Whistleblower employees are heroes who have the courage to stand up for what is right against unscrupulous corporations that are ripping off the government and harming American taxpayers. Whistleblowing employees usually face retaliation and harassment for taking a stand against fraudulent acts in the workplace. While the law may not prevent the retaliation, it does provide employee protection and financial remedies for when it occurs.
Whistleblower Protection Under the Law
Whistleblower employees who stand up against fraud involving state and federal government entities are protected under the law, whether the fraud involves military procurement, Medicare, or other government program. The federal False Claims Act, under which qui tam lawsuits are brought, provides employees and contractors with protection from retaliation and harassment.
Under the False Claims Act and similar state statutes, whistleblowers who provide evidence of fraudulent conduct against the government may be eligible to receive a financial award calculated as a percentage of the funds recovered by the government as a result of the whistleblower’s assistance. The Act also gives employees a right to sue their employers for retaliation and harassment they suffer as a result of their whistleblowing activities. A whistleblower who suffers retaliation is entitled to seek compensation in court for damages suffered from:
- Demotion
- Suspension
- Firing
- Threats
- Harassment
- Discrimination of any kind as to terms and conditions of employment
Whistleblower protection under the False Claims Act includes all relief necessary to make the employee “whole” after work-related retaliation. Depending on the circumstances, this could include job reinstatement, double the amount of back pay owed, interest on back pay, reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation, and special damages or other compensation.
Many states also have false claims laws that provide whistleblower protection against retaliation. These statutes are designed to protect employees against “coincidentally” losing their jobs and other forms of retaliation after reporting wrongdoing on the part of their employers to the pertinent authorities.
Legal Representation for Whistleblowers
If you have faced retaliation as a whistleblower, your best course of action is to consult with an experienced whistleblower attorney immediately. The law provides specific protection for employees who take a stand against fraud, and you may be entitled to seek compensation if you have lost your job or suffered threats, harassment, demotion, or any other adverse actions associated with your employment.
Kreindler & Associates has dedicated its practice exclusively to representing False Claims Act whistleblowers. Fighting fraud is all we do, and we are committed to providing the highest level of professional service and support to whistleblowers who have made the difficult decision to do the right thing, despite significant personal cost. Contact us for the legal help you need if you are facing retaliation in the workplace, or need information about blowing the whistle on fraud under the False Claims Act.
