You work to protect yourself and your company from workers comp, discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuits. But legal experts say there’s a new wave of lawsuits hitting small business owners across the country.

Retaliation and whistleblower claims are among the fastest growing type of litigation being brought against employers today, according to Eric Savage, shareholder at Litter Menelson P.C. law firm.  Whistleblower statutes, found in bills such as Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Protection and Information Act, prohibit employees from being terminated or discriminated against for stepping up and reporting safety or quality assurance concerns to employers or government.