When a person is fired from a job because they asserted their legal rights or complained about illicit behavior, they may have a wrongful termination claim for whistleblowing or retaliation. This guide explains the laws that relate to these cases and shows how a Whistleblower Lawyer can help when a worker is wrongfully terminated.
Retaliation: What is It?
Employers retaliate against workers when they punish them for reporting problems or exercising their rights. Although these laws are enforced by the government, the entities typically don’t conduct random audits. Although a company can be found in violation of the law, nothing usually happens unless the worker files a lawsuit.
Whistleblowing Explained
An employee is considered a whistleblower when they report illegal conduct that doesn’t relate to employee rights. Employers cannot fire workers for reporting illegal activities, and workers are protected by laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Workers should consult a Whistleblower Lawyer to determine whether they can file a claim.
Meeting With an Attorney
Whistleblowing and retaliation claims can be very complex, and the rules can vary by location. An experienced attorney can help a client determine whether they have a legitimate claim based on a public policy violation or a specific law.
Paying the Attorney
A client may be concerned about how they’ll pay an employment lawyer. Depending on the claim, an attorney may be able to take a case on a contingency basis. Here, the attorney is only paid if the case is successful, and they receive a portion of the settlement or court award.
Available Damages
The amount a client collects in a whistleblowing or retaliation case depends on the strength and basis of the claim. For most termination cases, employees can ask for back wages, reinstatement pay, out-of-pocket expenses and court costs.
In some instances, a client may be able to receive pain and suffering damages for the physical and emotional harm caused by an employer’s behavior. If a person has lost his or her job because they reported illegal activity or exercised their legal rights, they can visit our website to schedule a consultation with an employment lawyer. You can also connect them on Facebook.
