Dallas Metro Attorney Working to Protect Compliance Officer Whistleblowers

TEXAS LAWYER HELPS EMPLOYEES FACING RETALIATION FOR REVEALING THE TRUTH

Compliance officers serve an important role in businesses, warning both their own companies and the public of fraud or illegal behavior within an organization. As a compliance officer, your primary role is to conduct audits and alert your employer of any problems you discover. When you are ignored by management, however, you have a duty to protect your company and the public. This often leads to conflict with management — and sometimes even unlawful retaliation such as firing or demotion. Attorney Steve Kardell puts his Whistleblower Law experience to work to protect compliance officers by helping them bring claims for compensation under the law. If you are the victim of whistleblower retaliation, turn to our respected firm.

WHICH ANTI-RETALIATION LAWS PROTECT COMPLIANCE OFFICERS?

Compliance officers have a variety of legal protections, such as:

  • The False Claims Act. This whistleblower law includes a qui tam provision, which allows a private citizen with knowledge of fraud against the government to initiate a lawsuit and share in the government’s recovery of damages. This act frequently applies in Medicare fraud cases and other situations involving government contracts.
  • The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This law specifically shields those who cooperate with law enforcement officers investigating fraud or federal offenses. These cases often involve the reporting of false earnings to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and shareholders.
  • The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This law provides financial incentives and protections for whistleblowers to report violations of securities law to the SEC. Those who report violations under the Dodd-Frank Act can receive awards between 10 percent and 30 percent of the monetary sanctions the agency collects as a result of the information.

Additional protections exist for whistleblowers in a variety of industries. For example, whistleblowers in the aviation industry who reveal a violation of airline safety regulations are protected from retaliation as are those in the nuclear industry who report safety concerns or instances of violations of the law. The Surface Transportation Assistance Act protects truck drivers who cooperate with government officials or refuse to violate safety standards. With more than 35 years of experience, attorney Steve Kardell represents compliance officers and whistleblowers in all industries.

DAMAGE RECOVERY AND PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION

Under whistleblower law, compliance officers and others who make a protected disclosure or report wrongdoings to superiors are generally protected from discrimination and other forms of retaliation such as:

  • Discipline
  • Firing
  • Reduction of pay or hours
  • Demotion
  • Denial of benefits

Attorney Steve Kardell works with clients in the Dallas area who have been mistreated for telling the truth and following the law. Compliance officers who face retaliation for lawful actions may be entitled to compensation for back pay, for harm to their professional reputation and for emotional distress. Other remedies may also include reinstatement by an employer or rewards from government agencies.

Contact an experienced whistleblower protection attorney in Dallas

Compliance officers who have faced retaliation for alerting the public or the government of inappropriate conduct under whistleblower laws require representation from a dedicated and knowledgeable attorney. For guidance and advice about whistleblower retaliation issues, call today at 214-306-8045 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with Texas attorney Steve Kardell.