CEPA Claims
Contact Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Passaic County, Union County Employment Law Attorney for a Free Consultation
The New Jersey legislature passed the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) which is known as the New Jersey State Whistleblower Act. NJSA 34:19-1 through NJSA 34:19-8. This law make its illegal for any employer to take any retaliatory action against an employee if the employee reports illegal conduct of the company itself or a co-employee. The law provides an avenue for an employee to attempt to correct a wide variety of corporate misconduct from illegal activity (whether or not criminal in nature such as in the health care industry poor patient care) to deceptive behavior with respect to shareholders, investors, employees and even former employees.
This law has broad scope and has reporting requirements for the protections to attach to an employee. The employee need not prove the company or co-employee whose conduct was concerning actually committed the wrongful action. Further, as a penalty for the corporate retaliation if the employee satisfies the requirements of the Act, the employer must pay the attorney fees and costs of the employee in addition to other damages. If you have been disciplined, demoted, not promoted or wrongfully terminated due to your concern that your employer or a co-employee was acting improperly then you need a free legal consultation and should call us.
Contacting an attorney in these instances is critically since the CEPA law provides for a one year statute of limitation. The one year time period may begin to run on the date of termination. Therefore, it is crucial that a victim of retaliation seek legal counsel immediately.
This laws exist to make sure that employees who report illegal conduct are not retaliated against or punished. This law requires the employer to pay the employee’s attorney fees and costs in cases where the employer acted illegally and violated this law. Therefore, you may be able to retain legal counsel on a contingency basis and/or at no out of pocket cost to you until the litigation ends.
Contact Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Passaic County, Union County Employment Law Attorney for a Free Consultation
The employment law attorneys of Sheffet & Dvorin, PC will answer your questions and help you navigate the employment related laws of the United States and New Jersey. The firm offers a free consultation regarding all employment law matters. Contact us to learn more.
