Marquette Whistleblower Lawyer

Whistleblowers play a critical role in ensuring a safe and fair workplace for all. Unfortunately, whistleblowers are all too often retaliated against by their employers or other entities for simply doing the right thing. That said, if you’ve been retaliated against, you have rights, and a competent Marquette whistleblower lawyer from Berger Law is here to protect those rights.

Whistleblower Lawyer | Protecting Whistleblowers Throughout the Upper Peninsula

Here at Berger Law, we recognize whistleblowers as brave individuals who expose corruption, discrimination, fraud, and other types of wrongdoing in the workplace. Unfortunately, being a whistleblower is not without its risks, and if you’re reading this, you’ve most likely discovered that the hard way. Fortunately, you are in the right place. A dedicated Marquette employment lawyer from our firm is here to fight for you.

Whistleblower Rights in Michigan

Michigan has two main laws that protect whistleblowers from employer retaliation: the Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (WPA) and the Michigan False Claims Act (MFCA). The WPA applies to both public and private employees who report or are about to report a violation or a suspected violation of federal, state, or local laws. The WPA also protects employees who participate in a public hearing, investigation, or court action related to a workplace violation. Under the law, employers are prohibited from firing, threatening, or otherwise retaliating against whistleblowers for reporting these violations.

On the other hand, the MFCA applies to employees who report or assist in reporting fraud or false claims against the state or local governments. The MFCA allows whistleblowers to file a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government and share in a percentage of the recovery if the lawsuit is successful. The MFCA also protects whistleblowers from retaliation by their employers for their involvement in such lawsuits. The MFCA prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or otherwise retaliating against whistleblowers in any manner that affects their employment.

In addition to these state laws, there are also various federal laws that protect whistleblowers who report misconduct, including the Occupational Safety & Health Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Retaliated Against? We Can Help.

If you have been retaliated against by your employer for whistleblowing activities in Michigan, you may have several legal remedies available to you. Depending on the law that applies to your case, you may be able to file a complaint with a government agency, such as the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

As long as you and your attorney can prove that you have been retaliated against, you should receive compensation to help you cope with the damages you’ve incurred. This can include reinstatement to your former position, front pay, back pay, emotional distress, and more.

Statute of Limitations for Whistleblower Claims

To file a whistleblower retaliation claim, you will have to act quickly. Different laws have different deadlines and requirements. For example, under the WPA, you must file a civil action in circuit court within 90 days of the alleged retaliation. Under the MFCA, however, you will have to file a qui tam lawsuit under seal within six years of the alleged fraud. Because of the complexity and diversity of whistleblower laws in Michigan and at the federal level, it is crucial that you consult with a qualified Marquette whistleblower lawyer as soon as possible after experiencing retaliation.

Contact a Whistleblower Lawyer Today

Berger Law is a staunch defender of all whistleblowers who’ve been retaliated against for reporting injustices in the workplace. If you’re one of them, we are here to help. Contact a whistleblower lawyer from our firm for help today.