Whistleblowers are an integral part of a safe, ethical workforce. Unfortunately, business owners, employers, and other “higher-ups” within companies don’t always obey the law and engage in ethical practices, and whistleblowers exist to hold them accountable. If you reported wrongdoing in the workplace and were retaliated against, there’s a strong chance you will have a valid claim against your employer. However, you should not pursue such a claim without our competent California whistleblower lawyers in your corner. Contact Stansbury Brown Law, PC today.
Whistleblower Lawyers | Representing Whistleblowers in California
It takes a great deal of bravery to speak out as a whistleblower. Fortunately, whistleblowers do have rights, but all too often, those rights are violated by their employers. If you were fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for acting as a whistleblower, you need our dedicated Los Angeles employment lawyers on your side. Fortunately, you are in the right place.
State & Federal Laws Protecting Whistleblowers
Various legal statutes are in place to protect whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing in the workplace. Some of the state and federal laws protecting whistleblowers are as follows:
- The California False Claims Act
- The California Whistleblower Protection Act
- The (Federal) Whistleblower Protection Act
- The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
- The Dodd-Frank Act
- The California Labor Code
These laws protect various types of actions that whistleblowers may take to report or disclose information about wrongdoing. Some examples of protected actions are as follows:
- Reporting suspected violations of law or regulation to a government agency, law enforcement agency, supervisor, manager, board member, auditor, compliance officer, or other person who has authority to investigate or correct the violation.
- Providing information or testimony to a public body conducting an investigation, hearing, or inquiry into a violation of law or regulation.
- Refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of law or regulation.
- Cooperating with an investigation or audit by a government agency, law enforcement agency, internal department, or external entity.
- Filing a lawsuit or a claim under a whistleblower statute or program.
Filing a Whistleblower Claim in California
If you have been retaliated against for reporting unethical or illegal activity in the workplace, the most important thing you can do is retain the services of a competent whistleblower rights lawyer. Your attorney can assess the validity of your claim and the damages you’ve sustained as a result of the retaliatory action, and, from there, gather evidence to support your claim and take legal action on your behalf. Depending on the nature of your claim, you may have anywhere between six months and three years to file a lawsuit, so it’s imperative that you speak with a legal professional sooner, rather than later.
Contact Our Whistleblower Lawyers Today
Stansbury Brown Law, PC is a staunch legal advocate for whistleblowers throughout the state of California. If you believe your rights have been violated, our team is here to fight for you. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.