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Whistleblower Lawsuits

Whistleblowers play an important role in exposing fraud and other improper activities by companies and the government, including fraud against the government. In some instances, employers take adverse actions against employee whistleblowers as retribution or retaliation for exposing the employers’ wrongdoing.  Such whistleblower retaliation can take the form of termination of employment, harassment, or demotion, among other actions. Most whistleblower laws, however, contain provisions banning whistleblower retaliation. These laws, however, may not provide sufficient whistleblower protection in all cases.

Whistleblower retaliation occurs most often in the case of employee corporate whistleblowers, who reveal misconduct by their employers. This misconduct may be fraud committed against the government or another party, or non-compliance with laws or regulations. Often accusations by whistleblowers can result in the government bringing civil or criminal legal action.

Provisions of the federal False Claims Act allow whistleblowers to file qui tam lawsuits on behalf of the government. The Act provides for treble damages and penalties of up to $11,000 per violation of the statute, and applies to almost all acts of fraud against the government. In successful suits, whistleblowers can recover a significant percentage of the damages awarded as a reward for initiating the case.

If you are considering filing a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit, or think that you have been subjected to whistleblower retaliation, contact a whistleblower lawyer for a free and confidential case evaluation.