​Paraquat is a herbicide with known risk for occupational exposure. Since its approval in the U.S. in the 1940s, paraquat use has continued to increase and expand into new applications, including in immunologically sensitive populations such as agricultural workers. Regardless of its widespread usage from industrial farms to home gardens, paraquat has come under fire for its link to Parkinson’s disease. In fact, one of the most recent studies published on this topic found that people with high frequent exposure to paraquat had an 80% higher risk of developing PD than those who were not exposed. Below is a summary of what you need to know about frequent paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease.

​Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S. for the control of weeds in many agricultural and non-agricultural settings and as a defoliant on crops, such as cotton, prior to harvest. Paraquat acts as a cationic dication, which means that it is positively charged and can easily travel through the cell membranes of plants and treated crops, where it disrupts normal metabolism and causes cell death. In humans, however, glyphosate and paraquat are the most toxic herbicides, with paraquat being “one of the most acutely toxic compounds known”.  Thus, a very small amount of this chemical can have a very large effect on the body.  Dubbed “highly poisonous” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is so toxic that a single sip of the herbicide can kill an adult.

​Paraquat can enter the nervous system and dopamine neurons, where it blocks the metabolic conversion of N-oxyl-dopamine to dopamine, the neurotransmitter controlled by the basal ganglia of the brain that is responsible for movement, emotional responses, reward and pleasure, and, critically, is a precursor to the formation of abnormal proteins found in the brain of people with PD. While the exact mechanism of how paraquat damages nerve cells is unknown, researchers have determined that it causes oxidative stress and inflammation of neurons, which can lead to neuronal cell death and damage. Because it can cross the blood-brain barrier, paraquat can be found in high concentrations in the brains of individuals who have been exposed to it and developed PD. This makes paraquat an excellent biomarker for long-term exposure and links it to the development of PD.

​Numerous scientific studies have linked frequent exposure to paraquat to Parkinson’s. A large 2011 study of U.S. farmers found that those who used paraquat were twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as those who didn’t use the restricted use pesticide. Other research has found that cumulative exposure over long periods increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s Data published by Louisiana State University shows that a person’s zip code and proximity to cropland where paraquat is applied correlates with the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Scientists believe that a deficit of the neurotransmitter dopamine causes Parkinson’s. Studies have demonstrated that paraquat can kill dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. Inhaling paraquat, which could happen if workers come into contact with aerosolized droplets during crop spraying, gives it a direct pathway to the brain, say researchers at the University of Rochester. However, paraquat could also end up in the brain after ingestion or skin exposure. The CDC notes that, once paraquat enters the body, it is distributed to all areas of the body. Fred Kamel, a scientist within an epidemiology branch of the National Health Institute, has said that research on the link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is “about as persuasive as these things can get.”

​Agricultural workers and their families are those most likely to suffer frequent exposure to paraquat and long term exposure to paraquat. However, people living near farms and fields can also suffer frequent paraquat exposure. The following people are at high risk of exposure:

• Farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, and agricultural workers
• Families members of and any other people living with farmers, farmworkers, landscapers and agricultural workers
• Residents of rural areas near farmland sprayed with paraquat
• Anyone who works with or around professional-grade pesticides
• Anyone who lives near places where professional-grade pesticides are sprayed 

​The numerous and well-documents studies confirm a direct link between long term exposure to Paraquat and Parkinson's disease. As a result, numerous Paraquat Exposure Lawsuits have been filed around the country by those who suffered frequent exposure to paraquat and developed Parkinson's disease.  If you or a loved one were exposed to paraquat and subsequently developed Parkinson's, call a Paraquat Exposure Lawyer today.

​Camp Lejeune was a military base in eastern North Carolina that was home to as many as 250,000 service members and their families between the 1940s and 1980s.  Today, it is well-known as the site of one of the largest contamination scandals in U.S. history.  The drinking water at Camp Lejeune was full of toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene — each of which are known carcinogens. A 2014 study found elevated mortality hazard ratios at Camp Lejeune for several causes of death including cancers of the kidney, liver, esophagus, cervix, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma and ALS. These facts make it clear that Camp Lejeune is something you need to know about if you have friends or family members who served there. Read on for some important information about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and what it means for those affected by this tragic situation, including the right to now file a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Exposure Lawsuit.

​The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a federal law giving former residents of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, military, civilians and their families who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune the right to seek reparations from the U.S. government. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act prohibits the U.S. government from asserting specific immunity from litigation in response to any potential lawsuit for toxic water exposure on base.

