue with your employer. In some cases, breaches are unintentional. Your employer might not be unaware that anything even happened. It might be possible to resolve the issue on your own.

If not, your next step is to follow any steps outlined in the agreement. For example, you may be ordered to resolve your issue through mediation or arbitration. If your issue still cannot be resolved, you may need to take legal action against your employer.

How Long Do You Have To File A Breach Of Contract Claim In Ohio?

Ohio law sets a six-year statute of limitations for written employment contract claims. This deadline starts on the date your employer broke the terms of your agreement. Missing this window may permanently bar your right to take legal action. Acting quickly gives us the best opportunity to evaluate your case and protect your interests.

Oral employment contracts carry a shorter filing deadline. Ohio law gives you four years to file a claim based on a verbal employment agreement. This timeframe also begins on the date the breach occurred. Regardless of whether your contract was written or spoken, we strongly encourage you to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Can You Sue Your Employer For Breach Of Contract If You Are An At-Will Employee?

Yes, you may still have a valid breach of contract claim even as an at-will employee. Ohio is an at-will employment state, which means your employer can generally end your employment at any time without a specific reason.

However, at-will status can be modified by contractual rights you may have. If your employer made specific promises through an offer letter, an employee handbook or a verbal agreement, those promises may still carry legal weight. Breaking those promises may qualify as a breach of contract, regardless of your at-will status.

Our Columbus employment attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, can review your situation and help you understand what legal options Ohio law may provide.

What Are the Possible Remedies for a Breach of Contract Claim?

If your employer breached your contract, we can fight to recover various remedies to compensate you for your loss. The goal is to compensate you for the financial harm you experienced. Possible remedies for a breach of contract claim can include:

• Compensatory damages: This is the primary remedy, intended to cover the wages, benefits and other financial losses you suffered directly because your employer broke the contract. This often includes back pay.
• Liquidated damages: If your contract included a clause that specifies a set amount of money to be paid if a breach occurs, we will fight for that amount.
• Specific performance: In rare cases, a court might order the employer to perform the specific action they promised in the contract. However, this is uncommon in employment cases.
• Rescission: This remedy cancels the contract. It returns the parties to the position they were in before the contract was made.
• Attorney fees and costs: If your contract allows for it or if the case meets certain legal standards, we can ask the court to make your employer pay our legal fees.

Our attorneys will assess your unique situation to determine which remedies offer the best possible outcome. We are committed to securing the financial recovery you need and holding your employer accountable.

How Can a Columbus Breach of Contract Attorney Help?

When an employment contract is broken, the legal details can be complicated and confusing. You need an advocate who understands how to hold large employers accountable. We believe in helping people and making a difference. Here are the unique characteristics that define our approach:

• We conduct a thorough review: We meticulously review the contract, employee manual and related policies. Our goal is to identify every breach and every right you have.
• We listen with compassion: When you come to us, you have the opportunity to share your story with someone who genuinely cares about your concerns and financial well-being.
• We have a proven track record of successful negotiation and litigation: We know how to deal with employer defense attorneys. Our litigators are prepared to fight your case in court if necessary.
• We focus on getting the relief you deserve: We fight to recover the wages, benefits and financial losses the breach caused you.

Our labor and employment law attorneys in Columbus have decades of combined experience navigating complex contract disputes for employees like you. We are one of very few firms in Ohio whose lawyers exclusively practice in these areas.

Contact a Columbus Breach of Contract Lawyer Today

Our employment contract lawyers want to listen to your story and answer your questions. To schedule an appointment at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, you can call us at 614-762-9727. You can also reach out to us by sending a message through our website. We will help you understand your legal rights.