New York Whistleblower Attorney

At Hach & Rose, LLP, our New York whistleblower lawyers advise employees throughout the state who report conduct they reasonably believe violates the law, threatens public health or safety, or defrauds the government. Depending on the circumstances, those reports may be made internally to a supervisor or compliance department, or externally to a government agency responsible for investigating the issue.

We know that speaking up about illegal, unethical, or unsafe conduct at work is rarely an easy decision. You may worry that reporting misconduct will damage your career, strain workplace relationships, or even cost you your job. We evaluate retaliation claims and advocate for workers whose careers have been harmed for doing the right thing.

If you believe your employer retaliated against you after you reported misconduct—or if you are considering making a report and want to understand your legal rights first—Hach & Rose, LLP can help. We can explain the New York and federal laws that provide important protections for employees who report certain types of wrongdoing.

To discuss your situation with our New York whistleblower attorneys, call (212) 779-0057 for a free and confidential consultation.

Why Choose Hach & Rose, LLP for Your New York Whistleblower Case?

Reporting workplace misconduct often places employees in an extraordinarily difficult position. You may still be working for the employer you’re implicating, worried about retaliation, or uncertain whether the conduct you’ve witnessed actually violates the law. The decisions you make early in the process can have lasting legal and professional consequences.

For more than 25 years, Hach & Rose, LLP has represented New Yorkers in complex litigation involving employers, corporations, and other powerful organizations. Our employment attorneys understand that whistleblower cases require more than knowledge of retaliation laws—they require careful planning, strategic advocacy, and the ability to protect clients through investigations, negotiations, and, when necessary, litigation.

Every whistleblower case presents different challenges. Some employees need guidance before making a report. Others have already experienced retaliation and want to understand whether they have a legal claim. Our role is to evaluate your circumstances, explain the protections that may apply, and develop a strategy tailored to your goals.

When you work with Hach & Rose, LLP, we can:

• Evaluate whether your report is protected under New York or federal law.
• Develop a legal strategy based on your circumstances.
• Negotiate with employers or government agencies when appropriate.
• Represent you throughout administrative proceedings and litigation.

Whether your concerns involve a private employer, a publicly traded corporation, a healthcare provider, or another regulated industry, we are committed to protecting your rights and helping you make informed decisions. Call us for a free consultation. There’s no risk since you pay no fee unless we win.

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What Is a Whistleblower Claim?

Whistleblower claims commonly involve healthcare fraud, securities violations, unsafe working conditions, misuse of government funds, and other conduct that violates the law or poses a risk to the public.

Examples may include reporting:

• Healthcare fraud involving false billing or patient safety concerns.
• Financial or securities fraud affecting investors or government programs.
• Unsafe working conditions that place employees or the public at risk.
• Violations of environmental, labor, or consumer protection laws.
• Misuse of government funds or fraudulent government contracts.

In many situations, employees are protected even if an investigation ultimately determines that no violation occurred, provided they reasonably believed they were reporting unlawful conduct.

What Whistleblower Protection Laws Apply in New York?

Several state and federal laws protect employees who report misconduct. Which law applies depends on the type of wrongdoing, the employer involved, and where the report is made.

New York Labor Law § 740

New York Labor Law § 740 is the state’s primary whistleblower protection statute. It protects many employees who report or object to conduct they reasonably believe violates a law, rule, or regulation and creates a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The law also protects employees who refuse to participate in certain unlawful activities.

If an employer retaliates by firing, demoting, disciplining, or otherwise penalizing an employee for engaging in protected activity, the employee may have a claim under the statute.

New York Labor Law § 741

Healthcare workers receive additional protections under New York Labor Law § 741.

This statute applies to many employees working in hospitals, medical practices, nursing facilities, and other healthcare settings who report practices they reasonably believe constitute improper patient care or threaten patient safety.

Because New York’s healthcare industry is one of the largest in the country, these protections are particularly important for physicians, nurses, technicians, and other medical professionals who advocate for patient welfare.

New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL)

Employees working in New York City may also be protected by the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), which contains broad anti-retaliation provisions that protect employees who oppose or report conduct they reasonably believe violates the law. In many situations, these protections are better than comparable federal or state employment laws, making them an important consideration when evaluating a retaliation claim.

Federal Whistleblower Programs

In addition to New York law, several federal statutes protect whistleblowers and, in some situations, provide financial awards to individuals whose reports lead to successful government enforcement actions.

False Claims Act (FCA)

The Federal False Claims Act allows private individuals to bring qui tam lawsuits on behalf of the government involving fraud against federal programs. Eligible whistleblowers may receive 15% to 30% of the government’s recovery and protection against retaliation.

