Whistleblower Lawyer
Seasoned legal representation for whistleblower and retaliation claims in Des Plaines and Hoffman Estates
There are dozens of laws which offer legal protections for reporting corporate fraud or other wrongdoing. Many of these laws include monetary incentives for whistleblower to encourage reporting, as well as steep damages provisions for companies found guilty of fraud. At MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, our experienced whistleblower lawyer have accrued over 150 years of collective experience as attorneys representing both employers and employees in lawsuits involving claims of whistleblowing and retaliation. Contact us for a consultation.
Whistleblower claim basics
The Illinois Whistleblower Act offers a number of protections to employees who believe they have evidence that fraud or lawbreaking is occurring at their place of employment. Under the Whistleblower Act, employers are barred from:
- Committing retaliation against an employee who reports information to a government or law enforcement agency when they hold a reasonable belief that a violation of federal or state law has occurred
- Committing retaliation against an employee who refuses to participate in an activity that would violate federal or state law, or
- Enacting any policy that prevents employees from disclosing a violation of federal or state law to a government office or to law enforcement
Retaliation can take many forms under the law, including excessive discipline, demotion, denial of a promotion, or termination. Employees who are found to have suffered retaliation for whistleblowing may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, attorneys’ fees, and, on some occasions, a portion of the recovery made against a company found to defraud the government.
In addition to Illinois’ Whistleblower Act, there are a number of laws that function within specific industries to protect employees from retaliation for reporting illegal acts in those fields and for seeking redress for violations of the law, including:
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) whistleblower protections
- Federal False Claims Act (FCA) or Qui Tam suits
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblower program
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower program
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) whistleblower provision
- The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) prevents retaliation based upon concerted activity in the workplace between employees
- The Illinois Educational Labor Relation Act and Public Labor Relations Act prevents retaliation based upon concerted activity among most public sector employees
- Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended)
- The Illinois Human Rights Act
- The Illinois Wage Theft Enforcement Act
- The Illinois tort of retaliatory discharge
- The Illinois tort of interference with prospective business advantage or employment contract
- The Illinois Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act
- The Employee Credit Privacy Act
- The Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act
- The Illinois Minimum Wage Act
- The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1866
Whistleblower claims are serious claims demanding experienced and knowledgeable legal representation
Whistleblowing can bring serious consequences both to employers and employees. Illinois employers facing a claim filed under the Illinois Whistleblower Act, the federal False Claims Act, or any of the countless additional whistleblower and retaliation laws, can face substantial financial liability if found guilty. Employees who uncover what they believe to be evidence of wrongful acts, who report illegal acts, or who are encouraged or ordered to commit illegal acts themselves, face a great deal of risk in reporting that wrongdoing. Employees might fear retaliation from their employer in the form of a demotion or harassment, even wondering if they could lose their job. The employment law attorneys at MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle understand the risks faced by both sides. We have cultivated a high level of respect in the Illinois legal field for our employment practice and have the experience, sophistication, and resources to take on even the most complex and high-stakes employee whistleblower claims. Let us serve as your trusted legal counsel on a whistleblower or retaliation claim.
Contact A Dedicated And Effective Whistleblower Lawyer
If you are facing claims related to the Whistleblower Act, False Claims Act, or other whistleblowing protections, or are an employee considering exercising your rights under a whistleblower law, contact a Illinois whistleblower lawyer at MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle for a consultation on your case, in Hoffman Estates at 847-310-0025, and in Des Plaines at 847-298-5030.
