Recent Cases

Recent Washington whistleblower cases: how to follow them

Whistleblower law moves quickly. Decisions from Washington trial and appellate courts, federal agencies, and federal courts applying federal whistleblower statutes shape what is possible in any given case. This page introduces the categories of decisions we track and explains why each one matters.

Washington appellate decisions

Decisions from the Washington Court of Appeals and Supreme Court define the public-policy exception to at-will employment, the burden-shifting framework in retaliation cases, and the scope of statute-specific protections. We summarize new decisions that affect how Washington whistleblower cases are litigated.

State-employee whistleblower decisions

The Washington State Auditor's Office administers the state-employee whistleblower program under chapter 42.40 RCW. Agency decisions, settlements, and related litigation give insight into how reports are handled and how retaliation claims are resolved.

OSHA whistleblower matters

OSHA administers more than 20 federal whistleblower statutes covering aviation, trucking, environmental, financial, and healthcare sectors. We follow OSHA decisions and ARB (Administrative Review Board) rulings that shape what private-sector retaliation claims look like.

SEC and DOJ developments

The SEC's whistleblower program and DOJ False Claims Act cases — including qui tam filings — are major drivers of corporate accountability. Recent SEC enforcement actions concerning Rule 21F-17 (which restricts employer conduct that impedes whistleblowing) are particularly relevant for severance and NDA practice.

Healthcare and patient-safety matters

Decisions involving RCW 43.70.075 (Washington's healthcare worker protection statute) and federal False Claims Act cases involving Medicare and Medicaid are central to healthcare whistleblower practice.

How to use this page

Individual case write-ups will be linked here as they are published. For an overview of the legal framework these decisions interpret, see the Washington State Whistleblower Law Guide.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice.

What evidence to preserve in a Washington whistleblower case

What you preserve in the first days and weeks of a whistleblower matter often determines what is possible later. This guide explains what to keep, what not to take, and how to store records safely. The principle: preserve, do not exfiltrate Save things you are already lawfully entitled to access.

Can I record my boss? Washington's two-party consent rule

One of the most common questions whistleblowers ask is whether they can record a conversation with a manager or HR. In Washington, the default answer is no — and the consequences for getting it wrong can be serious. The basic rule: RCW 9.73.030 Washington's Privacy Act, RCW

Severance agreements: what Washington whistleblowers should know before signing

If you have raised concerns at work and your employer is now offering a severance agreement, treat it as one of the most important documents you will ever sign. This guide explains what these agreements typically do, what you may be giving up, and what to look for before signing.

Coming soon

This is Washington Whistleblower, a brand new site by Joe Wallin that's just getting started. Things will be up and running here shortly, but you can subscribe in the meantime if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new content is published!