Filing a Whistleblower Claim: Insights for Los Angeles Employees

Bringing to light unethical or illegal conduct at work can be hard, but whistleblowers are important to the proper functioning of society. If you see something illegal or unethical being done at your workplace, you do not have to be scared of reporting such activities. In this article, you will learn how to make a whistleblower claim in Los Angeles and the various services that a whistleblower attorney Los Angeles can help you with in this process.

What is a Whistleblower?

A whistleblower is an employee who tells authorities about illegal, corrupt or dangerous activities that are taking place on his or her employer’s premises. Such reports can encompass a wide range of effects, including but not limited to:

• Fraud or financial misconduct

• Violations of safety regulations

• Discrimination or harassment

• Environmental violations

• Retaliation against employees who raise concerns

In the case of California residents, the California Whistleblower Protection Act and other federal laws also provide them legal protection for being a whistleblower. The laws assure that employees who report such behavior will not be victimized or fired from their positions.

Steps to File a Whistleblower Claim in Los Angeles

1. Gather Evidence

It is crucial that before going for a claim, fully consider all evidence that you can get that would support the legal action you are intending to take. Examples of such supporting documents include:

• Emails, documents, or reports that show the source of wrongdoing,

• When and where such conversations occurred and the names of the persons involved.

• Systematic persecution, banishment, exclusion, or firing by an employer following statement of grievances

Constructing a foolproof whistleblower claim would require you to have substantiating evidence such as referred to above.

2. Report the Misconduct Internally

In many cases, employees start by reporting the issue internally to their supervisor or Human Resources (HR) department. This gives your employer a chance to address the problem. Make sure to file your complaint in writing and keep a copy for your records.

However, if you believe your employer will not act or if the misconduct involves high-level management, you may need to report the issue externally.

3. File a Formal Whistleblower Complaint

This is mainly the first step for most employees, where the employee goes to the immediate on-site supervisor or the HR Department to express their dissatisfaction. This grants your employer the opportunity to correct the grievance. You should ensure that your complaint is in writing, and it is always recommended to keep a copy of any document sent out.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) handles safety violations.

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deals with financial fraud.

• California Labor Commissioner investigates workplace retaliation and other labor law violations.

An experienced whistleblower attorney Los Angeles can guide you on which agency to file your complaint with and ensure all necessary documentation is in place.

4. Seek Legal Representation

Filing a whistleblower claim can be complex, especially if you’re dealing with a large organization. A whistleblower attorney Los Angeles will help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and ensure you are not retaliated against for speaking up. They can also help you pursue compensation if you’ve suffered damages due to retaliation.

How a Whistleblower Attorney Can Help

Protecting Your Identity

There are hundreds of thousands of employees that blow the whistle on the malpractice of their employers and organizations, and the prospect of becoming a ‘target’ is what drives most of them away, the most common ways being termination, demotion, or harassment. If ever you find yourself in such a situation, then allow a whistleblower attorney Los Angeles to ensure your anonymity during the process so that you are not afraid to report the wrongdoing.

Building a Strong Case

The facts of the case are most important, and most people ignore when they have to build a strong case because they lack the support of an experienced attorney. In their vast experience, attorneys have perfected these routines, so they will know which agency to file your complaint with and how to make it as compelling as possible. Their knowledge can be very useful in helping your claim succeed in court.

Fighting Retaliation

If the complainant has undergone any form of hatred after reporting the wrongdoing, the lawyer would report the employer to the appropriate authorities. In California, the law is quite clear on hate and discrimination. If you have been affected in any way, you have a right to be compensated.

Conclusion

Filing a whistleblower complaint is an essential measure in the fight against the mistreatment of employees and the preservation of public interest. Gathering the required documents, filing a report and settling on an attorney gives you a guarantee that your interests will be served in the course of the proceedings.

Cummings and Franck, PC, believe that employees from Los Angeles who are willing to become whistleblowers have a hard time and therefore will assist you in such complicated cases. For a review of your case involving a whistleblower complaint, call us on (213) 995-6132 or email lee@cummingsandfranck.com . As an accomplished whistleblower lawyer Los Angeles residents can trust, our expertise is all that you need.