Union Savings Bank v. Lachman, Unpublished Decision (4-17-2002)

**What Happened** Union Savings Bank accidentally overpaid an employee named Lachman money related to an escrow agreement. When the bank discovered the mistake, they asked Lachman to return the extra $10,982.02. When Lachman refused to pay it back, the bank sued to recover the overpaid funds. **What the Court Decided** An Ohio appeals court sided with Union Savings Bank in April 2002. The court ruled that the bank had the right to sue for the mistakenly overpaid money and that Lachman was legally required to return the $10,982.02. The court confirmed that when an employer accidentally overpays an employee, they can take legal action to get that money back. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that employees cannot keep money they receive by mistake from their employer, even if the employer made the error. If your employer accidentally overpays you through payroll errors, incorrect calculations, or administrative mistakes, you are legally obligated to return the excess amount when asked. Workers should review their paystubs carefully and report any overpayments to avoid potential legal problems later. Keeping money you know isn't rightfully yours can lead to lawsuits and court-ordered repayment.