Kenni Merritt has written an article for the Oklahoma Bar Journal which is a primer on ERISA Section 510 claims: “Interference with ERISA-Protected Rights: Making a Federal Case Out of a Wrongful Discharge Action.” Excerpt:
ERISA does not provide a statute of limitations for suits under Section 510. Therefore, courts select the most analogous state law limitations period. The courts that have considered ERISA Section 510 claims have almost unanimously concluded that the most analogous state law cause of action under Section 510 is wrongful termination or retaliatory discharge, state law causes of action encompassing an employee’s claim that he was discharged in violation of public policy. . . To reduce exposure to liability, some plan sponsors include a limitations period in their benefit plan documents and summary plan descriptions. A number of courts have recognized such plan-imposed limitation periods as being valid and enforceable under ERISA.
The whole March 11th issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal is devoted to employment discrimination.