Whistleblower Claims

Numerous federal and state laws prohibit an employer from retaliating against a worker for reporting certain violations to government investigators. Some of those statutes include:

Federal Laws

  • Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) (1970)
  • Asbestos Hazard Emergency Responses Act (AHREA) (1986)
  • International Safe Container Act (ISCA) (1977)
  • Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) (1982)
  • Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (1974)
  • Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (1972)
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (1976)
  • Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) (1976)
  • Clean Air Act (CAA) (1977)
  • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (1980)
  • Energy Reorganization Act (ERA) (1974)
  • Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21) (2000)
  • Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) (2002)
  • Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) (2002)
  • Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA)
  • National Transit Systems Security Act (NTSSA)
  • Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) (2008)
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA) (2010)
  • Seaman's Protection Act (SPA) (2010)
  • Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) (2010)
  • FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (2011)
  • Section 31307 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (2012)


State Laws

  • Worker and Community Right to Know Act (WCRKA) (1984)
  • Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act (MFFCA) (2012)
  • Washington Minimum Wage Act (WMWA) (1961)
  • Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act of 1973 (WISHA) (1973)
  • Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) (1949)
  • RCW 51.48.025 (Prohibition against retaliation for exercising certain rights under Washington Industrial Insurance Act)
  • RCW 49.76.120 (Prohibition against retaliation for taking leave related to domestic violence)
  • RCW 19.30.200 (Prohibition against retaliating for exercising rights against farm labor contractors)
  • RCW 74.34.180 (Prohibition against retaliating against a worker for reporting abuse of vulnerable adults)
  • RCW 70.124.100 (Prohibition against retaliating against a worker for reporting abuse of a mentally ill patient in a state hospital)
  • RCW 2.36.165 (Prohibition against retaliating against a worker for jury service)
  • RCW 42.40.050 (Prohibition against retaliating against a state worker for reporting another state worker's gross waste of public funds, violation of federal or state law, endangerment of public health or safety, gross mismanagement or impeding dissemination of scientific opinion)


This list is not exhaustive. Having the help of a qualified lawyer to identify which laws apply to your situation is wise. Call Kennewick, WA's Adam R. Pechtel at 509-586-3091 today.

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