Ohio state department sued over record loss

Documents go missing for various reasons – they can be lost in the shuffle among other papers, get misfiled or end up being thrown away unintentionally. However, there are sometimes more sinister causes behind missing files.

According to leaders at Ohio's Patriot Water Treatment, the state's Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) purposefully destroyed records that would have allowed the company to reopen its doors, the Tribune Chronicle reported. As such, the business recently decided to sue the agency, seeking more than $3.5 million in damages.

The treatment facility had to shut its doors in the spring due to a denial of permits, and leaders said that the ODNR has the means to prove the company was fit to treat water again. However, the newspaper detailed, Patriot administrators allege that state workers instead chose to destroy documents related to the case, resulting in the facilities' extended closure. 

Companies can ensure that files remain protected by creating an electronic information management system. Administrators can ensure that business files are saved on computers and only allow access to the documents for individuals who are trusted and have a legitimate reason for viewing the records.

Brought to you by Image One Corporation, providing complete information governance since 1994.