SEC Whistleblower Program

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Whistleblower Program encourages individuals to report violations of federal securities laws, including investment fraud, accounting fraud, insider trading, and misleading financial disclosures.

When an enforcement action results in monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million, eligible whistleblowers may receive an award of 10% to 30% of the amount collected. Federal law also provides important protections against retaliation for employees who report qualifying securities violations.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Whistleblower Program

Employees with information about significant tax fraud may also qualify for protection under the IRS Whistleblower Program. When the Internal Revenue Service successfully recovers unpaid taxes, penalties, or other proceeds based on a qualifying report, eligible whistleblowers may receive an award of 15% to 30% of the amount collected.

Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank

Employees of publicly traded companies may also have rights under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. These laws protect employees who report securities fraud, accounting misconduct, shareholder fraud, and other financial wrongdoing.

Depending on the circumstances, employees may be protected for making internal reports, cooperating with investigations, or reporting violations directly to federal regulators.

What Counts as Protected Whistleblower Activity?

Protected whistleblower activity extends beyond filing formal complaints with government agencies. Depending on the law involved, employees may be protected for reporting concerns internally, refusing to participate in illegal conduct, or cooperating with investigations.

Protected activity may include:

• Reporting misconduct to a government agency, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), SEC, IRS, or another agency with enforcement authority.
• Reporting concerns internally to a supervisor, manager, human resources department, compliance officer, or ethics hotline.
• Refusing to participate in conduct you reasonably believe is illegal or fraudulent.
• Cooperating with a government investigation by providing documents, testimony, or other information.
• Testifying or participating in a legal or administrative proceeding involving alleged misconduct.

Not every complaint qualifies for legal protection. The applicable law often depends on what was reported, who received the report, and whether the employee reasonably believed the conduct violated the law. Speaking with our New York whistleblower lawyers before taking action can help you understand which protections may apply to your situation.

What Does Whistleblower Retaliation Look Like?

Retaliation is not always immediate or obvious. While some employees are terminated shortly after reporting misconduct, others experience more subtle forms of workplace retaliation that gradually affect their careers.

Examples of unlawful retaliation may include:

Retaliation is not always immediate. A pattern of worsening treatment following a protected report may help establish an unlawful motive.

What Compensation May Be Available in a New York Whistleblower Case?

If your employer unlawfully retaliated against you for engaging in protected whistleblower activity, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the financial and personal harm you suffered.

Depending on which laws apply, available remedies may include:

The remedies available depend on the specific statute involved and the facts of each case.

Filing Deadlines Can Affect Your Rights

Whistleblower claims are governed by strict deadlines, and those deadlines differ depending on the law under which your claim arises. For example:

• New York Labor Law § 740: Generally, one year from the retaliatory action.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): Generally, 180 days from the retaliatory action.
• False Claims Act retaliation claims: Generally, three years.
• Certain SEC and Dodd-Frank claims: May allow significantly longer filing periods in appropriate circumstances.

These deadlines usually begin running when the retaliatory action occurs—not when you later learn that your employer’s conduct may have violated the law. Reach out to our NY whistleblower attorneys quickly to help preserve your legal options and important evidence.

How Hach & Rose, LLP Can Help Whistleblowers

At Hach & Rose, LLP, we help clients understand both the legal protections available to them and the practical realities of pursuing a whistleblower claim. Depending on your circumstances, our attorneys can:

• Evaluate whether your concerns are protected under New York or federal whistleblower laws.
• Explain the advantages and potential risks of internal and external reporting.
• Advise you on preserving documents, communications, and other evidence that may support your claim.
• Represent you during investigations, administrative proceedings, and settlement negotiations.
• Pursue litigation when an employer retaliates or refuses to resolve a valid claim fairly.

Whether your case is resolved through negotiation, administrative proceedings, or litigation, Hach & Rose, LLP works to protect your rights and your professional future.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Whistleblower Laws

Speak With a New York Whistleblower Lawyer at Hach & Rose, LLP Today

Reporting workplace misconduct should not mean sacrificing your career. If you believe your employer retaliated against you for reporting illegal or unsafe conduct—or if you are considering making a protected disclosure and want to understand your rights—experienced legal guidance can make an important difference.

At Hach & Rose, LLP, we help employees evaluate whistleblower claims under New York and federal law, explain the protections that may apply, and advocate for clients throughout investigations, settlement negotiations, and litigation. Whether your concerns involve healthcare fraud, securities violations, government contracting, financial misconduct, or another form of unlawful activity, our attorneys can help you understand your options.

Call (212) 779-0057 today for a confidential consultation with our team and learn how our New York whistleblower lawyers can help protect your rights and your future. Since you pay no fee unless we win, there’s no upfront financial obligation.

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