Legal Help for WHISTLEBLOWERS.

Whistleblowers play an essential role in bringing to light illegal, unethical, or harmful practices in organizations. Due to the potential retaliation they might face, many countries have established laws and protections for whistleblowers. If you’re thinking about blowing the whistle or have already done so, consider the following legal help and protections (based on U.S. law and general best practices):

1. **Legal Counsel**: Before taking any action, consult with an attorney who specializes in whistleblower cases. They can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your rights and potential risks.

2. **Know the Laws**:
– **Federal Whistleblower Laws**: In the U.S., multiple federal laws protect whistleblowers, depending on the nature of the violation reported. Examples include:
– The Whistleblower Protection Act: For federal employees who report misconduct.
– The False Claims Act: Concerning fraud against the federal government.
– The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: For corporate fraud and securities violations.
– **State Laws**: States may have their own whistleblower protection laws that might be more stringent than federal laws.

3. **Document Everything**: Keep a detailed record of events, conversations, and evidence related to the wrongdoing. This can be crucial in proving your claims and protecting yourself against retaliation.

4. **Anonymity and Confidentiality**: Some laws allow whistleblowers to report misconduct anonymously. Your attorney can guide you on how to best maintain your privacy.

5. **Reporting Channels**: Determine the appropriate authority or agency to report the wrongdoing. This could be internal (like a company’s compliance department) or external (like regulatory bodies or law enforcement).

6. **Retaliation Protections**: Both federal and state laws in the U.S. protect whistleblowers from retaliation. If you experience adverse employment actions (like demotion, termination, or harassment) after reporting misconduct, you might have additional legal claims.

7. **Financial Incentives**: Some whistleblower laws, like the U.S. False Claims Act, provide financial rewards for individuals whose reports lead to successful legal actions or recoveries by the government.

8. **Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Confidentiality Clauses**: If you’ve signed an NDA, it’s crucial to discuss with your lawyer how it may impact your ability to blow the whistle. In many cases, laws protect whistleblowers even if they’ve signed such agreements, especially if they’re reporting illegal activities.

9. **Seek Support**: Whistleblowing can be emotionally taxing. Consider seeking support from friends, family, or organizations dedicated to helping whistleblowers.

10. **Global Concerns**: If you’re whistleblowing on issues with international implications, be aware of laws and protections in other jurisdictions. The legal landscape can vary widely between countries.

Lastly, remember that while this information is based on U.S. law and practices, the principles can be applied in many other countries. Always consult with a local attorney to understand the specifics of your jurisdiction.

WHAT is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?

A “qui tam” lawsuit is a type of civil lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act (FCA) in the United States. The term “qui tam” is short for the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which translates to “he who brings an action for the king as well as for himself.” Here’s how a qui tam lawsuit works:

1. **Whistleblower Role**: In a qui tam action, a private individual, known as a “relator” or whistleblower, sues an entity or person on behalf of the U.S. government for committing fraud against the government. The alleged fraud might involve overbilling, providing substandard goods or services, or other types of fraudulent claims for payment.

2. **Government’s Right to Intervene**: After the relator files the lawsuit, the government has the option to intervene and take over the case. Whether the government intervenes can often influence the case’s prospects, as the resources and expertise of the government can be considerable.

– If the government chooses to intervene, it assumes the primary responsibility for prosecuting the case, though the relator and their counsel typically remain involved.
– If the government chooses not to intervene, the relator can proceed with the lawsuit on their own.

3. **Potential Rewards**: If the lawsuit is successful, the relator is entitled to a share of the recovered funds.
– When the government intervenes and there’s a successful outcome, the relator typically receives between 15% and 25% of the recovery.
– If the government doesn’t intervene and the relator proceeds on their own, they can receive between 25% and 30% of the recovery.

4. **Anti-Retaliation Protections**: The False Claims Act includes provisions that protect whistleblowers from retaliation by employers. This means that employers cannot fire, demote, harass, or otherwise discriminate against employees for participating in a qui tam action.

5. **Importance**: Qui tam provisions play a crucial role in identifying and prosecuting fraud against the government. They incentivize private individuals to come forward with information about such fraud by offering them a portion of the recovered funds.

6. **Scope**: While the most common qui tam cases involve healthcare fraud (such as Medicare or Medicaid fraud), they can also relate to defense contractor fraud, financial industry fraud, or any other instance where entities defraud the government.

It’s essential for individuals considering initiating a qui tam action to seek legal counsel, as these cases are complex and the procedures, especially during the initial sealed period, are unique.

Qui tam is a key provision in the U.S. False Claims Act (FCA) that encourages whistleblowers to report government fraud. The term “qui tam” comes from a Latin phrase meaning suing on behalf of the king and oneself.

Private individuals, referred to as “relators,” can file lawsuits against those who allegedly defraud the government under this provision. Successful lawsuits can reward relators with a portion of the recovered funds, usually ranging between 15 to 30 percent. As a result, qui tam incentivizes whistleblowers to expose fraud, waste, and abuse of government funds, assisting in the uncovering and prosecution of fraudulent activities.

When a qui tam lawsuit is filed, the government must decide whether to intervene and take control of the case or allow the whistleblower to proceed independently. Regardless of the decision, the government can still stay informed about the case’s progress and opt to participate if needed.

Greg Dykeman, a board-certified civil trial lawyer, has extensive experience in this area of law and can work on your case for the best possible outcome. With his guidance, you can navigate the complex legal process and protect your rights as a whistleblower.