Whistleblower Protection Attorney Detroit

You did what was right—you spoke up. Maybe you reported safety violations at a Detroit auto plant, uncovered discrimination in a city department, or brought attention to unethical billing practices at a hospital. Instead of being thanked, you were punished.

Retaliation after doing the right thing isn’t just unfair—it’s devastating. It shakes your sense of safety, your trust in your employer, and your ability to provide for your family. You might be facing humiliation, fear, and uncertainty every time you walk through those doors—or wondering what happens next if you’ve already lost your job.

It’s a reality for hardworking people across Detroit—from assembly line workers and healthcare professionals to public servants and educators. They all have one thing in common: they refused to look the other way, and now they’re paying for it.

At Marko Law, we see your courage. We stand with you. As one of Detroit’s leading civil rights and employment law firms, our mission is to protect those who tell the truth when others stay silent.

Led by Attorney Jon Marko, an award-winning trial lawyer and nationally recognized National Law Journal “Employment & Discrimination Law Trailblazer,” Marko Law has a proven record of fighting—and winning—for whistleblowers. Jon’s victories include a record-breaking $11.6 million employment retaliation verdict, one of the largest of its kind in Michigan history.

If you’ve been punished for exposing wrongdoing, you’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. Marko Law will fight to make things right.

What the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) Does

The Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) exists to ensure that employees who report illegal or unethical behavior aren’t left defenseless. It’s the law’s way of saying: you shouldn’t have to choose between your job and your conscience.

The WPA applies to public and private sector employees across Michigan, including those working right here in Detroit. It protects workers who report—or plan to report—violations of law, rules, or regulations to a public body such as law enforcement, a state agency, or internal management.

Key protections under the WPA include:

• Employers cannot fire, demote, discipline, or retaliate against an employee who lawfully reports misconduct.
• Protection applies whether you report internally (to HR, management, or compliance) or externally (to police, regulators, or other authorities).
• You must act quickly—employees have only 90 days from the retaliatory act to file a claim.

That 90-day window moves fast. Missing it can mean losing your right to take action, so timing is critical.

For an official overview of the law, visit the Michigan Civil Rights Department. But remember: understanding the law is one thing—proving retaliation is another. That’s where Marko Law comes in.

We help Detroit workers stand up to powerful employers and hold them accountable when they break the law. Because no one should lose their livelihood for telling the truth.

Recognizing Retaliation in Detroit Workplaces

Retaliation doesn’t always look like being escorted out of the building. Often, it’s quieter—and more calculated.

Here are the most common warning signs that your employer might be retaliating against you:

• Sudden termination or demotion after reporting misconduct.
• Unexplained negative performance reviews after years of strong results.
• Being cut out of meetings, projects, or communications you once led.
• Increased scrutiny or micromanagement designed to make your work life miserable.
• A hostile or intimidating environment meant to drive you to quit.
• Industry blacklisting or damaged reputation, especially if you work in a tight-knit field.

These tactics are meant to isolate you—to make you question yourself and your rights. But retaliation, no matter how subtle, is illegal under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act.

Common Industries for Whistleblower Retaliation in Detroit:

Detroit’s diverse workforce sees whistleblower cases across nearly every field:

• Automotive & Manufacturing: Workers reporting safety violations, OSHA issues, or wage theft.
• Healthcare: Nurses and administrators exposing Medicare fraud or unsafe patient conditions.
• Public Agencies & Schools: Employees speaking out against discrimination, corruption, or misuse of public funds.

At Marko Law, we’ve gone up against some of Michigan’s largest and most powerful employers—and won. Our attorneys successfully represented whistleblowers in landmark cases, including a record verdict against the Michigan Department of Corrections for employees who faced retaliation and discrimination.

These aren’t just cases to us. They’re about protecting integrity, restoring lives, and proving that justice still matters in Michigan’s workplaces.

If you’ve noticed retaliation brewing where you work—don’t ignore it. The law is on your side, and Marko Law is ready to stand beside you.

How to Prove a Whistleblower Retaliation Claim

Standing up to your employer takes courage — but proving retaliation under Michigan law takes strategy, evidence, and experience. The Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) lays out clear legal standards, but employers rarely admit to retaliation outright. Instead, they try to cover their tracks. That’s why knowing what to prove — and how — is critical.

