Austin Whistleblower Attorneys

Hospital Whistleblowers

Residents of hospitals, mental health facilities, and other treatment centers are an especially vulnerable population. Neglect or abuse at the hands of their caretakers can create long-lasting or even deadly mental and physical health problems. For this reason Texas law provides protection for any hospital employee who speaks up about illegal or unethical behavior at his or her place of work.

Protected Behavior

A hospital employee who, in good faith, reports his or her employer's wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities is protected by state law. Who the appropriate authorities are can depend on the crime being committed and the person committing it; if you are not sure who to contact about illegal behavior at your workplace, an Austin employment attorney can help you decide.

"In good faith" means that the employee filing the report has reason to believe that his or her employer is committing a crime. Passing along hearsay or making a libelous claim against one's employer is not generally protected by hospital whistleblower laws.

Fighting Back

It is illegal for a hospital to harass or fire an employee as punishment for reporting illegal acts, or to intimidate the employee into dropping the complaint. A worker who has suffered this unjust treatment has the right to file a claim against the responsible entity. This claim can help end the harassing behavior or reinstate the employee at his or her job. It can also be possible to receive compensation for one's mistreatment, including lost wages.

Contact an Austin Employment Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been retaliated against for blowing the whistle on negligent hospital workers, contact Austin hospital whistleblower attorneys Melton & Kumler at 512-330-0017.