Protection For Those Who Step Forward
What Is A “Whistleblower?”
In New Jersey and throughout the county an employee who reports wrongdoing on behalf of his or her employer is known as a whistleblower. In layman’s terms, the employee is “blowing the whistle” on an employer’s conduct that is considered to be inappropriate or potentially illegal. Seeking legal advice to determine if you have a whistleblower case is important. Thus, there are many federal and state laws that exist to protect whistleblowers, making it illegal for employers to retaliate against whistleblower claims.
If an employee reports a company’s corruption that causes losses for the government and no one else has come forward with the claims, the whistleblower can file a lawsuit on behalf of the government, known as a “Qui Tam action.”
What We Can Do
Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo LLC, a law firm in Essex County New Jersey, can evaluate your situation and help you gather the necessary proof to file a law suit if necessary. Sometimes employers harass workers who raise such legally protected complaints to punish them or to prevent them from disclosing any more information. Other times, employers demote or even fire employees who report wrongdoing.
Protections In New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the nation’s most broad whistleblower laws, called the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA). This law makes it illegal for an employer to retaliate against any employee who refuses to participate in something that he or she rationally believes is unlawful, fraudulent, immoral, or violates any public policy relating to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. In cases involving fraudulent activity against the government, whistleblowers are protected under the False Claims Act, and may receive a percentage of the compensation recovered. After filing the lawsuit, the employee will not only receive protection against retaliation from the employer, but may be entitled to receive some portion of the damages that the government collects.
Protect Yourself From Adverse Consequences. Call Today.
Call our offices at 973-542-2766 to discuss the proper course of action. You can also write to us online if you prefer.