Fort Lauderdale Whistleblower Lawyer

Honest Fort Lauderdale Whistleblower Attorney

Reporting dangerous or unlawful conduct may protect the public and help to hold wrongdoers accountable. In some cases, whistleblowers are retaliated against by their employer. This often happens when an employer wants to punish an employee or prevent them from reporting illegal conduct. A Fort Lauderdale whistleblower lawyer can explain how both federal and Florida law may provide protections for whistleblowers.

If you work near Downtown Fort Lauderdale, near Port Everglades, on Las Olas Boulevard, or anywhere along I-95 and I-595, it is important to know your rights when blowing the whistle on unlawful conduct.

Get to Know The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A.

Employment issues can force employees to make difficult choices with lifelong consequences. The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. knows how complicated employment issues can be. For years, she has assisted both individuals and businesses in Broward County with their legal issues.

Attorney Michelle Cohen Levy is a solo practitioner. She works hard to make sure each person she represents understands the legal process and how it may affect their rights and obligations as an employee.

What Is a Whistleblower?

Whistleblowers are employees and individuals who report illegal conduct. A whistleblower can be a current or former employee. In some cases, a contractor or any individual who learns about fraud or illegal conduct can qualify as a whistleblower. Examples of activities commonly reported by whistleblowers include:

• Various forms of fraud
• Safety violations
• Discrimination or harassment
• Environmental issues
• Wage and hour complaints

Whistleblowers often report issues that would otherwise go unnoticed. Both federal and Florida law provide protections for whistleblowers.

Understanding Whistleblower Laws

There are numerous laws that may protect whistleblowers from retaliation. The False Claims Act, a significant federal statute, allows private citizens to bring claims against entities that have defrauded the government. In some situations, whistleblowers can file a claim and share in the funds recovered by the government. The False Claims Act also provides protections against retaliation.

The Florida Private Sector Whistleblower Act also protects Florida employees from retaliation. If an employee discloses a violation or threatens to disclose information that violates a law or rule, they may be protected by Florida’s Whistleblower Act. Florida law forbids employers from retaliating against workers who refuse to take part in or object to any illegal business practices.

Both Florida and federal whistleblower laws allow individuals to file a claim against their employers for retaliation. Whistleblower claims are meant to protect employees from negative employment actions, such as termination or demotion.

Common Forms of Whistleblower Retaliation

According to the EEOC, in fiscal year 2024, retaliation claims accounted for 38.7% of all cases the agency filed. Whistleblowing is a common reason for retaliation. Employers can retaliate against employees in many different ways. When an employee blows the whistle on fraud or other unlawful behavior, employers do not always act quickly to terminate the employee. Some forms of retaliation are subtle and happen over time, and can include:

• Termination
• Demotion
• Pay reduction
• Change in job duties, especially to unfavorable ones
• Harassment
• Denial of promotion
• Exclusion and ostracization
• Unnecessary reprimands

Some employers attempt to retaliate by finding reasons to discipline the employee after they report misconduct. If the employer has never documented performance issues in the past and sudden issues arise after a report has been made, this may point to signs of retaliation.

Hire a Whistleblower Lawyer to Understand Your Rights

Employees should know that there are many important factors to consider when thinking about blowing the whistle. Certain claims may require the employee to report issues to the government before filing a claim. There are also deadlines that may limit the ability to file a claim.

Documentation can be extremely important when it comes to whistleblower claims. Save emails, internal complaints, performance reviews, and text messages that might support your claim. Witness testimony can also be important when building whistleblower cases. Contact a Fort Lauderdale whistleblower attorney to discuss your claims and potential whistleblower protections. Florida also has strict rules about recording conversations at work, so it is worth knowing what you can and cannot legally capture before you try.

Employment law claims in Fort Lauderdale are typically handled by administrative agencies, Florida state courts, or federal courts. Broward County Central Courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.

FAQs

What Should I Do if I Believe I’m Experiencing Retaliation From Whistleblowing?

If you believe you are experiencing retaliation from whistleblowing, be sure to gather as much evidence as you can to support your claim. Contact a Fort Lauderdale whistleblower attorney, as they can look into the facts of the situation for you and inform you of next steps. If you are experiencing retaliation, compensation may be available to you.

What Kind of Proof Is Needed to Be a Whistleblower?

Whistleblower claims typically involve evidence of an employee reporting or disclosing suspected illegal activity and suffering retaliation as a result. Useful evidence can include emails, internal complaint records, text messages, government agency reports, witness testimony, performance reviews, and discipline records. A solid paper trail linking the protected activity to the adverse employment action is often useful.

What Is the Average Payout for a Whistleblower?

There is no typical whistleblower payout, as the amount of a whistleblower award can vary substantially based on the circumstances. Monetary compensation might cover damages like lost wages, getting your job back, damages for emotional suffering, legal costs, and sometimes, in specific federal fraud cases, a cut of the money the government gets back. The worth of a whistleblower claim typically depends on the extent of retaliation and associated financial losses.

What Qualifies as a Whistleblower Claim?

Whistleblower claims typically involve employees being retaliated against for reporting or disclosing information about illegal conduct. Some examples of whistleblower claims include reporting fraud, unsafe working conditions, discrimination, environmental violations, and healthcare fraud. The specific elements of a claim depend on the state or federal whistleblower law that applies.

Contact The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. Today

Deciding whether or not to report illegal or unethical activity can be challenging, especially when you’re worried about repercussions from your employer. Thankfully, there are a number of federal and Florida laws that protect whistleblowers who report misconduct in good faith.

If you learn about misconduct in the workplace in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere else in Broward County, The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. can help you. Contact us today for more information.