TAMPA WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION LAWYER
WERE YOU RETALIATED AGAINST FOR BLOWING THE WHISTLE ON AN EMPLOYER?
Retaliation against an employee for blowing the whistle has severe consequences for employers. Federal and state laws are in place to protect employees who object to, refuse to participate in, or report illegal or dangerous activity in the workplace. If you were retaliated against, a Florida whistleblower attorney leads as your legal advocate — fighting hard for justice and the compensation you deserve.
Whether you are a public or private employee in the state of Florida, you have the right to sue for reinstatement and can be compensated for the following:
- Back pay and back benefits in full
- Withheld or reduced bonuses
- Reasonable costs
- Damages
A Florida whistleblower attorney understands the complexities of the laws that protect employees from retaliation. At Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A., we have the extensive expertise and experience to present your case to receive appropriate compensation for retaliation.
Know that there are a variety of actions that can constitute whistleblower retaliation:
- Firing you or forcing you to quit your job
- Reducing your pay
- Changing your job title and/or your current responsibilities/duties
- Passing you up for a promotion
- Harassing or bullying you on the job
- Giving you a negative job evaluation without an apparent cause
If any of these have happened to you for reporting illegal or dangerous activity in the workplace, contact a Florida whistleblower attorney today.
WHAT ARE THE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS ON WHISTLEBLOWING IN FLORIDA?
According to Florida’s Private Whistle-blower’s Act, it is unlawful for employers to terminate employees for uncovering, objecting to, or reporting violations of state law. Hardworking Florida residents have protections under this act and must take immediate action if their rights have been violated. With appropriate legal counsel with a Florida whistleblower attorney, your case will be as strong as possible to fight the lawyer or team of lawyers that your employer will have.
There are also a number of federal laws on the books that cover whistleblowers for everything from financial crimes to food and consumer safety such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSC).
At Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A., we represent employees who have tried to do the right thing, only to be punished. That punishment can take the form of retaliation by their employers through termination, wage reduction, firing, or other punitive measures.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST AN EMPLOYER
Filing a formal complaint with the appropriate governing agency will result in a formal hearing to determine wrongdoing. Making a complaint to your employer regarding a valid violation of the law should not lead to the loss of your job. Protected employees may have done any of the following:
- Objected to, or refused to participate, in a policy, practice, or procedure of the employer that violates a law, rule or regulation
- Filed a written complaint with an appropriate agency on their own or as part of an ongoing investigation
- Participated in an investigation or legal action against their employer
- Contacted a whistleblower hotline
Dismissing or disciplining a whistleblower only adds to the troubles of an employer already under investigation for law violations. Other adverse actions may take the form of reducing or withholding bonuses or denying benefits.
Whatever the situation of the retaliation is: saving documentation is important. Valuable documentation that a whistleblower attorney can utilize for your case includes a list of retaliatory behavior with time and dates that says what the behavior was and how it affected you. Also keep any emails, memos, reviews and other related information. If you have any historical documentation before the retaliation, that can also be helpful to show the change in behavior from your employer.
Also, if there are any witnesses to the particular event(s) or event you complained about or witnesses to the retaliation by your employer, this can be extremely helpful in winning your case.
CONTACT A WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY IN FLORIDA
At Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A., we are here to stand up for your employee rights and help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. A Florida whistleblower attorney provides aggressive advocacy on your behalf against employers who try to intimidate you. The fact is that retaliating against a whistleblower is not only wrong, but it is illegal, and there are serious consequences. When your employee rights are violated, we are here for you to hold them accountable so you can get your career and your life back on track.
Contact us today to set up a free, confidential case evaluation with a Florida whistleblower attorney. We help employees who have been wronged by employers to make great decisions about their legal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be fired for reporting illegal activity?
Terminating an employee for reporting unlawful activity by the employer can be considered retaliation and could be illegal under both federal and Florida whistleblower laws. If this happens, you may be entitled to reinstatement, lost wages, and other damages.
If you were fired after reporting illegal activity, the whistleblower retaliation attorneys at Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. can help you understand your legal options.
What damages can I recover in a whistleblower retaliation case?
You may recover:
- Lost wages and benefits
- Future lost earnings
- Emotional distress damages
- Attorney’s fees
- In some cases, punitive damages
What if I was fired for reporting fraudulent billing in healthcare?
Reporting Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance fraud is protected activity under both federal and Florida law. If you were terminated after exposing fraudulent billing, you may have claims for whistleblower retaliation — and in some cases, you may also qualify to file a qui tam action under the False Claims Act.
Healthcare workers who speak up play an essential role in protecting patients and taxpayers. If you were punished for doing so, the Florida qui tam attorneys at Wenzel Fenton Cabassa are experienced in litigating qui tam claims.
What to do if I am terminated for reporting securities fraud or insider trading?
Employees in finance and banking (among others) are protected under laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. If you were punished for reporting securities violations, you may have both retaliation claims and the opportunity to file with the SEC’s whistleblower program.
If your career was derailed after reporting financial misconduct, contact our whistleblower attorneys to learn how we may be able to assist.
Do I have protection if I reported misuse of customer financial data?
Reporting improper handling of sensitive customer or financial data is considered protected whistleblowing. If your employer retaliated against you for speaking up, you may have a valid claim.
Data privacy is critical, and employees who report violations are protected. If you lost your job for doing the right thing, our team can help you seek justice.F
What happens if I am terminated for reporting OSHA violations?
Reporting unsafe working conditions is protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If you were fired or punished after raising safety concerns, that is unlawful retaliation. OSHA complaints must be filed quickly — often within 30 days.
If you were punished for reporting safety hazards, act fast. The Florida OSHA retaliation attorneys at Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. can help you protect your rights and meet critical deadlines.
How to prove you were fired for whistleblowing?
Direct evidence — such as emails, texts, or comments linking your report to your firing — can be powerful. But even without it, close timing between your complaint and termination can support your claim. Documentation, witness testimony, and company records can also help build your case.
If you suspect your termination was retaliation, our attorneys can evaluate the evidence to determine how we can help pursue justice on your behalf.
What are examples of whistleblower retaliation?
Examples include:
- Firing or demotion after making a complaint
- Cutting pay, hours, or benefits
- Denying promotions or bonuses
If you’ve experienced any of these after speaking up, the whistleblower lawyers at Wenzel Fenton Cabassa, P.A. can help you understand your rights and legal remedies.
“Thank you so very much for standing up for me, it’s comforting to know that me feelings and rights were valid.”
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