If you are an employee that has observed fraud, misconduct, or other illegal activity by your employer, co-workers, or a business or corporation, you can report this misconduct to the authorities and receive whistleblower protection.
Whistleblower laws generally protect employees from retaliation from their employers, supervisors, and co-workers when reporting illegal activity that violates state and federal laws and regulations, and/or activity that is a danger to the public such as unsafe work protocols, work environments, and other conditions.
These state and federal law protections (such as the Whistleblower Protection Act) allows employees to file a claim and bring to light improper business practices.
Whistleblowers are often met with hostility from their workplace and suffer from harassment, termination, demotion, threats, and other wrongful activity because they have had the courage to speak up against their employers.
However, whistleblowers are protected in order to encourage the reporting of unlawful activity in order to ensure the safety to the general public and to weed out business, companies, and corporations that break the law.
Whistleblowers May be Entitled To a Reward
First, an experienced employment lawyer will have to determine what type of whistleblower claim you have.
For example, whistleblower cases that affect the government, such as an SEC whistleblower claim, would require recovering more than $1 million for the whistleblower to earn a reward.
Again, these are instances where an experienced lawyer would step in to help.
You do not have to stand by and watch something that you believe is wrong.
If you feel that your employer is acting in a way that is unlawful or unsafe, please call our attorneys for a free consultation to determine whether you are protected as a whistleblower.
Every claim is different so it is important to speak to a lawyer that specializes in whistleblower actions and familiar with these types of claims.
If you feel that you were terminated because you were involved in whistleblower activity, it is imperative you speak with an employment lawyer IMMEDIATELY to preserve any relevant statutes and to pursue your claim vigorously and expeditiously.
Please call our lawyers at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos for a free consultation and an evaluation of the facts of your case.
Types of Whistleblower Claims
Whistleblower cases can arise in various sectors, each addressing specific types of misconduct or illegal activity. Here are some common types of whistleblower claims that individuals can file:
1. False Claims Act (FCA) Cases
Whistleblower lawsuits involving fraud against the federal government often fall under the Federal False Claims Act. These cases, also known as qui tam cases, allow whistleblowers to file claims on behalf of the government, typically involving fraud in government programs like Medicare or Medicaid.
Whistleblowers, often former employees, help expose fraudulent activities such as overbilling, misuse of taxpayer money, or government property misuse. Whistleblower protections ensure they are safeguarded against retaliation. The Anti-Kickback Statute and federal laws reinforce these protections.
2. National Security and Intelligence Whistleblowing
Individuals working in national security or intelligence may blow the whistle on unlawful government actions, including the exposure of global surveillance programs or classified documents.
High-profile cases like the Pentagon Papers and disclosures from former intelligence contractors or army intelligence analysts have brought to light concerns about government misconduct, espionage, and violations of the Espionage Act.
Notable whistleblowers include intelligence contractors who revealed unlawful federal investigations or police corruption within the federal bureau or army’s criminal investigation division.
3. Corporate Fraud and Financial Misconduct
Corporate whistleblowers raise concerns over deceptive practices or financial misconduct by exposing fraudulent schemes within corporations, including telecommunications companies, the tobacco industry, or other sectors that involve widespread corruption.
Such whistleblowers often work with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure successful enforcement action. Corporate fraud claims frequently involve whistleblowers raising concerns over illegal accounting practices or unethical corporate behavior.
4. Government Healthcare Fraud
Fraud against government healthcare programs like Medicare or Medicaid is often exposed through False Claims Act cases. Whistleblowers who file claims under this act report fraud, waste, and abuse in programs intended to serve public health.
Many of these claims center on violations of the Public Health Service or deceptive practices that involve the misuse of taxpayer funds for healthcare services.
5. Health and Safety Concerns
Whistleblowers who raise concerns about health and safety issues often come from industries like healthcare, manufacturing, or energy. Cases involving safety violations reported by former employees or former managers may include failures to comply with regulations enforced by entities like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Whistleblowers in these cases typically file claims after suffering retaliation for their protected disclosures about unsafe working conditions or public health concerns.
6. Environmental and Nuclear Industry Whistleblowing
The Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are key regulators in whistleblower cases involving nuclear safety or environmental concerns. Whistleblowers in this industry often report safety violations that endanger both employees and the public. Notable cases include whistleblowers who have raised alarms about unsafe practices at nuclear plants or toxic waste management.
7. Law Enforcement and Government Corruption
Whistleblowers in law enforcement may raise concerns about police corruption, federal investigations, or widespread abuse within government agencies.
Police officers, government officials, or even federal agents have historically blown the whistle on unlawful practices, from the Vietnam War to the Tobacco Industry.
High-profile whistleblower cases, like those involving FBI agents or Washington Post reporters, continue to expose misconduct and ensure justice.
8. National Whistleblower Center Involvement
The National Whistleblower Center plays a pivotal role in protecting whistleblowers across industries. Whether reporting on financial misconduct, corporate fraud, or government healthcare programs, the Center provides essential resources to ensure whistleblower protections under federal law and state laws.