​If you were a former resident at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina at any time between 1953 to 1987, for at least thirty days, were born on or after 1988, consumed contaminated toxic water and have been diagnosed or suffered and developed: Leukemia; Aplastic Anemia and More Myelodysplastic Syndromes; Birth Defects; Bladder Cancer; Esophageal Cancer; Female Infertility; Kidney Cancer; Liver Cancer; Lung Cancer; Multiple Myeloma; Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Parkinson’s Disease; Renal Failure (Permanent); Death, or ​Scleroderma. If you meet these conditions, you should quality.

​The Camp Lejeune Justice Act gives former residents at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune who were exposed to the toxic water the right to file a lawsuit and recover damages for harm and exposure to the contaminated water. The bill prohibits the US Government from asserting specified immunity from this litigation.  The bill gives you a right (to sue the government for toxic water exposure) that you previously did not have because if you had filed a lawsuit it would have been barred under the specified immunity doctrine. The Act removed that bar and those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune now have a remedy, and may contact a Camp Lejeune Reparations Lawyer for a free case evaluation. about a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Exposure Lawsuit.

​Yes.  The deadline for a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Exposure Lawsuit requires that any claim be filed within two years after the full enactment of the law, or within 180 days after the claim is denied by the Federal government. 

​The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a federal law that gives former residents at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune who were exposed to toxic chemicals during their time at Camp Lejeune the right to file a lawsuit and recover their damages. If you or a loved one were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, call a Camp Lejeune Reparations Lawyer today.

​The False Claims Act (FCA) is one of the most powerful tools in the government's efforts to fight fraud.  The FCA allows private citizens, commonly known as “whistleblowers,” to file suit against individuals or companies that have defrauded the federal government. When their efforts are successful, whistleblowers can receive monetary rewards. This article details some of the specifics of the FCA and how it can be an effective tool in your arsenal against fraud.

​The FCA is a statute that incentivizes individuals to report fraud against the government by allowing whistleblowers to earn a percentage of the money recovered when they file a lawsuit against a company they allege defrauded the government. The FCA allows private citizens to stand in the shoes of the government and file a lawsuit on the government’s behalf in a federal district court. That lawsuit is served on the United States Attorney and remains under seal outside of the public realm while the Department of Justice and other federal and state agencies investigate the allegations. Whistleblowers or “relators” are entitled to share between 15% and 30% of the government’s recovery as a reward for bringing fraud to the government’s attention.

​If you can successfully file a False Claims Act lawsuit, you can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the money recovered by the government. This is a very large amount of money, particularly if your suit is successful against one of the largest companies in the world. The amount you collect depends on the specific settlement. While the False Claims Act was designed to reward whistleblowers, there is still no guarantee that you will be successful. Therefore, if you do decide to file a suit, you must have an experienced whistleblower attorney and a strong legal team. Because you are going up against large corporations who will have the best lawyers money can buy, you must have an equally powerful legal team in your corner.

​Fraud against the government is not taken lightly by any means. Companies caught committing fraud against the government can face hefty fines. If a company is committing fraud and is prosecuted under the False Claims Act, it can currently be forced to pay a penalty of between $12,537 and $25,076 per false claim. This penalty is on top of the money they must pay back that they received from the government. There are a couple of important things to note concerning FCA penalties. First, an FCA penalty is required for every violation. Second, a jury determines the number of statutory FCA penalties and a judge sets the precise FCA penalty per violation.  The judge can consider many factors including, the seriousness of the misconduct, acceptance of responsibility by the defendants, and how isolated the actions were. 

​A False Claims Act lawsuit is a complicated process.  Therefore, it is vital to find a good whistleblower attorney to help guide you through the process.  An experienced whistleblower attorney can advise you on the merits of your case, the entire process in great detail and advise you on how to proceed should you decide to go forward and blow the whistle. In fact, speaking to an experienced whistleblower attorney may make you feel more at ease about blowing the whistle.

​In the aftermath of the global financial crisis and corporate scandals such as Enron and WorldCom, regulators have placed a greater emphasis on incentivizing employees to report instances of corporate misconduct.  As a result, there has been a significant increase in whistleblower programs across industries intended to protect and reward employees who come forward with information about unlawful activities. In many cases, these individuals are operating under some degree of risk.  Therefore, there has been growing interest in how the law can help support and protect whistleblowers from retaliation.  

