Chicago, IL trial attorney Michael Leonard talks about whistleblower lawsuits. He explains that whistleblower lawsuits can be classified into two primary categories. He explains that whistleblower lawsuits can generally be categorized in two ways. First, there are state and federal statutes that allow individuals to come forward with information indicating that a company or individual is defrauding the government or the public. These statutes are designed to incentivize whistleblowers by permitting them to share in any recovery—sometimes up to 30 percent of a settlement or judgment—while supporting the government’s or public’s interest in preventing fraud.

The second type of whistleblower case, more common at the state level, involves an individual reporting illegal activity internally within a company and subsequently facing retaliation, such as termination. In these cases, he frequently represents clients pursuing claims of retaliation arising from their whistleblowing activities, ensuring that their rights are protected under applicable employment and whistleblower laws.