When you do work with a public agency or a private company, the last thing you expect is to encounter a situation in which you learn they are engaging in illegal activity or acting in a way that breaches the public’s trust. Unfortunately, sometimes employers engage in behavior that needs to be brought to light.
Sometimes, the only way this behavior is discovered is by brave employees who come forward with the information. They do so, even knowing that they may end up unemployed, or worse, in legal trouble if they are also suspected of the company’s illegal behavior. Thankfully, California has some of the strongest whistleblower protection laws in the country, helping to supplement federal whistleblower laws. If you need to report wrongdoing on the part of your employer, you may need a whistleblower protection attorney in Woodland Hills. At JML Law, we will work to ensure that you are protected from retaliation.
A whistleblower is someone who ultimately has the courage to disclose information to others about illegal or inappropriate activity or behavior with the goal to end the bad practice. There are certain categories of whistleblowers who may qualify for significant financial awards for reporting the misconduct. JML attorneys represent whistleblowers who may be faced with a similar dilemma and need guidance.
Now there may be some individuals out there who aren’t sure if they qualify as whistleblowers. The best course of action to take is to contact the law offices of JML and explain your current predicament. Lawyers are familiar with the four distinct whistleblower laws which cover tax fraud, fraud committed against any government programs, violations of securities laws and the Commodities Exchange Act.
Whistleblowers are protected by laws that prohibit retaliation. There are even some laws that allow whistleblowers to file anonymously with an attorney’s assistance too. Under specific provisions, whistleblowers may be able to sue for lost wages and other damages due to retaliation.
The discussion surrounding whistleblowers does raise the question of why should anyone become one? Well, JML attorneys explain that whistleblowers have the chance to perform a great act of civic responsibility by helping correct a wrongful situation. Those whistleblowers who act in the public’s interest are also granted anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of the money recovered by the government. This includes fines, which are a part of an enforcement action.
Furthermore, under the False Claims Act, the whistleblower may be entitled to a larger portion of the overall recovery if the government declines the case and the whistleblower litigates independently.
The types of fraud that are covered under whistleblower laws are:
Continue reading below for a more in-depth description of some of the most common types of fraud JML attorneys handle.
It does not matter what industry you work in – wrongdoing exists everywhere, and it does not have to be tolerated. Here are some common types of whistleblower cases:
These are just a few examples but are by no means the only types.
With the nature of whistleblower litigation and incentives that reward quick, it is important to report fraud as soon as possible. In case you aren’t sure if your information is legitimate contact JML Law today. Woodland Hills whistleblower attorneys can answer any question or inquiries. When you report fraud sooner rather than later ensure your information reaches the government in a timely fashion.
Whistleblower laws are time-sensitive so any delay will increase the risk of being invalidated. Additionally, the time you are aware of the fraud taking place to the time of reporting can impact the award amount you may receive. Also, when you report the fraud quickly, this helps to make sure you are the first one to report it which also affects whether or not you are rewarded.
If you believe your employer is engaged in illegal activities, you may need a whistleblower protection attorney in Woodland Hills before proceeding. Contact us at JML Law by clicking here or calling us at 818-610-8800. We will help you through the process step by step so you and your family are protected.
Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you have been injured in a work-related accident.