Worley v. Newton Falls School Bd. of Edn.
2014 Ohio 5385
Ohio Ct. App.2014Background
- Jenifer Worley sued Newton Falls Exempted Village School Board alleging disability discrimination (R.C. 4112.02) and emotional distress, bringing an independent civil action under R.C. 4112.99.
- The Board moved for summary judgment, arguing Worley failed to exhaust administrative/arbitral remedies and that R.C. 4112.14(C) bars court suits when arbitration is available.
- The trial court granted summary judgment for the Board; Worley appealed.
- Central legal dispute: whether the exhaustion/arbitration limitation in R.C. 4112.14(C) (an age-discrimination provision) applies to non-age disability-discrimination claims pursued under R.C. 4112.99.
- The appellate court reviewed de novo and considered Ohio Supreme Court precedent holding R.C. 4112.99 provides an independent civil remedy for disability discrimination without exhausting administrative remedies.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether R.C. 4112.14(C) requires exhaustion/arbitration for disability claims brought under R.C. 4112.99 | R.C. 4112.14(C) applies only to age-discrimination claims; disability claims under 4112.99 need not be arbitrated or administratively exhausted | 4112.14(C) bars civil suits (including remedies under 4112.01–4112.11) when arbitration is available, so Worley must arbitrate before suing | The court held 4112.14(C) does not apply to non-age (disability) claims; Worley need not exhaust/arbitrate before filing under 4112.99 |
Key Cases Cited
- Elek v. Huntington Natl. Bank, 60 Ohio St.3d 135 (1991) (R.C. 4112.99 allows independent civil actions for physical disability discrimination)
- Smith v. Friendship Village of Dublin, 92 Ohio St.3d 503 (2001) (interpreting Elek to allow civil suit without exhausting administrative remedies)
- Dworning v. Euclid, 119 Ohio St.3d 83 (2008) (public employees need not exhaust internal administrative remedies before filing under R.C. 4112.99; 4112.14(C) reflects preference for arbitration only for age claims)
- Meyer v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 122 Ohio St.3d 104 (2009) (4112.99 functions as gap-filling civil liability provision)
- Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 77 Ohio St.3d 102 (1996) (summary judgment reviewed de novo)