Ohio court backs broker, defeats account manager’s $2.5 million pay claim

She had left a long-held job to take the position. Over three years, she negotiated extra benefits and a 3% raise, signing each change and later acknowledging she received the money.

The company let her go in January 2021, pointing to a series of mistakes. She sued for breach of contract and two related claims.

Then came the math that drew attention. She argued she was the firm’s only licensed account manager, that she essentially ran the whole book, and that the revenue under her had grown past $25 million. At 10%, she said, that came to more than $2.5 million.

The broker saw it differently. It said she handled a defined set of clients and only their major medical plans – not dental, vision, disability, life, or Medicare. Its records showed the revenue tied to her clients, and showed her actual salary stayed above what the formula would have paid on that book.

The court was not persuaded by the bigger number. It pointed to her own deposition. She acknowledged there were other account managers, that two also handled medical clients, that another manager was licensed when she was hired, and that both owners were licensed agents who sold insurance and serviced clients. She agreed her responsibility was major medical.