You Did the Right Thing. Now Let Us Protect You.

Speaking up takes courage. Reporting fraud, refusing to break the law, complaining about harassment, filing for workers’ comp—these aren’t easy decisions. They can cost you your job, your reputation, your peace of mind.

But they’re the right decisions. And California law protects employees who make them.

If your employer retaliated against you for doing the right thing—fired you, demoted you, cut your pay, gave you bad assignments, or made your life miserable—that’s illegal. And we’re going to hold them accountable.

The California retaliation and whistleblower lawyers at Christopher Ellison Law stand with employees who refuse to be silenced. We fight back against employers who think they can punish you for speaking up. We make them pay for their illegal conduct—and we protect you in the process.

We represent whistleblowers and retaliation victims throughout California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County.

What Is Workplace Retaliation?

Retaliation happens when your employer punishes you for engaging in legally protected activity. It doesn’t have to be as obvious as firing you—retaliation takes many forms.

Retaliation includes:

• Termination or firing
• Demotion or reduction in responsibilities
• Pay cuts or denial of raises or bonuses
• Negative performance reviews (especially after positive ones)
• Transfer to worse position, shift, or location
• Exclusion from meetings, projects, or opportunities
• Increased scrutiny, micromanagement, or impossible standards
• Hostile treatment designed to force you out
• Blacklisting in your industry

The key question: Did your employer take adverse action against you because you engaged in protected activity? If yes, that’s illegal retaliation.

California Whistleblower Protections

California has some of the strongest whistleblower protections in the nation. We use every one of them to protect our clients.

California Labor Code Section 1102.5

The broadest whistleblower protection in California. You’re protected if you report—or refuse to participate in—any violation of state or federal law. It doesn’t matter if you reported internally, to a government agency, or even if your employer didn’t actually violate the law. What matters is that you reasonably believed something illegal was happening.

California Labor Code Section 98.6

Protects employees who file wage complaints with the Labor Commissioner. If you reported unpaid wages or other Labor Code violations and got punished for it, that’s illegal.

California Labor Code Section 6310

Protects employees who report workplace safety violations. You have the right to a safe workplace—and the right to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.

California Health and Safety Code Section 1278.5

Special protections for healthcare workers who report patient safety issues. Hospitals and healthcare facilities cannot punish you for protecting patients.

Types of Protected Activity

You’re protected from retaliation if you:

• Report violations of law to government agencies
• Report illegal conduct to your employer
• Refuse to participate in illegal activities
• File a workers’ compensation claim
• File a discrimination or harassment complaint
• Report workplace safety violations
• Request reasonable accommodations for disability
• Take FMLA, CFRA, or pregnancy leave
• Discuss wages or working conditions with coworkers
• Cooperate with government investigations
• Testify in legal proceedings
• Participate in union activities

If your employer punished you for any of these, we’ll make them pay.

Types of Retaliation Cases We Fight

Whistleblower Retaliation

You reported fraud, safety violations, regulatory violations, or other illegal activity. Your employer fired you, demoted you, or made your life miserable. That’s whistleblower retaliation, and it’s illegal.

We handle whistleblower cases involving:

• Fraud against the government
• Securities violations
• Healthcare fraud
• Environmental violations
• Safety violations
• Tax fraud
• Regulatory violations

Discrimination Complaint Retaliation

You reported discrimination or harassment—to HR, to management, or to a government agency. Your employer’s response was to punish you instead of the harasser. That’s illegal retaliation on top of the original discrimination.

Wage Complaint Retaliation

You complained about unpaid wages, overtime violations, or missed breaks. Your employer retaliated by firing you, cutting your hours, or making your job unbearable. They can’t do that.

OSHA Retaliation

You reported safety violations or refused to work in dangerous conditions. Your employer punished you for prioritizing safety. California and federal law prohibit this.

Workers’ Compensation Retaliation

You got injured at work. You filed a workers’ comp claim—as you’re legally entitled to do. Your employer fired you or punished you for it. That’s illegal.

