Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
Whistleblowers are people who report dishonest or illegal activities. As a result of doing what is right, whistleblowers are targets for reprisal and retaliation. Examples of retaliation include termination, suspension, demotion, or other adverse employment actions.
Laws that encourage people to blow the whistle by reporting false claims, corporate fraud, safety violations, and other violations of laws, rules and regulations often include whistleblower protections.
Examples of Whistleblower Protection Laws
Most whistleblower claims arise under the False Claims Act, as a result of retaliation for reporting fraud and false claims in government contracts or under
retaliation provisions of employment discrimination laws, such as Title VII, which make it illegal to retaliate against a person for engaging in protected EEO activities. Other federal laws that protect whistleblowers from retaliation include laws for disclosure of illegal conduct relating to:
- corporate, securities, commodities, and consumer financial services fraud;
- food safety, health care, and consumer product safety;
- workplace safety and health violations, and mine safety;
- public transit safety, aviation safety, commercial motor vehicle safety, railroad carrier safety cargo container safety, and pipeline safety; and
- environmental protection, nuclear safety, and asbestos in schools.
Whistleblower Protections for Federal Employees
Some, but not all, of the federal whistleblower protection laws apply to federal employees. The major whistleblower law protecting most federal employees is the Whistleblower Protection Act. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution also protects public employees who blow the whistle.
If you have been retaliated against for reporting false claims to the government, disclosing securities fraud or other corporate fraud, or otherwise engaging in whistleblower activity, you need an experienced whistleblower attorney. Call 703-644-4122 / 202-393-1443 or complete the whistleblower complaint review form to schedule a consultation.