A whistleblower is anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of illegal activities occurring in an organization. Whistleblowers can be employees, suppliers, contractors, clients, or any individual who becomes aware of illegal business activities.​ A person may also be considered a whistleblower if they report misconduct committed by an auditing firm or law firm.  Employee whistleblowers are often protected by the law, and many organizations have implemented policies to encourage them to report misconduct. It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to encouraging whistleblowing. Whistleblower protections vary based on the type of misconduct reported and the number of individuals involved. You should speak to an experienced whistleblower attorney if you are thinking of blowing the whistle.

​The importance of having protections for whistleblowers cannot be overstated.  Whistleblowers play a critical role in holding businesses and industries accountable and they also protect taxpayer dollars.  Blowing the whistle on fraud or any other illegal activity that goes against the public interest benefits the government and its people. That is why the U.S. government offers incentives and protections to those who share credible information with them, and why greater emphasis is being placed on whistleblower programs and need to protect those individuals willing to come forward and expose fraud being committed against the government. Encouraging employees to report instances of misconduct ultimately benefits consumers and shareholders alike. Investors can expect greater transparency from corporations and a risk reduction. Similarly, customers can expect higher standards of corporate behavior. 

Federal and state laws protect whistleblowers in many cases. For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act protects employees who report financial misconduct at publicly traded companies. Likewise, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act protects employees who report misconduct against companies in the financial industry. The False Claims Act protects whistleblowers who report fraud against the government. Many employees mistakenly believe that they are protected by company policy alone. This is not the case. On the contrary, employers often can terminate or otherwise retaliate against employees who report misconduct. Therefore, the law needs to continue to evolve and protect whistleblowers from the harmful effects of retaliation. 

​The growth in whistleblower programs has led to an increase in the importance of protecting whistleblowers. This is especially true in light of the global financial crisis, during which many companies engaged in fraud or misconduct. If you know or have evidence that your employer is acting illegally or unethically and you are thinking of blowing the whistle, call an experienced whistleblower attorney.  A whistleblower attorney can explain the entire process and give you their opinion of the merits of your case.

​A qui tam lawsuit is a type of whistleblower lawsuit in which an employee or contractor, called a “relator” in legal terms, brings suit on behalf of the government. These suits are also referred to as whistleblower lawsuits. They typically involve the detection and reporting of false claims against the government (fraud against the government) by the company's owners. An employee blowing the whistle on their employer and bringing suit on behalf of the government so they can recover related damages is called a Whistleblower Lawsuit. Successful whistleblowers are entitled to receive up to 30% of the damages and penalties recovered by the government as a result of their actions. Below are more details about these types of lawsuits, including eligibility requirements, possible risks, and examples of qui tam cases that have resulted in significant awards for whistleblowers.

​First, you should know several conditions must be met for you to file a qui tam action. First, the fraud must have been committed against the government, agencies, or programs. The most obvious and common examples of this type of fraud include Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, and defense contractor fraud.  Second, you must be an employee or contractor who was or is involved with the government contract in question. In other words, this means you must have firsthand knowledge of the actual fraud committed against the government to be eligible to file a qui tam lawsuit.  Finally, you must file the action within 6 years of the time you first learned about the fraud. This is called the statute of limitations, and it applies to every qui tam action.

​There are several possible risks involved in filing a qui tam lawsuit, including the following. You may experience retaliation in the form of a decrease in pay or other employment benefits. You may also face other forms of retaliation from your employer, such as being demoted or fired.  However, these risks are minimized because the government affords certain protections for whistleblowers. The False Claims Act protects against retaliation: Whistleblowers may not be harassed, threatened, demoted, fired, or otherwise discriminated against because of their decision to come forward. Other risks include receiving a lower financial award if you are successful in your lawsuit. This is where an experienced whistleblower attorney can help. If you are considering blowing the whistle but have concerns, talk to a whistleblower lawyer who can further explain the process and the merits of your case.

​These are a few examples of whistleblower cases that have resulted in significant awards for the whistleblower.  As a reward for blowing the whistle on GlaxoSmithKline in 2012, four whistleblowers split an estimated $250 million reward.  As part of a larger, $16.65 billion payout, whistleblowers shared a $170 million reward for exposing Bank of America's fraudulent practice of labeling high-risk mortgages as safe and selling them to government-insured mortgage companies.  In 2012, Johnson & Johnson paid $2.2 billion to settle off-label fraud and kickback allegations related to the prescription drugs Risperdal, Natrecor and Invega. The whistleblower received $167 million in rewards. Tenet Healthcare paid $900 million to settle allegations that it engaged in bill padding, upcoded DRG codes, paid kickbacks and fraudulently manipulated Medicare outlier payments. For reporting the fraud, the whistleblower received $150 million in 2006.

