Georgia is an “at will” employment state. Therefore, Georgia employers usually can fire their employees with or without cause. However, most Georgia employees are protected by federal and state laws that prohibit whistleblower retaliation. If your employer punished you for whistleblowing, you should contact the Georgia whistleblower lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers.
Our Atlanta employment dispute lawyers help whistleblowers achieve justice. Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you can fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.
What Laws Protect Georgia Whistleblowers?
The public employee whistleblower statute (O.C.G.A. § 45-1-4) and the Georgia Taxpayer Protection False Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122) protect Georgia whistleblowers. For instance, O.C.G.A. § 45-1-4 prohibits retaliation against public employees that expose waste, fraud, and abuse. Additionally, public employee whistleblower retaliation victims can recover damages. Those damages include:
- Job reinstatement;
- Restoration of full fringe benefits and seniority rights;
- Lost wages and benefits compensation;
- Other compensatory damages; and,
- Attorneys’ fees and costs
O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122 is a newer statute that encourages whistleblowers to expose fraud within the State and its political subdivisions – counties, municipalities, school districts, hospital authorities, and MARTA. Whistleblowers may receive at least 15 percent, but not more than 25 percent of the proceeds that the government recovers.
Any person with knowledge of fraud against Georgia or its political subdivisions is entitled to O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122’s protections, regardless of their employment status or industry. Moreover, O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122 immunizes whistleblowers from prosecution even if they misappropriated confidential documents.
Additionally, O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122 protects whistleblower retaliation victims. For instance, O.C.G.A. § 23-3-122 whistleblower retaliation victims can recover these damages:
- Reinstatement with same seniority status
- Two times back pay plus interest
- Compensation for special damages
Also, attorneys’ fees and costs are recoverable.
Our Georgia Whistleblower Lawyers Can Help You
The Georgia whistleblower attorneys at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers are committed to fight fraud.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Or, fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.
