Employee’s Rights Under Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act
Do you feel obligated to expose your employer for defrauding the government or profiting from ignoring important safety regulations, environmental rules, or other laws? Has your employer fired you, threatened you, or discriminated against you because you reported illegal activity or participated in an investigation into alleged violations of the law?
Were you harassed, demoted, or discharged because you were about to report health care fraud, safety violations or other criminal wrongdoing?
At the law firm of Miller Cohen, P.L.C., we have been standing up for the rights of employees, labor unions, and injured workers for decades. If you think you have a whistleblower claim, contact us for a free consultation with one of our experienced employment lawyers. Call us at 313-566-4787.
We know how to help you file a whistleblower claim, as well as hold an employer accountable for any illegal discrimination against whistleblowers.
What Is A Whistleblower Claim?
To encourage people to report fraud against American taxpayers, the False Claims Act enables ordinary citizens to bring lawsuits against people and companies who they believe have defrauded the federal government by submitting false claims for government funds. Under the qui tam part of the False Claims Act, the whistleblower (person who has exposed the fraud) is awarded a portion of the money recovered in a successful lawsuit. In Michigan, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act protects employees who report any type of actions that violate state or federal law.
Almost any employee in any industry might become aware that their employer or someone else was defrauding the government by submitting phony bills, billing for work that was never performed, or obtaining government goods or services to which they are not entitled. Some of the more common types of whistleblower claims relate to:
- Health care fraud, including Medicare fraud and Medicaid fraud
- Defense contractor fraud
- Construction contract fraud
- Tax fraud against the Internal Revenue Service
What Is Whistleblower Retaliation?
Retaliation against a whistleblower can be any adverse employment action, such as termination, demotion, threats of discharge, or unfair treatment just because you are a whistleblower.
What Can I Do If My Employer Retaliates Against Me For Filing A Whistleblower Claim?
Unless you knowingly made a false report, Michigan’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act shields you from retaliation and discrimination by your employer when you decide to “blow the whistle.” Federal law also protects whistleblowers against retaliatory actions.
Special Protections For Michigan Health Care Workers
Nurses, aides, and other employees of hospitals, nursing homes and health care providers who report illegal activity have special protections under the Michigan Health Facility Whistleblower Protection Act.
Remedies For Illegal Discrimination Against A Whistleblower
If your employer violates Michigan’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, you may be able to be reinstated (if you were fired). You may also recover back wages, fringe benefits, seniority rights, actual damages or any combination of these remedies. The court may also award some or all of your costs and attorney fees.
Contact Miller Cohen, P.L.C., Today To Discuss Your Whistleblower Claim
Contact our office today for more information about how we can help you file a whistleblower lawsuit or whistleblower retaliation claim. Because our fees are collected as a percentage of any settlement you receive, you’ll never have to worry about the cost of taking on your employer. Take control of the situation – contact Miller Cohen, P.L.C., today. To talk to a Michigan claims attorney, call our office in Detroit at 313-566-4787 or toll-free at 800-221-6021.