FMLA/CFRA Leave Retaliation

You took medical or family leave, as the law allows. When you returned—or tried to return—your employer retaliated by demoting you, cutting your pay, or firing you. They broke the law.

Qui Tam and False Claims Act Cases

Have you discovered your employer is defrauding the government? You can blow the whistle—and get a financial reward for doing so.

What is a qui tam lawsuit?

A qui tam lawsuit allows private individuals to sue on behalf of the government when they discover fraud against government programs. The California False Claims Act and federal False Claims Act both authorize these lawsuits.

Whistleblower Rewards:

• If the government joins your case: 15% to 25% of the recovery
• If the government doesn’t join: 25% to 30% of the recovery

These cases often involve millions of dollars in fraud, which means significant rewards for whistleblowers.

Common qui tam cases:

• Medicare and Medicaid fraud
• Defense contractor fraud
• Government contract fraud
• Grant fraud
• Customs fraud

If you have evidence of fraud against the government, call us before you report it. We’ll help you maximize your protection and potential reward.

What You Can Recover

If you’ve been retaliated against, you may be entitled to:

Compensatory Damages:

• Back pay (wages you lost)
• Front pay (future wages you’ll lose)
• Lost benefits
• Emotional distress damages

Additional Remedies:

• Punitive damages (to punish your employer)
• Attorney fees and costs
• Reinstatement to your job

In qui tam cases, you may also receive a percentage of the government’s recovery—potentially hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

Statute of Limitations

Time limits are short. Don’t wait.

• Labor Code Section 1102.5 Claims: Three (3) years
• FEHA Retaliation Claims: One (1) year to file with CRD
• Wrongful Termination: Two (2) years
• OSHA Claims: Often 30 to 180 days depending on the statute

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my employer claims they fired me for performance reasons?

They always have an excuse. But if the “performance issues” suddenly appeared after you engaged in protected activity—or if you had good reviews until you spoke up—we can prove the excuse is pretextual. Timing is often the key evidence.

Do I have to prove my employer actually broke the law?

No. Under California law, you’re protected if you had a reasonable, good-faith belief that something illegal was happening. You don’t have to be right—you just have to have reasonably believed there was a violation.

Should I report internally first or go to a government agency?

It depends. Sometimes internal reporting creates a paper trail that helps your case. Other times—especially in qui tam cases—you should talk to a lawyer before reporting anywhere. Call us first and we’ll develop the right strategy.

What’s the difference between retaliation and wrongful termination?

Wrongful termination is being fired for illegal reasons, including discrimination. Retaliation is specifically being punished for engaging in protected activity. You can have both claims—and they often go together.

Can I stay anonymous if I report illegal activity?

Sometimes. Some agencies accept anonymous tips, and qui tam lawsuits are initially filed under seal. But if your case proceeds, your identity may eventually become known. We’ll help you weigh the options.

How much are qui tam whistleblower rewards?

Typically 15% to 30% of what the government recovers. In major fraud cases involving millions of dollars, that can mean hundreds of thousands or even millions for the whistleblower.

You Spoke Up. Now Let Us Speak for You.

Your employer thought they could scare you into silence. They thought punishing you would make the problem go away.

They were wrong.

Christopher Ellison Law fights for whistleblowers and retaliation victims who refuse to be intimidated. We make employers pay for their illegal conduct—and we protect you through every step of the process.

What You Get With Us:

• Whistleblower Expertise – We know California and federal whistleblower laws
• Qui Tam Experience – We handle False Claims Act cases with potential rewards
• No Upfront Costs – You pay nothing unless we win
• Statewide Coverage – Serving all of California
• Aggressive Protection – We fight back against retaliating employers
• Confidential Consultations – Your situation stays private

Our retaliation and whistleblower lawyers serve clients throughout California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County.

Christopher Ellison Law California Retaliation & Whistleblower Lawyer Serving All of California

You Spoke Up. We’ve Got Your Back.