To win a whistleblower retaliation claim, your case must show three key elements:

1. You engaged in a protected activity.
   You either reported or were about to report a legal violation, such as fraud, discrimination, safety issues, or corruption. Even if you simply intended to report, you’re still protected under the WPA.
2. Your employer knew or suspected you did.
   Your employer must have been aware — or believed — that you made or planned a report. Knowledge or suspicion of your actions triggers legal protection.
3. You were retaliated against because of it.
   Finally, there must be a direct connection between your report and the retaliation — such as being demoted, fired, or harassed afterward. Timing, patterns of behavior, and internal communications often reveal this link.

Evidence That Strengthens Your Case

Building a strong whistleblower claim requires documentation and witnesses that paint a clear picture of retaliation. Some of the most persuasive evidence includes:

• Emails, text messages, or internal memos showing hostility, exclusion, or disciplinary action after your report.
• Witness statements from coworkers or supervisors who saw or overheard retaliation or management discussions about your complaint.
• HR records, performance reviews, or meeting notes that suddenly turned negative after your report.
• Patterns of subtle mistreatment, such as being left out of meetings, losing responsibilities, or being written up for minor infractions.

Retaliation doesn’t always happen overnight — sometimes it’s a series of small, connected actions designed to push you out quietly. Michigan law recognizes these patterns as retaliation, even if they occur over time.

The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. At Marko Law, our legal team knows how to identify retaliation, preserve critical evidence, and build a compelling case before employers have the chance to destroy records or rewrite history.

If you think your employer is retaliating against you, don’t wait — every day counts.

Why You Need a Detroit Whistleblower Attorney

When you go up against your employer, you’re not fighting on level ground. Companies often have entire legal teams—plus insurance lawyers—working behind the scenes to protect them. They’ll try to discredit you, twist your words, and bury the truth.

That’s why you need a law firm that knows how to fight back — and win.

At Marko Law, we’ve spent years representing Detroit employees who faced retaliation after speaking up. We don’t just negotiate quick settlements; we prepare every case for trial, ensuring that your employer knows you mean business.

Our founder, Attorney Jon Marko, has built a career taking on some of the most powerful entities in Michigan — including the City of Detroit, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and major corporations. His work has resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for whistleblowers and employees who refused to be silenced.

Jon Marko has been nationally recognized by the National Law Journal as an “Employment & Discrimination Law Trailblazer,” honoring attorneys who reshape the landscape of workplace justice through bold litigation.

Our philosophy is simple:

“At Marko Law, we don’t settle for silence. We fight for justice.”

When your integrity is under attack, you deserve a team that will stand beside you every step of the way — from the first consultation to the final verdict.

Damages Available Under the Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act

When your employer retaliates against you, the damage can ripple through every part of your life — your career, your finances, and your mental health. The Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) allows victims to pursue significant compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

You may be entitled to recover:

• Lost wages and benefits:
  Compensation for the paychecks, bonuses, and benefits you lost due to retaliation.
• Emotional distress damages:
  Recovery for the pain, anxiety, and humiliation of being punished for doing what’s right.
• Attorney’s fees and litigation costs:
  The WPA allows reimbursement of your legal expenses so that fighting back doesn’t come at your expense.
• Punitive damages:
  In cases of egregious or malicious conduct, Michigan law allows additional damages to punish your employer and deter future misconduct (Cornell Law explanation).
• Reinstatement or front pay:
  You may be reinstated to your job or awarded future pay if returning to your former position isn’t possible.

At Marko Law, we don’t just seek compensation — we fight to restore dignity, accountability, and justice. Our Detroit whistleblower attorneys have proven time and again that integrity can prevail, even against the most powerful employers.

 You Did the Right Thing. Now Let Us Make It Right.

Doing the right thing should never cost you your job, your peace, or your future. But when it does, you need a law firm that knows how to fight — and win.

At Marko Law, we stand with whistleblowers across Detroit and all of Michigan who’ve been punished for speaking the truth. We’ve taken on state agencies, major corporations, and city governments — and won.

You don’t have to face retaliation alone. Our attorneys will fight to protect your career, your reputation, and your peace of mind. Whether you were wrongfully fired, demoted, or harassed, we’ll make sure your voice is heard — loud and clear.

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