A young professional is out of a job after he informed the public that there are lead joints in Jackson’s water distribution system. The man was working for the Jackson Public Works Department as an engineer-in-training was working on a water main replacement job when he discovered a band of shiny, corroded lead connecting two pipes. He was surprised to find lead in the city’s water pipe system, and he showed people at a local newspaper what he had found. The newspaper reported the man’s findings, making them public knowledge.
Before the incident involving the lead on the pipes, the young man was working diligently for the city, doing things like inspecting newly installed water lines and preparing contract documents. He had recently taken on the task of managing the city’s storm water permits, and he was even expecting a promotion. Unfortunately, the city fired him shortly after he disclosed to the public that he had found lead in the water distribution system. The man wants to continue working for the city, and he will appear before the city’s personnel board to ask to return to his previous position.
The attorney who represents the young man feels as though his client got fired for speaking to the media – for engaging in his Constitutionally protected right to free speech. The city is concerned the man’s conduct in sharing his findings with the newspaper may cast the city in a false light and damage its reputation.
As is the case with many whistleblower situations, the man approached his superiors and informed them of the situation before he went public with any information. His supervisors discouraged him from approaching the city council about the issue and they warned him not to talk to the press. The response from his supervisors left the man feeling like he was being asked to withhold the information, and that did not sit well with him because lead in water is a serious public health issue. In fact, lead in water is a serious public health problem in Jackson because testing had previously revealed high levels of lead in water samples collected in homes throughout the city. The city maintained that plumbing within the individual homes was the likely source of the contamination and made no mention that the lead could be coming from the city’s water distribution pipes.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Whistleblowers Expose Wrongdoing throughout Mississippi
Cities and towns provide essential resources to their residents. Infrastructures like water and sewer systems serve city residents, and while most of the time there is nothing but benefit flowing to the residents from the use of the infrastructure, there are situations in which damage or disrepair to the infrastructure can put the public’s health at risk. Fortunately, once someone sees a potential hazard, it can then be made known to the city so that they can take steps to address the issue. However, cities and towns are not always willing to address issues right away, and sometimes the only way to ensure that they address the issue is to notify the public. If you have disclosed information to the public about a problem with a city or a town, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. We understand the complexities of the whistleblower lawsuit process, and we will help you pursue a just result. If you have questions about whistleblower lawsuits, please call the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.