Whistleblower Attorney Cleveland Ohio
What is Whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing occurs when an employee, known as a whistleblower, reports their employer or a government agency for any of the following kinds of violations:
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Dangers to the public health and safety
- Waste
- Violating federal, state, or local laws
An employee may consider becoming a whistleblower when they recognize that the company or agency they work for is breaking the law, participating in corruption, defrauding the government, or creating other kinds of danger to public health and safety.
Whistleblowing also does not have to come from an individual that works within the company or agency that is engaging in the wrongdoing. However, the information, that otherwise may not become known, must come from an individual that is able to disclose the information. With that being said, there are many whistleblower laws in the United States at all levels: federal, state, and local.
The different kinds of actions that may cause an individual to be considered a whistleblower include:
- Refusing to participate in a company or agency’s wrongdoing
- Reporting violations of a local, state, or federal law
- Reporting violations of a company or agency’s own rules and policies
While the definition of whistleblowing may seem simple, it is important to consult with a whistleblower attorney in Cleveland, Ohio who has a thorough understanding of the many complex laws associated with whistleblowing and many have very short statutes of limitations.
Speak to A Whistleblower Attorney in Cleveland, Ohio Before You Blow the Whistle
When it comes to whistleblowing, speaking to and working with a whistleblower lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio will be key. There are specific requirements that tie into the whistleblowing process that help to ensure that you, as the whistleblower, will remain protected.
Though the law forbids retaliation against an employee or individual who engages in whistleblowing, retaliation still often occurs. If you have faced retaliation, such as being terminated from your job due to whistleblowing, reach out to a whistleblower attorney in Cleveland, Ohio immediately.
What Can A Whistleblower Attorney in Cleveland, Ohio Do and What Protections Do You Have?
One of the primary ways that a whistleblower attorney in Cleveland, Ohio will be able to assist you is to provide consultation and ensure that you are protected by the appropriate whistleblower laws at all levels.
A whistleblower lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio will also work to make sure that all whistleblower procedures and rules are completed properly. The whistleblowing process can be complex and risky and working with an experienced attorney will go a long way to keep you protected.
With that in mind, we can shortly look at both federal and state-level protections afforded to whistleblowers. At the federal level, for example, the Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits employers from retaliating against any employees that report potential violations of consumer product laws.
Similarly, the Ohio Whistleblower Protection Act was designed to protect employees who become whistleblowers in response to employer retaliation. But as previously mentioned, whistleblower laws have requirements that need to be met. For the Ohio Whistleblower Protection Act to apply, the following requirements must be met:
- The employee must report the violation in writing. This can be through a letter or even an email. But if there is no written documentation provided in relation to the employer’s violation, the WPA protection claim may not be applicable.
- The employee must also have a reasonable belief that the reported violation is illegal and that there could be potential for hazard or physical harm to public health and safety.
Contact a Whistleblower Lawyer in Cleveland Ohio
With the numerous elements that tie into being a whistleblower, enlisting the advice and help of a whistleblower lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio as soon as you think about reporting a violation or if you believe you have been retaliated against due to whistleblowing is recommended. Contact the experienced team at The Friedmann Firm online today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
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