New Jersey Whistleblower Retaliation Attorneys
Protecting Your Voice
People at all levels of authority within a company may suddenly find themselves in a situation where they’ve acquired knowledge of something illegal going on at work. It can involve waste, fraud, abuse, or other problems, but sometimes standing up to do the right thing and report it isn’t easy. That’s why federal whistleblower protections are in place to protect workers from retaliation for reporting illegal or unethical decisions, activities, or policies.
Still, employers may act regardless of these protections and reprimand an employee for speaking up. Burnham Douglass Attorneys At Law has the experience necessary to help whistleblowers in these situations pursue justice through fair and just compensation when their federally protected rights to report unlawful activity at work are violated. If you’re someone who needs help from our whistleblower attorneys in New Jersey, reach out to us today for help.
How Do You Qualify to Be a Whistleblower?
It’s understandable that you want to be sure you would qualify as a whistleblower and benefit from federal protections before ever speaking out. While individual circumstances can vary, qualifying as a whistleblower is generally very simple: You’ve become aware of illegal activity and have (or wish) to report it. When the aforementioned statement is true, you are automatically protected by federal whistleblower protections.
If you are still unsure about your situation, consider scheduling a free consultation with one of our whistleblower attorneys in Marlton or Northfield. During this discussion, you can have a qualified legal professional evaluate your claim and help you move forward with legal action.
Have You Experienced Retaliation for Whistleblowing?
It is unlawful to take any negative actions against whistleblowers. Employers may act with disregard or out of ignorance of your rights as a whistleblower, but you are ultimately protected by law when you suffer retaliation at work for whistleblower.
As a whistleblower, take note if any of the following has occurred after you took action:
- Reduction in hours, pay, or benefits
- Demotions or pass-overs for promotion
- Termination, even if claimed as an at-will firing
- Selection for a layoff
- Suddenly negative performance reviews
- Discrimination, harassment, or attempts to ostracize you
- Exclusion from company outings, meetings, projects, or other events
- Excessively selective or stringent application of company policies to find fault in you or your performance
If you have experienced any of the above instances or something like them after becoming a whistleblower, you may have been subjected to retaliation. The law takes retaliation against whistleblowers very seriously, and you can hold your employer accountable for fair and just compensation.
New Jersey’s Anti-Retaliation Law Against Whistleblowing
New Jersey’s whistleblower law, Conscientious Employee Protection Act (“CEPA”), is a broad act that provides whistleblower protections for employees who wish to speak out against their employer. The act prohibits public and private employers from retaliatory behavior against workers who disclose or refuse to participate in illegal or fraudulent activities.
Actions that are protected under CEPA include:
- An employee objecting to participate in something that the individual believes is in violation of a law or goes against the safety of the public
- An employee disclosing or threatening to disclose information about an employer’s illegal activity
- An employee testifying or participating in an investigation about an employer’s potential violation
If you believe you’ve been retaliated against, seek legal support from Burnham Douglass Attorneys At Law’s whistleblower attorneys in New Jersey immediately.
Damages for Victims of Whistleblower Retaliation
If an employee suffers retaliation after filing a whistleblower claim against their employer, the law provides several remedies:
- Compensation for damages suffered, including emotional distress, harm to your reputation, etc.
- Litigation costs and attorneys’ fees,
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reinstatement of position prior to retaliation
- Punitive damages, if applicable
Qui Tam Whistleblowing & Compensation for Government Claims
When whistleblowing is done in the interest of protecting government resources against misuse or exploitation, a qui tam whistleblower case under The False Claims Act may be necessary to recover compensation from responsible parties.
Qui tam whistleblowers are often people working for government contractors or in professions that deal with billing public benefits like Medicare and Medicaid. Although unfortunate, it is not uncommon for entities with access to public resources to exploit them for financial gain. When fraud such as this occurs, it may be reported by a whistleblower who can represent the government’s interests in a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit.
If financial relief is won from the defendant, the United States government is generally inclined to share a portion of the recovery with the whistleblower who brought the case forward on its behalf.
Contact Our New Jersey Employment Lawyers at Burnham Douglass
If you are a whistleblower and have faced retaliation from your employer for reporting illegal activity, seek legal assistance from Burnham Douglass Attorneys At Law. Our whistleblower lawyers in Marlton & Northfield are highly experienced in employment law matters and can help you take legal action against an employer who engaged in retaliation against you.
Contact Burnham Douglass Attorneys At Law online or call 856-751-5505. When you do, ask how you can take advantage of a FREE consultation with one of our lawyers to better understand how our services can work for you.