El Paso Whistleblowing Attorney

Every employee has the right to report their employer should they do something unethical or illegal. But many times, these people are labeled as whistleblowers who then must suffer the consequences brought on by outing their employers. The Law Office of Perry Pinon can help you if you’ve been retaliated against for whistleblowing.

What is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of exposing an organization for doing something that people would find unethical or illegal. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a place of employment, though this is the most common case. Oftentimes, what is being revealed by the whistleblower goes against company policies and ethics, is illegal, can harm people, goes against public interest, or is a threat to national security. But while the whistleblower is doing what they believe is the best thing to do, they’re often the ones who are scrutinized for their actions, which is why it can be a good idea to work with a whistleblowing attorney if you receive retaliation for your actions.

What Constitutes a Whistleblower Case?

Being fired for whistleblowing typically qualifies as wrongful termination, meaning it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee because they reported illegal or unethical behavior within an organization. Many states have laws in place that allow employees sue employers for wrongful termination if they were terminated because of whistleblowing.

A whistleblowing attorney will help you determine if you have a case based on the laws of the state you live in. As of right now, Texas does not have strict wrongful termination laws put in place. The only act that Texas laws guarantee wrongful termination protection for is refusing to engage in illegal activities. So if your employer asks you to engage in these activities and you refuse and expose them and are then fired for it, you can sue and will probably have an easier time building a case against them.

What is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?

A qui tam lawsuit is one where a whistleblower is rewarded for helping the government earn back funds they lost to fraud. Essentially, under the False Claims Act, a whistleblower who helps a government agency by reporting fraud within the agency will be rewarded for his or her actions. According to Nolo.com, The phrase “qui tam” comes from a Latin saying that basically says “he who brings an action to the king as well as himself.” Qui tam lawsuits help identify fraud within governmental organizations, which in turn helps people who may have been suffering from the repercussions of the fraud committed.

Things to Consider & What the Process Looks Like

Filing whistleblowing suits can be timely and costly, so you want to be sure you were, in fact, wrongfully terminated because you blew the whistle. Be sure to have evidence that the organization you were working for committed an act that was illegal or unethical. You’ll need to present the evidence in order to start the claim. Depending on the issue, the necessary parties will then conduct an investigation of the situation, which is often the longest part of the process. If the government is investigating, they may decide to bring you in to testify, especially if your case falls under the False Claims Act.

The Law Office of Perry Pinon is Here to Help

If you’ve been fired because of whistleblowing, our dedicated and qualified lawyer can help you file a claim and build a case. No one deserves to be punished for doing the right thing. Call us today to learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation!