Whistleblower Lawyer Detroit

‍You told the truth—and now you’re under attack.

You saw something wrong. You spoke up. Maybe it was fraud, discrimination, corruption, or a dangerous work environment. You did what your conscience told you to do.

Now your phone calls go unanswered. Your workload is unbearable. HR won’t look you in the eye. Or maybe you were pushed out altogether—fired, blacklisted, left with nothing.

This isn’t accountability. It’s retaliation. And it’s illegal.

Whistleblowers in Detroit face some of the harshest consequences for doing the right thing. From public agencies to private corporations, the message is often clear: stay silent, or suffer.

At Marko Law, we refuse to let that stand.

We are Detroit’s frontline defenders for whistleblowers—trial-tested, fearless, and unshakably loyal to the truth. We represent the city’s boldest truth-tellers: city employees, healthcare workers, engineers, police officers, teachers, auto industry professionals—anyone who stood up and got knocked down.

You already showed courage once. Now you need someone to show up for you.

What Is Whistleblowing?

In plain language, a whistleblower is someone who reports illegal, unethical, or dangerous behavior happening within their workplace, organization, or government body. You don’t need to be a lawyer, a manager, or a policymaker. You just need the courage to say: This isn’t right.

Whistleblowers are often the only thing standing between powerful institutions and unchecked abuse. They shine a light on what others want to keep hidden—and they do it knowing the risks.

At Marko Law, we represent Detroiters who blew the whistle on:

• Corporate or government fraud
  Falsifying records, stealing from taxpayers, overbilling Medicare or Medicaid, cooking the books for shareholders—fraud takes many forms, and if you reported it, you may be protected.
• Workplace discrimination or harassment
  Sexual harassment. Racist slurs. Unequal pay. Retaliation for standing up for yourself or others. These aren’t just HR issues—they’re legal violations.
• Health and safety code violations
  Whether in a hospital, construction site, factory, or office—when rules are ignored and lives are put at risk, speaking up is not just brave, it’s critical.
• Corruption and illegal business practices
  Kickbacks. Bribery. Embezzlement. Unlawful terminations. Misuse of government resources. Whistleblowers are often the first line of defense against institutional rot.

But let’s be real—blowing the whistle isn’t easy.

It can feel like you're standing alone against a machine. You worry about your job. Your future. Your family. You ask yourself: Is this worth it?

Yes. It is. Because without you, nothing changes.

And when you take that risk, you deserve more than silence or fear—you deserve protection, justice, and respect.

Signs of Workplace Retaliation

If your life at work changed suddenly after you reported wrongdoing, that’s not a coincidence. It’s retaliation. Employers don’t always retaliate openly. Most won’t admit they’re punishing you. Instead, they make your life miserable in ways that are hard to prove, but impossible to ignore.

At Marko Law, we know the playbook—and we know how to fight it.

Here are the most common signs of workplace retaliation we see from clients in Detroit:

Termination or Demotion

You’re let go “without cause” shortly after filing a report. Or you’re demoted into a meaningless role with no real responsibility. This is the most direct and damaging form of retaliation—and it’s illegal under both state and federal whistleblower laws.

Isolation and Harassment

Coworkers stop talking to you. You're left out of meetings. You’re reassigned to a different team. Suddenly, your work life becomes hostile, cold, and unbearable. It’s all part of a strategy to push you out—or break you down.

Negative Performance Reviews

After years of glowing feedback, you’re suddenly being written up. Your evaluations are tanked. You’re accused of errors or misconduct with no prior warning. These fake “paper trails” are often created to justify discipline or termination after you’ve blown the whistle.

Pay Cuts or Denied Promotions

Raises vanish. Bonuses are withheld. You’re passed over for promotions you were already promised. Your hours are slashed, or your job becomes financially unsustainable. They’ll say it’s “budgeting”—but you know it started the moment you spoke up.

Industry Blacklisting

You leave the job—or are forced out—and now no one will hire you. Calls don’t get returned. Interviews get canceled. Word spreads quietly that you’re “difficult” or “disloyal.” This silent punishment can destroy careers and reputations.

Your Legal Rights as a Whistleblower in Detroit

If you’re a whistleblower in Detroit, you’re not just protected by principles—you’re protected by law. Both Michigan and federal statutes make it clear: you cannot be fired, harassed, demoted, or punished for reporting illegal or unethical behavior.

But here’s what most employers won’t tell you: you only have a limited window to act. And once that clock runs out, so do your legal options.

Let’s break it down:

Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA)

The WPA is Michigan’s state law that protects employees who report a violation of law to a public body or participate in an investigation.

You are protected if you:

• Reported wrongdoing to your boss or an outside agency
• Were involved in a legal investigation or proceeding
• Refused to participate in illegal conduct

You are protected whether the law was actually broken or not— as long as you had a reasonable belief that something illegal was going on.

Important Deadline: Under the WPA, you must file a claim within 90 days of the retaliatory action. That’s three months. If you wait, your right to sue could disappear.

Federal Whistleblower Protections

In many cases, federal laws offer additional or overlapping protections, especially for specific industries and types of misconduct. Here's what you need to know:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

• Protects employees who report discrimination or harassment based on race, gender, religion, or national origin
• Also covers retaliation for speaking out about or opposing these unlawful practices

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act)

• Protects employees who report unsafe or hazardous working conditions
• Covers industries like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare
• Includes protections for reporting COVID-related safety violations

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

• Applies to employees of publicly traded companies or contractors
• Protects against retaliation for reporting financial fraud, securities violations, or shareholder deception

False Claims Act (FCA)

• Allows whistleblowers (often called "relators") to report fraud against the federal government
• Includes a “qui tam” provision, where whistleblowers may be eligible to receive a portion of the recovered funds—often millions

What to Do If You’re Facing Retaliation

Retaliation can happen fast. One day you’re being praised for your work. The next, you’re on probation, sidelined, or worse—unemployed. The most important thing you can do right now is protect yourself. Every move you make from here on out matters.

Here’s what you need to do—starting today:

Document Everything

Keep a paper trail. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Save:

• Emails, texts, or voicemails related to your report or any retaliation
• Performance reviews (before and after your complaint)
• Write-ups or warnings
• Notes from meetings or conversations
• Any witnesses or coworkers who can corroborate your story

Keep backups. Use personal email. Don’t rely on company systems.

Don’t Quit—Yet

We get it. You’re exhausted. You’re scared. You want out. But quitting can weaken your legal claim. Employers will argue that you left voluntarily, even if they pushed you to the edge.

Before you make any decisions, talk to a whistleblower attorney. Let us help you weigh your options—so you don’t give up your rights in the process.

Contact Marko Law Immediately

Retaliation cases have strict deadlines. Waiting even a few weeks can jeopardize your ability to file. The sooner we get involved, the faster we can protect your rights, build your case, and start fighting back.

We offer free, confidential consultations. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

You Spoke Up. Now Let Us Speak for You.

You already made the hardest decision—you told the truth.

You stood up when it would have been easier to stay silent. You called out wrongdoing, risked your job, your safety, and maybe even your future. You showed the kind of strength most people only talk about.

Now, your employer is trying to make you regret it.
We’re here to make them regret trying.

At Marko Law, we’ve made it our mission to protect Detroit’s whistleblowers—people just like you who were retaliated against for doing the right thing. We don’t shy away from a fight. We take on city governments, corporations, and state agencies. And we win.

If you’ve been punished for speaking out, you are not alone. We believe you. We’ll back you. And we’ll bring the full weight of our courtroom experience to your side.

Call to Action: Contact Marko Law Today

📣 Contact Marko Law for a Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com