​If you work in a government contracting company and have knowledge of fraud committed against the government, you can file a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government. Such lawsuits are also referred to as whistleblower lawsuits. If your qui tam action is successful, you will receive a percentage of the damages recovered by the government as a result of your action.  Contact a whistleblower attorney today.

​Mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, it is so important that World Health Organization statistics show that mental illness will be the primary source of disability by 2030. In today’s world, it can be extremely challenging to keep up with all the different social media platforms – and the mental health disorders caused by social media. Not all online communities are beneficial for your mental health. In fact, in a recent study from Common Sense Media, young adults (aged 18-25) reported lower self-esteem after activities such as browsing Instagram, which was the platform they reported having the most negative impact on their self-image. Indeed, the adverse mental health consequences as a result of Instagram addiction are well-documented by Facebook's own internal findings.

​Social media is a collection of various online platforms such as Facebook that allow people to connect, share information, and express themselves. Popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Social media is particularly popular among younger generations. For example, Pew Research Center found that 73% of teens use social media. There is no one reason why people use social media, but many engage in these platforms for entertainment, relationship maintenance, and information seeking.

​Social media has the potential to positively affect our mental health. For example, it can be used for self-expression, support from a community of like-minded people, and information-seeking. On the other hand, social media may negatively affect our mental health by increasing social comparisons and promoting negativity. Social comparisons happen when people look at others’ lives and wish things were different. For example, someone might look through friends’ Instagram feeds and wish they had the same lifestyle. These types of comparisons can make people feel inferior and dissatisfied with their own lives. Social media can also be a place where people can express negativity.  Someone might post an Instagram photo and receive a lot of likes and comments, but then feel disappointed that their photo did not receive even more likes and comments. More posts like this can lead to feelings of low self-worth. As a result, social media addiction and the adverse mental health consequences as a result of Instagram and other mental health disorders caused by social media is on the rise in adolescents and become well-documented problem adolescents are facing in ever-increasing numbers.

​Depression is a mental illness that can make people feel sad, hopeless, and empty. People with depression often find it hard to do everyday activities because they do not feel like doing anything other than lying in bed all day. Researchers have studied the link between social media usage and depression. They have found that people who spend more time on social media are more likely to report higher levels of depression. One study that followed more than 800 college students over a semester found that those who used Facebook more frequently reported higher levels of depression. There are a couple of potential explanations for the effects of social media on mental health such as depression. First, people who are depressed often spend more time on social media than healthy people because they do not feel like doing anything else. Second, people who fail to recognize their depressive symptoms may mistakenly believe that staying on social media is okay because it does not feel like a real waste of time.

​Anxiety is a mental health disorder that causes people to worry excessively about everyday situations, such as making a presentation at work or driving on the highway. People who have anxiety disorders often have a hard time functioning because of their constant worrying. Many studies that have investigated the link between social media usage and anxiety have found that people who spend more time on social media have higher levels of anxiety. In one survey that followed over 2,000 people, researchers found that people who visited social media sites more than 10 times per day had higher levels of anxiety compared to those who visited fewer times per day. Another study that followed 943 college students over an academic term found that anxiety was higher among those who used social media more frequently. Thus, the more addicted to social media someone becomes increases the effects of social media on mental health.

​Bipolar disorders are mental illnesses characterized by extreme changes in energy, mood, and behavior. These mood swings often happen quickly and unpredictably, which makes it difficult for people with bipolar disorders to maintain relationships. Bipolar disorders are many times triggered by stressful life events, such as losing a loved one or going through a break-up. In one study that followed adults who had recently experienced stressful life events, researchers found that people with bipolar disorders were more likely to use social media.

​As the number of adolescents who become addicted to social media rises, so too will the effects of social media on mental health.   This is only compounded when the companies that own these social media platforms own studies have documented the adverse effects of social media on mental health, including the adverse mental health consequences as a result of Instagram addiction.  If you have suffered a mental disorder as a result of social media addiction, you may want to contact a social media mental health lawyer.

