🗞️ Texas Trucking Firm Ordered to Reinstate Whistleblower Driver, Pay $100K+
Fort Worth-based Balkan Express LLC violated federal whistleblower law by terminating a driver who reported safety concerns. OSHA ordered reinstatement and over $100,000 in compensation under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.
On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Fort Worth-based trucking company Balkan Express LLC to reinstate and compensate a worker who was terminated after reporting safety concerns.
The termination violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), a federal law that protects commercial motor vehicle workers from retaliation when they report safety violations. OSHA's investigation determined that the company's actions constituted unlawful retaliation against the employee for exercising their rights under federal safety law.
OSHA ordered Balkan Express to reinstate the terminated employee and pay back wages, interest, compensatory damages, and punitive damages totaling more than $100,000. The STAA protections cover drivers, mechanics, freight handlers, and other workers involved in commercial motor vehicle safety or security activities.
The Surface Transportation Assistance Act, codified at 49 U.S.C. § 31105, protects employees who report violations of commercial motor vehicle safety or security regulations, refuse to operate vehicles in violation of safety standards, or report accurate hours of service. OSHA's implementing regulations are found at 29 CFR Part 1978. Under the law, employees who face retaliation can file complaints with OSHA within 180 days of the alleged violation.
OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs enforce 25 whistleblower statutes that protect employees from retaliation for reporting potential violations involving safety, health, environmental protection, and other public interest concerns. The programs aim to ensure workers can raise safety concerns without fear of losing their jobs or facing other adverse employment actions.
Key Points
- Violation Found: OSHA determined Fort Worth trucking company Balkan Express LLC illegally terminated a driver for reporting safety concerns
- Legal Protection: The Surface Transportation Assistance Act protects commercial motor vehicle workers from retaliation for whistleblowing
- Financial Remedy: Company ordered to pay over $100,000 in back wages, interest, compensatory damages, and punitive damages
- Reinstatement Required: Employee must be reinstated to their previous position
- Protected Activities: STAA covers reporting safety violations, refusing to operate unsafe vehicles, and participating in safety investigations
- Filing Timeline: Workers have 180 days to file retaliation complaints with OSHA
- Broader Program: OSHA enforces 25 whistleblower protection statutes across multiple industries
Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Primary Source: US Department of Labor investigation finds Texas trucking company wrongly terminated driver for raising safety concerns
Primary Source Link: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260108
Supplemental Resources
- https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/staa
- https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA-factsheet-whistleblower-trans-sector.pdf
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1978
- https://www.whistleblowers.gov/
- https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/STAADeskAid.pdf
- https://cdllife.com/2026/feds-order-texas-trucking-co-to-rehire-and-pay-truck-driver-fired-for-raising-safety-concerns/
