The idea of being a “whistleblower” is understandably intimidating. In general, employees can be reluctant to report illegal conduct of an employer. But if you have chosen to do the right thing, you may be given a financial reward for helping the government recover money. In addition, if you are worried about retaliation by your employer, there are federal laws that protect you under the Whistleblower Protection Act (“WPA”).
You probably have questions about making a whistleblower or qui tam claim . Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.‘s whistleblower and qui tam attorneys can address your questions. For more information about how to report fraud and other whistleblower action-related questions, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and West Palm Beach, we represent clients across the U.S. and abroad.
Frequently Asked Whistleblower Questions
Here are a few whistleblower FAQs:
- Can anyone be a whistleblower? Yes, anyone can be a whistleblower, whether a private employee, public employee or even non-employee of a company. But only “covered employees,” as defined by the WPA, are afforded the protections provided under the Whistleblower Protection Act.
- What if my employer retaliates? If you are a covered employee under the Whistleblower Protection Act, your employer is prohibited from retaliating against you for making a whistleblower claim. This includes harassment, demotion, and termination.
- Should I wait before making a whistleblower claim? It is advised that you act as soon as possible. Any reward given by the government for helping recover money is on a first-come, first-served basis. That is why it is critical you act quickly, not to mention to stop illegal employer conduct as soon as possible.
- What kind of compensation could I potentially receive? If you help the government recover money, you may be entitled to a percentage of it. If the government recovers more than $2 million as a result of your whistleblower lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation of 15 percent or up to 30 percent (up to 25 percent in Florida state claims) of the money recovered.
- Why should I obtain legal representation? Representation from a skilled and knowledgeable attorney will help you protect your rights and ensure that you receive what you are entitled to.
Make Your Claim Today
If you believe you may have a whistleblower or qui tam case, contact the fraud lawyers at our law firm at 888-578-6255. Our main office is in Miami, Florida, but we maintain offices in West Palm Beach, New York, and Los Angeles, and we represent whistleblowers throughout the U.S. and nationwide.
