At LG Law LLC, we proudly serve the Kansas City public by helping whistleblowers understand and enforce their legal rights. Whether you're exposing fraud, safety violations, or other illegal practices, both federal and Missouri laws offer robust protections against retaliation. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering blowing the whistle.

Federal Whistleblower Protections

The federal government has passed several laws to shield whistleblowers who report illegal or unethical activities. These include:

• The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA): Applies to federal employees who report misconduct such as abuse of authority, gross waste of funds, or violations of laws.
• The False Claims Act (FCA): Allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against companies that defraud federal programs. Whistleblowers (also called "relators") can receive a portion of the recovered damages.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): Protects workers who report unsafe working conditions or violations of safety standards.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Shields employees of publicly traded companies who report securities fraud or violations of financial regulations.

Under these statutes, whistleblowers are protected from actions such as termination, demotion, harassment, or discrimination. If retaliation occurs, individuals may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages.

Missouri State Whistleblower Protections

Missouri law also recognizes and supports whistleblowers:

• Missouri Public and Private Employment Law Protections: Missouri courts allow wrongful discharge claims when an employee is terminated for refusing to violate the law or reporting a violation of law or public policy.
• Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA): Offers protection when employees report discriminatory practices in the workplace.
• State-specific statutes: Some Missouri laws, such as those governing Medicaid fraud or environmental violations, include whistleblower provisions with anti-retaliation safeguards.

It's important to note that Missouri is an at-will employment state. This means an employer can generally fire an employee for any reason—but not for retaliating against protected whistleblowing activity.

How LG Law LLC Can Help

If you’re considering reporting wrongdoing or are already facing retaliation, LG Law LLC is here to provide guidance. We help Kansas City workers evaluate the risks and navigate the legal procedures to ensure their rights are upheld. Whistleblowing takes courage—having a legal ally makes a difference.