Even though there are federal protections for people who speak up about an employer’s or organization’s wrongdoings, there is a need for a good whistleblower law firm Maryland citizens can rely on in at-will employment states such as Maryland and many of its surrounding states.
Both government and private-sector employees are supposed to be protected against employer and/or supervisor retaliation in the event that they report fraud, illegal and/or unethical activities or practices. Even when an employer or organization is blatantly doing wrong, an employee who “blows the whistle” on this may suffer from retaliation from the employer. This is one of the many reasons that people who are whistleblowers or who are thinking about becoming one, need the protection of a law firm that is experienced at successfully defending whistleblower’s rights, reputations, and financial well-beings.
At-Will Employment States
Maryland is an at-will employment state. An at-will employment state is a state in the U.S. where an employee can be dismissed by an employer without having to establish “just cause” for their termination. At-will employment is a term used in United States labor law for contractual relationships in which an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason and without warning, as long as the reason is not illegal.
Examples of when it is illegal to fire someone in an at-will state include but are not limited to firing someone based on their:
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Country of origin
If you have been fired for being a whistleblower or are suffering from retaliation for having done this in the state of Maryland and many of the surrounding states, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a reputable whistleblower law firm Maryland whistleblowers and their families can trust.
False Claims Act
The False Claims Act (also known as the Lincoln Law) is a federal law in the United States that imposes liability on persons and companies who act with the intention to deceive others. Typically, this act imposes liability on federal contractors who defraud governmental programs. This is the federal Government’s tool for combating fraud against the government. It allows people who are not affiliated with the government to file actions on behalf of the government. These actions are often referred to as whistleblowing where the person performing them is referred to as a whistleblower (or whistle blower or whistle-blower).
When Should an Honest Person Call a Whistleblower Law Firm?
An honest person who wants to speak up about the wrongdoings of an employer or organization, may find it helpful to discuss their situation with a lawyer who is licensed to help whistleblowers in the state where the wrongdoings occurred. Even though there are many laws and regulations in place to protect employees from employer retaliation if they speak up about unethical and/or illegal practices, doing this can have negative consequences for the honest person. One way to combat and prevent these negative consequences is by having a law firm on their side that knows how to protect whistleblowers and their rights.
For a reputable whistleblower law firm Maryland whistleblowers and their families recommend, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation, any time of the day or night, any day of the year.
