Throughout the course of normal employment, some people learn information about fraudulent or illegal activity on their employer’s part. Employees reporting inappropriate, illegal government activities should know they are protected under the Whistleblower Law. In recent years, it was also known as the False Claims Act. Under this law, anyone who is not affiliated with the government is able to file a claim. Successful claims usually result in the whistleblower to a portion of the funds recovered. If not taken seriously, dangerous actions can harm the business and the public’s safety and health, which is jeopardized just as much, maybe even more so.
Whistleblowers are individuals who are privy to knowledge of fraudulent or corrupt activity by their employer. Most of the time, someone works for a government agency. It does not necessarily have to be a government employee, however. Whistleblowers are those employees, managers, contractors, staff, competitors, workers in other agencies, and basically anyone with knowledge of the wrong. If a whistleblower is successful, they assist in getting the money returned to the government. The offender is then punished, and the whistleblower is entitled to a share of any recovery. This is known as qui tam.
Are you an employee or contractor suffering from retaliation by your employer for reporting valid concerns about illegal, fraudulent, or corrupt behavior? Have you:
- Have you been fired from your job or contract?
- Been blacklisted or given an inaccurate, negative employment reference?
- Have you been denied a pay raise or a promotion?
- Been given poor performance evaluations?
- Are you being bullied or mistreated?
If your employer has fired or mistreated you in revenge for reporting their illegal activities, your Anaheim whistleblower lawyer can help.
Under California’s Whistleblower Protection Act, an employee who reports their employer’s illegal behavior – and is fired as a result – can sue their employer for damages. This law has recently been updated to cover third-party contractors and those who report illegal deeds internally to their employers.
Fraud includes healthcare, taxes, finances, and other government services. It is noticeable in illegal kickbacks, rebates, approving unneeded services, ignoring safety violations, bills for services not provided, or overbilling. Other examples are changing labels and a variety of other illegal techniques.
Protected employee and third-party contractor actions include:
- Reporting the illegal dumping of toxic waste to CalEpa (California Environmental Protection Agency);
- Contacting the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) to report financial fraud;
- Reporting safety code violations to OSHA (the Occupational Safety & Health Administration);
- Raising issues internally with your supervisor or another co-worker.
If you have been fired for reporting concerns to law enforcement, a government official, or even your supervisor, contact JML Law whistleblower attorneys at 818-610-8800.
How Can An Anaheim Whistleblower Attorney Help Me
Our Anaheim attorneys have years of experience in dealing with these types of cases and are ready to assist you in holding your former employer to account. Many of these lawsuits are settled out of court, but some may end up in court in front of a judge – your whistleblower attorney will work hard for you at every step to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
Our main priority is to help you win any damages you have suffered from being fired for raising legitimate concerns with your former employer. Many awards are made on loss of income but can also include compensation for the loss of your reputation or difficulties in finding a new job after being blacklisted or having your employment terminated on your resume.
Some recent US whistleblower settlements include:
- A Los Angeles bank manager was fired in retaliation for reporting suspected fraud cases. He won $4.5 million in damages and was reinstated to his old job;
- A California bank employee was fired for raising concerns with her managers about co-workers defrauding customers. She won $577,000 in damages, including back pay, reputation loss, and attorney fees.
- An Amtrak employee who raised safety concerns about a contractor was fired. He received $892,551 in damages, which covered lost wages, punitive damages, compensation, and attorney fees, and was reinstated to his old job.
We have a long track record of winning damages for our clients throughout Anaheim and Orange County, and we will fight for you every step of the way.
Whistleblowers are protected under the U.S. False Claims Act or local California laws. The guidelines for whistleblowing are outlined in detail. It is noteworthy to mention that at the federal level, the whistleblower first discloses their information to the Department of Justice. Then, in turn, the DOJ decides whether or not to pursue the claim or leave it to the whistleblower’s discretion. If and when the DOJ pursues the claim, the whistleblower is entitled to receive up to 25% of the funds recovered. If and when it is left to the individual to pursue, they may receive up to 30% of the funds recovered.
Regardless, whistleblower cases can be extremely complex and thus require much effort, advice, and the representation of a respected employment law attorney. Anaheim Whistleblower Attorney is here for you and will remain with you throughout the process.
If you or someone you know feel there may be some suspicious activity to report, whether at the local, state, or federal government level, you could be authorized for compensation. Contact the experienced professionals at Anaheim Whistleblower Attorney. We will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation and discuss your case today at 818-610-8800. Or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and Google Business. We offer plenty of appointments to fit your schedule best. Don’t hesitate or delay; let’s get to the bottom of your case as soon as possible.
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Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you find yourself in this situation where you reported a law violation and your employer retaliated against you,
