Sanford Whistleblower Lawyer

Trusted Sanford Whistleblower Attorney

Knowing when to do the right thing can be one of the hardest decisions you ever make in your life. Sometimes, it can be difficult to even know what the right thing is. If your employer approaches you with an offer to commit an illegal act for the company, or if you catch your employer engaging in illegal activities, reporting those actions can be a hard but necessary choice to make. You should contact a Sanford whistleblower lawyer if you face retaliation.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A. knows how emotional and unpredictable whistleblower cases can become. Florida’s whistleblower laws protect public and private sector employees alike from retaliatory actions after reporting certain activities. It’s recommended that you hire a Sanford whistleblower attorney to help you through the process of protecting yourself. Gary A. Costales can bring years of experience to your case.

What Is Whistleblowing in Florida?

Whistleblowing refers to the act of reporting your employer’s unlawful activities, such as fraud or public health and safety violations. Generally, employees who report such incidents in good faith to the right people are protected by the state’s whistleblower protection laws. Retaliation against a whistleblower is common nationwide. In 2025, there were 4,728 reported incidents of workplace retaliation in Florida.

Whistleblowing is not a rare occurrence. People take action to report their employer’s illegal actions all the time. In 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received over 27,000 whistleblower tips from all around the world, with the majority coming from within the United States. If you uncover illegal activity in your workplace, the first thing you should do is hire a whistleblower lawyer to find out what your options are and how you can protect yourself.

What to Do in a Whistleblower Case in Florida

If you choose to move forward with legal action in a whistleblower case in Sanford, the 18^th Judicial District Court of Florida, Seminole County Circuit Court, handles these cases if you are filing under the state’s whistleblower act. This court is located on Eslinger Way in the Sanford Criminal Justice Center. If you’re reporting a federal-level case, the U.S. Court for the Middle District of Florida handles these cases out of Orlando.

Choosing to pursue a whistleblower case against your employer can be an overwhelming situation, especially if your employer has already retaliated against you. It’s important that you take the right steps to protect not just yourself, but your claim. Some actions your attorney can take to help protect your rights are listed below:

• Consult with a lawyer. Connecting with a skilled Sanford whistleblower attorney can make a difference in your case. If you discover that your employer is involved in something illegal, you should speak with an employment lawyer immediately. Do this before you bring your concerns to your company’s HR department or to your direct supervisor. A good lawyer can inform you of your position and suggest your next steps.
• Document everything. Leave no stone unturned. You can never have too much evidence in a case like this. Collect every bit of evidence you can find, even if you think it might not be relevant. Let your lawyer decide that for you. You need to find evidence that supports your initial whistleblowing claims and proves any retaliatory actions your employer has taken, including texts, emails, voicemails, financial records, and contracts.
• Report the incident properly. Reporting the incident through the proper channels is arguably the most important part of your case. Depending on the details of the incident, you have options on how to proceed. It’s recommended that you file a written complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations or a relevant regulatory government agency, such as OSHA or the SEC.

FAQs

What Qualifies as a Whistleblower Complaint?

A whistleblower complaint involves disclosing a specific credible bit of information that proves your company or an individual within that company is violating the law, engaging in fraudulent behavior, wasting funds, or even creating dangers to health and safety. To be legally protected under state or federal whistleblower laws, you need to make the disclosure in good faith and to the correct authorized agency. A lawyer can advise you on how to proceed.

What Is the Whistleblower Act in Florida?

There are two primary whistleblower protection acts in Florida. The Florida Whistleblower’s Act protects public employees, such as state, county, and local government workers. The Private Sector Whistleblower’s Act provides similar protections for employees in the private sector. Both pieces of legislation give protection to employees who do the right thing and report illegal activity that their employers are actively engaged in.

Are Whistleblowers Protected From Being Fired?

Yes, whistleblowers are protected from being fired or retaliated against in any way. In Florida, both state and federal laws provide these protections. If your employer retaliates against you for blowing the whistle on illegal activity, you may be entitled to additional damages in the form of a wrongful termination case. You should speak with your lawyer about what your options are for pursuing additional claims against your employer.

What Can Be Reported Under Whistleblowing in Florida?

In Florida, any good-faith report of an employer’s violations can be protected under state and federal whistleblower laws. Some of the most common violations that are reported in both the public and private sector by employees include fraud, safety violations, wage theft, discrimination, environmental hazards, and various illegal activities. If you are worried about how any of this can hurt you legally, speak with a lawyer about your position.

Hire a Whistleblower Lawyer With Local Experience

Choosing to report your employer’s actions to the authorities can be a difficult personal battle to wage with yourself. It’s important that you consider every possible angle, and that includes speaking with a whistleblower lawyer to learn everything you can about your situation.

At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we can help you build your case, gather evidence that supports your claim, and protect you from being taken advantage of during this time. Contact us to speak with a member of our knowledgeable team about your options.