Penn State College, PA Workplace Whistleblower Retaliation Attorney

While it takes courage to come forward and denounce misconduct occurring in your workplace, anyone who has been a whistleblower will tell you that the experience can be extremely frightening. With the support of an experienced workplace whistleblower retaliation attorney, you can navigate through this process and recover any economic or non-economic losses, even in the face of the most vindictive forms of retaliation.

Whether you were fired or threatened with a series of legal actions, no one who does their duty and reports potentially illegal or unsafe practices in the workplace should suffer retaliatory actions. Most whistleblowers work up the bravery to speak up out of concern for others or cooperate with the authorities during an official investigation. Anyone in that situation needs an attorney with substantial experience effectively fighting for the rights of whistleblowers.

If you or someone you know is facing whistleblower retaliation in State College, PA, contact the law office of Andrew Shubin. He is known as a principled and effective lawyer with a track record of favorable outcomes, even in the most complicated cases. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us at (814) 826-3586.

Overview of Whistleblower Laws in Penn State College, PA

Most states have whistleblower laws that prohibit employers from terminating employees in retaliation for reporting misconduct. There are also laws giving individuals the right to bring a claim of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy.

The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating if an employee made a good faith report of wrongdoing or waste. In Pennsylvania, the law applies to public officials employed within the any of the state’s governmental bodies. However, there have been cases where this law has been extended to private entities that receive significant funds from public sources. Also, private contractors and at-will employees doing business with the state of Pennsylvania fall within the definition of “public officials” entitled to receive protection under this law.

Whistleblower statutes typically protect employees only if they have a reasonable basis in fact and law for believing that the employer was engaged in an illegal act. With the guidance of a skilled attorney, you can make informed decisions regarding an employer’s wrongful actions and the options available in the face of retaliatory measures.

What Defines a Whistleblower in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act defines a whistleblower as a person who witnesses or has evidence of some kind of wrongdoing on the part of their employer and who reports that wrongdoing in good faith to their superiors or an appropriate authority.

There are various complex legal concepts that tie into this definition, including the technical uses of “witness,” “evidence,” “good faith,” and “wrongdoing.” While these may seem self-explanatory, they can become essential to a legal argument in the event that a company wants to dispute the application of whistleblower protections.

With his decades of experience, attorney Andrew Shubin will not stand for these underhanded tactics. Depending on your circumstances, an attorney can give you a greater understanding of these issues as they pertain to your particular circumstances.

Anyone contemplating the filing of a whistleblower lawsuit in State College is required to prove their allegations according to a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This means that the whistleblower has to provide convincing information showing that their allegations are more likely than not. A qualified attorney can explain what steps and types of information are needed to meet the preponderance evidence legal standard. In turn, the employer has to prove that the actions taken against the employee were for reasons other than their report.

Federal Whistleblower Protections

Federal whistleblower protections guard federal employees who make disclosures indicating illegal or improper government activities. Various other federal statutes and organizations also contain provisions that protect employees who blow the whistle, including:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA
• The Dodd-Frank Act (banking)
• The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (accounting)

If your employer is regulated under any of these, an attorney can guide you regarding the legal causes of action you can pursue and how these are likely to develop in Pennsylvania.

There are also instances when a whistleblower’s claim is related to the exercise of his or her First Amendment rights. If this is the case and you have been subjected to suspension him and/or termination, you may be entitled to financial recovery for the losses that resulted from your employer’s violation of your rights.

Call a Reliable State College, PA Whistleblower Retaliation Lawyer

Most whistleblowers suffer significant salary losses and harm to their career opportunities, good name, and reputation. With the assistance of a skilled whistleblower attorney in Pennsylvania, you can file a civil lawsuit to recover for these losses. If your employer has harmed your reputation and career prospects, attorney Andrew Shubin can protect your rights under the law and fight to help you recover any losses. To schedule a free and prompt consultation with an accomplished whistleblower retaliation legal team, contact us at (814) 826-3586.