​A whistleblower is anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of illegal activities occurring in an organization. Often the term is used to refer to anyone who risks their job, reputation, or other consequences by blowing the whistle. This article will discuss why people blow the whistle, how to become a whistleblower, common reasons why people choose to blow the whistle on their organization, protections for whistleblowers, and where you can find resources for further help.

​The term “whistleblower” derives from the image of an employee loudly blowing their whistle to alert others that a serious problem exists in the organization. Whistleblowers reveal potentially unethical and illegal practices or illegal behavior by offering facts and evidence — sometimes at great risk to their jobs, reputations, or other consequences. If you report unethical practices to your employer, you are not automatically considered a whistleblower. Whistleblowing is when you report unethical practices to someone outside of your organization, such as a government agency through an experienced whistleblower attorney.

​People blow the whistle for several reasons. Some may see unethical or illegal practices that put people at risk. Other whistleblowers might be employees of government agencies, universities, or large corporations who want to stop illegal or unethical practices that are wasting taxpayer money or harming the public. People may also blow the whistle to force their employers to take action against discrimination or sexual harassment or other illegal business practice. While employees who report wrongdoing should be protected from retaliation by their employer, many choose to go outside of their organization because they believe their employer will not take appropriate action and/or because they fear retaliation by their employer.

​If you have information about misconduct that is preventing your organization from achieving its goals, or about illegal practices, you can still be anonymous when you report it. Some whistleblowers choose to remain anonymous because they are concerned about retaliation from their organization. Reporting misconduct to an outside organization such as a federal agency can help protect whistleblowers from retaliation. If you decide to blow the whistle, you should first talk with an experienced whistleblower attorney. If you decide to report misconduct, you can choose to report it anonymously or not. You can also report it to your employer or other internal channels first, but if you do not think these channels will be effective, you can report it anonymously to an outside agency such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice through your whistleblower attorney.

​You should consider blowing the whistle if you believe that illegal or unethical practices are preventing your organization from achieving its goals. These practices may include discrimination, fraud, the use of unnecessary secrecy, or the unjustified use of power. If you see these kinds of practices happening in your organization, you may be obligated to report them. If you are unsure if what you are witnessing constitutes misconduct or illegal activities, you can talk with others in your organization about your concerns. You can also talk with outside sources such as a whistleblower attorney who can advise you on the law and the process of being a whistleblower.

​Organizational misconduct can include many practices, including - Discrimination: The use of power to illegally harm another person based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other personal characteristics. - Fraud: The use of deception or unethical practices that harms people financially. - The use of unnecessary secrecy: Secrecy that does not serve a legitimate purpose and that may prevent an organization from being held accountable for its unlawful actions. - The unjustified use of power: Behavior that intentionally abuses power, such as nepotism or the giving of unwarranted negative performance reviews and reprimands. - Violations of laws and regulations: Conduct that violates laws, codes or regulations.

​The government affords certain protections for whistleblowers. The False Claims Act protects against retaliation: Whistleblowers may not be harassed, threatened, demoted, fired, or otherwise discriminated against because they decided to come forward. If you have been treated unjustly because you spoke out, you can file a lawsuit against your employer seeking damages including reinstatement (if you were fired) and back pay. Even if your claim turns out to be unsubstantiated, you are protected against retaliation provided your claim was made in good faith.

​If you have knowledge of fraud against or illegal conduct at your job and you are considering blowing the whistle, contact Timothy L. Miles. The consultation is free and confidential. Please also visit our Resources center which provides a wealth of whistleblower information. Call today and see what a whistleblower attorney can do for you.

​Baby formula is a staple for so many new parents. But what if the formula you are feeding your baby is not safe? That is exactly what has been happening with some brands of Abbott Laboratories, Inc.’s (“Abbott”) powdered baby formula in recent months. There have been several brands of Abbott baby formula recalled due to concerns that they may contain harmful bacteria. Specifically, powder formulas including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan, one of the company’s manufacturing facilities, have been recalled. In this article, we cover what you need to know about the recall. 

​On February 27, 2012, Abbott announced it was recalling powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan, one of the company’s manufacturing facilities. The recall does not include any metabolic deficiency nutrition formulas. Products made at this facility can be found across the U.S. and were likely exported to other countries as well. Canadian health officials have also issued a recall warning.  Additionally, on February 28, 2012, Abbott stated it was recalling one lot of Similac PM 60/40 (Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot # 27032K800 (case)) manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan.