Whistleblower

Fort Lauderdale Whistleblower Lawyers

Aggressive Trial Attorneys Fighting for Your Rights in Florida

If you discover unethical or even unlawful activity occurring where you work (whether it is a company or a government) and you refuse to participate in it or you report it under The False Claims (FCA), you are what is known as a “whistleblower.” In Florida and elsewhere, it is illegal for an employer to fire or harass you for reporting something that is illegal; this is known as whistleblower protection.

At The Amlong Firm, we understand workplace retaliation and whistleblower protection. We also have access to experts who understand it. Our employment law attorneys are aggressive advocates who are here to help when you have suffered wrongful termination or other adverse employment actions simply for doing the right thing. Our opponents know we are willing to go to trial. Because of this, we obtain settlements that are generally better than those obtained by lawyers with a reputation for being hesitant to go to court.

Need whistleblower protection? Consult with a Fort Lauderdale whistleblower attorney at (954) 953-5490 today.

State & Federal Laws Protecting Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are those individuals who refuse to participate in or who report wrongdoing on the part of an employer that could include:

Various types of fraud
Waste
Abuse
Danger to public health and safety
Corruption

Examples of fraud at the government level can include that committed against military contracts, against Medicare, and against other government programs. Fraud or illegal activity committed by other employers can include violating environmental regulations, securities, grant, or tax laws, or committing accounting fraud.

As a whistleblower, you are protected by various federal and state laws. The False Claims Act protects whistleblowers who expose fraud against the government. The Whistleblower Protection Act has established protections for federal employees reporting fraud or other misconduct committed at the federal level. Florida’s Whistleblower Act is a state law that protects both private and public whistleblowing employees from any type of retaliation committed against them by their employers. Under Florida’s law, as an employee you may bring a lawsuit against your employer for back pay, benefits, and lost wages as well as other damages.

Florida Whistleblowing Protection Laws

Florida follows the at-will employment laws that say that employees can be fired at any time for any reason. However, there are exemptions to this rule.

They come from either the Common Law or from the Legislative Statues:

Common Law: In Florida an employer may terminate an employee at any time for any reason, unless the termination is in violation of a statute.
Statuary Protection: There are two main statues that protect an employee. One of which protects public employees while the other protects private employees.
The Florida Whistle-Blower's Act: protects public employees
The Florida Private Sector Whistleblower Act: Private employees are protected under. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 448.102.
Other Protections: Various Florida statutes also include protections against retaliation, including against termination because of the filing of a worker's compensation claim.

If You Speak Up & Get Shut Down Down

You shouldn't have to work in a job environment where illegal things are going on. You also shouldn't have to fear retaliatory discharge from your job if you report something you sincerely believe is against the law or even if you refuse to join in the lawbreaking. For some employers, however, the rule is "speak up and you will get slapped down."

A whistleblower protection claim often involves employer retaliation for reporting something that is illegal or for saying, "No, boss, I won't do that" when the employer asked you to do something illegal. Under Florida’s law, your employer cannot fire, demote, discipline, transfer, reduce your hours or pay, or engage in any other adverse action against you for disclosing information about any illegal activity or suspected illegal activity.

Hear From Our Happy Clients

At The Amlong Firm, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

“I highly recommend this attorney for anyone who is looking for a strong aggressive attorney.”
“She fights for her clients and tries her best to ensure your rights are being protected. The decision to obtain Mrs. Amlong was the best choice I could have made dealing with my case.”

Curtis (Race Discrimination)
“Bill and Karen Amlong are the best employment lawyers that I know.”
“I have referred them several employment-related cases and they always get the job done. If you have an employment law question you should call The Amlong Firm.”

Attorney Sam C. (Endorsing Bill and Karen Amlong)
“Her experience and expertise allowed her to overlook their intimidation and shame tactics. I would highly recommend her.”
“Ms. Amlong represented me as a 16b officer in a public company in a labor and harassment suit against my former employer. We were up against a giant with a powerful New York law firm. I was extremely pleased with Karen's strategy and results.”

Vickie A. (Age And Gender Discrimination)
“Definitely would refer anyone to Karen or the firm in general.”
Very knowledgeable and worth your time. My case was on the easier side, but definitely would refer anyone to Karen or the firm in general.

Adryan C.
“I am forever indebted to Karen and feel blessed that my career and reputation will not be tarnished. I can't believe how much she truly cared.”
“The institution that I work at had falsely accused me of violating a communication policy and tried to make an example of me to other employees. I would have lost my job had it not been for Karen. Karen was patient and professional in her communication.”

Danny (Job Rescue)
“Bill has helped many people in this community in tough times of desperate need and gotten them through crisis and can do the same for you.”
“I endorse this lawyer. I would certainly call him for my own family's issues should they ever arise.”

Attorney David H. (Endorsing Bill Amlong)
“I needed help and Karen Amlong came to my rescue.”
“For 20+ years I was the CEO of a nonprofit organization which forced retirement on me in a sudden and abrupt manner. I turned to Ms. Amlong hoping not only to get a fair settlement, but also to retain my dignity and reputation.”

Former Client (Age Discrimination)
“Thursday appointment regarding a racial discrimination case was impressive.”
“You answered all questions in a professional manner that brought me on board.”

Marc J. (Race Discrimination)

View All Reviews

Whistleblower Cases We Have Handled

We have represented clients who faced employer retaliatory firing or ugly treatment after they reported a sexual harassment, discrimination, or wage-and-hour claim. Also, a significant number of clients we represent in the workplace retaliation and whistleblowing area are human resources professionals who urged following the law but whose employers viewed them as traitors. Another large group consists of "finance and insurance" managers from car dealerships who refused to go along with fraudulent loans. Others include people from pharmaceutical sales or physicians' offices who refuse to participate in "kickback" or other schemes that impact Medicare or other tax dollars and clients who experienced retaliation for filing workers' compensation claims or reporting OSHA violations.

As seasoned trial lawyers, we have no problem taking whistleblower claims to court in pursuit of seeking compensation and justice for our clients. That willingness and our extensive experience have earned The Amlong Firm a reputation for legal excellence in employment law throughout South Florida.

Need legal help? Contact us at (954) 953-5490 to arrange to speak with one of our legal team today.

Commonly Asked Questions

What legal protections do whistleblowers have in Fort Lauderdale?

Whistleblowers in Fort Lauderdale are safeguarded by various federal and state laws, including the False Claims Act, which protects those exposing fraud against the government, and the Whistleblower Protection Act for federal employees. Additionally, Florida’s Whistleblower Act protects state employees, while the Florida Private Sector Whistleblower Act covers private employees. These laws ensure that whistleblowers can report illegal activities without fear of retaliation such as wrongful termination, demotion, or other adverse employment actions.

Can I be fired for refusing to participate in illegal activities at work in Florida?

No, under Florida law, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for refusing to participate in or for reporting illegal activities. This includes protection against being fired, demoted, disciplined, transferred, having your hours or pay reduced, or any other adverse employment action. If you face such retaliation, you may have grounds to bring a lawsuit against your employer for damages including back pay, benefits, and lost wages.

What types of wrongdoing can Fort Lauderdale whistleblowers report?

Whistleblowers in Fort Lauderdale can report a wide range of wrongful acts, such as various types of fraud, waste, abuse, danger to public health and safety, and corruption. This includes fraud against military contracts, Medicare, and other government programs, as well as violations of environmental regulations, securities, grant, or tax laws, and accounting fraud. Reporting such activities is protected under both federal and state whistleblower laws.

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