EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT FROM A NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY

5/1/2023

If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles

A whistleblower is anyone who has and reports insider knowledge of illegal activities occurring in an organization. A whistleblower can be an employee, supplier, contractor, client, or any individual who becomes aware of illegal business activities. If you have knowledge of a person or company attempting to defraud the federal government, and you come forward with this information, you could be receive a whistleblower award for your courage and blowing the whistle by filing a Whistleblower Lawsuit. If you are thinking of blowing the whistle contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles for a free, confidential and no obligation case evaluation.

The Importance of Whistleblowers

jig saw puzzle with missing piece that says whistle blowing

If you are thinking about blowing the whistle, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles

When a company engages in fraud or other unethical practices and no one reports it, everyone loses. Shareholders lose since the company is less successful and less profitable. Customers and clients lose because they are given false or misleading information, so they may buy the wrong product or service. Employees lose because they are given bad information, so they cannot do their job properly, causing them to make more errors or quit their job. On the other hand, if a whistleblower reports fraud or other wrongdoings, the authorities can investigate and punish the people who are responsible for the misconduct.

Whistleblowers are often thanked by companies for bringing wrongdoing to light, but sometimes whistleblowers are fired, demoted, demeaned, or ignored. Fortunately, laws exist providing protections for whistleblowers from retaliation and to compensate them for their sacrifice. If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, but are worried about being retaliated against, contactNashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles today for a free, no-obligation and confidential consultation.

Whistleblower Protection and Retaliation

In the United States, whistleblower protection is granted by the federal government in the form of the False Claims Act. This law protects employees, contractors, and others who report fraudulent activity on the part of their company or organization by prohibiting retaliation. Retaliation against a person for blowing the whistle on fraud, corruption, or other wrongdoing is a criminal offense.

The law intends to encourage people to report fraud, so we can be assured that government funds are used appropriately and fraudulent or wasteful practices are stopped. Anyone can report fraud or wrongdoing under the False Claims Act, but to be protected from retaliation the report must be made to the proper authorities. Most people are unaware that the law provides strong protections for whistleblowers and that they can report fraud anonymously. If you have information about fraud against the government, report it. If your company is defrauding the government, do not let it continue. If you are considering blowing the whistle, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles today.

Types of Whistleblowers

If you are thinking about blowing the whistle, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles

There are different types of whistleblowers, depending on the situation. The major categories of whistleblowers are corporate whistleblowers, government whistleblowers, health care whistleblowers, and military whistleblowers. Corporate Whistleblowers are employees who report wrongdoing within their company or organization. They may report fraud, waste, abuse, or other misconduct that directly affects their company. Government Whistleblowers are people who report wrongdoing within the government, such as abuses of authority, misuse of funds, and misconduct on the part of elected officials, government employees, and contractors.

Health Care Whistleblowers are professionals in the medical arena who report unethical or fraudulent practices within their organization, such as Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Military Whistleblowers are individuals who report wrongdoing or abuse of authority against service members, such as sexual assault or discrimination. No matter what type of whistleblower you fall under, if you are thinking of blowing the whistle, contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles today.

Rewards for Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers who report fraudulent activity against the government and other organizations often receive monetary rewards for coming forward with the information and are commonly referred to as whistleblower awards. The amount of money a whistleblower can receive is based on how much the fraudulent activity is costing the government. These are huge amounts of money, even for large companies. It is important to report fraud and be aware of the government’s reward programs. If you have information about fraud against the government, you may be able to collect a whistleblower reward. Contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can further elaborate on the incentives to blow the whistle.

Why People Love Whistleblower Lawsuits

People love whistleblower lawsuits because they are a way to take action when you have a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong. You do not have to just sit back and let injustice happen, you can do something about it. You can help to stop the wrongdoing and hold people accountable for their actions. Because you are taking action, you are also helping to set an example by showing others that they do not have to sit by and watch something illegal happen — they can do something about it as well. You are also showing your employer that you are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Contact Timothy L. Miles today and see what a Nashville Whistleblower attorney can do for you if you are thinking about blowing the whistle.

3 Things You Need to Know About Whistleblower Lawsuits

First, you have a moral obligation to report wrongdoing. One reason you might take legal action is to show that you have a moral obligation to report wrongdoing. Moreover, if you see something illegal taking place at work but you do not report it, you could be held personally responsible for your silence. Second, the circumstances are unique to each situation. While many people have heard about whistleblower lawsuits, not everyone understands exactly what they entail. The circumstances surrounding each case are unique, meaning that each case has its own set of requirements and restrictions. Third, you have a legal obligation to report wrongdoing. Another reason you might take legal action is to show that you have a legal obligation to report wrongdoing. The distinction between the two is subtle but important. If you witness wrongdoing but do not report it, you could face legal consequences. For more information on your obligations to report wrongdoing, contact a Nashville Whistleblower attorney today.

the whistleblower protection act

What Is a Qui Tam?

Qui tam is a provision in the False Claims Act (FCA) that allows private citizens with evidence of fraud perpetrated against the federal government to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the U.S. government. These citizens are rewarded with a substantial share in any financial recovery that’s made (typically 15-30% of the total amount).

The qui tam provision was enacted to encourage private citizens to come forward with information about entities defrauding federal programs, thus allowing the government to recoup stolen funds. Qui tam lawsuits differ from other types of lawsuits, such as personal injuries, in that the person bringing the suit is not the one who has been directly harmed.

Any person with information about fraud against the government – an employee, contractor, competitor, or someone else – can bring a qui tam lawsuit.

If you have information about fraud against the U.S. government, contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles, a top-rated attorney in Nashville. He can help you determine if you have a case, and securely walk you through the whistleblower process. So call today and see what a Nashville Whistleblower attorney can do for you.

How Are Whistleblowers Protected?

The government affords certain protections for whistleblowers. The FCA provides protection against retaliation: Whistleblowers may not be harassed, threatened, demoted, fired, or otherwise discriminated against because of their decision to come forward. The Whistleblower Protection Act prohibits federal agencies from firing, demoting, and blacklisting federal employees who become whistleblowers as well as other forms of retaliation including reducing pay, change of duties, or reassignments. Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, qui tam relators have the right to protections such as reinstatement if terminated or demoted, back pay, as well as compensatory damages.

If you have been treated unjustly because you spoke out, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles, 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. These protections for whistleblowers are meant to encourage whistleblowers to come forward without fear of retaliation. Call a Nashville Whistleblower attorney to learn more.

What Is the False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act (FCA) makes it illegal for any person or institution to intentionally file a false claim or create a false record regarding any federally funded program. In this case, “intentionally” includes acting with reckless disregard, which is when someone blatantly ignores the potential consequences their actions may bring. The “qui tam” provision of the FCA allows private citizens who have evidence of fraud to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party on behalf of the government. If you have evidence of fraud against the goverenment, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles today, you could be eligible for a substantialwhistleblower award.

Do You Need Evidence to Be a Whistleblower?

Yes, you will need strong supporting evidence to file a qui tam lawsuit. The evidence you collect must clearly display the entity committing the fraud, the amount stolen, and any other relevant information pertaining to the crime at hand. Many whistleblowers have collected financial statements, emails, and memorandums, but others have taken an extra step and used a personal recording device to collect evidence. While this is not necessary in all cases, it is important to collect as much evidence as you can to ensure that your case can help expose the corruption. For more information on the type of information you need and how to obtain it, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles.

Whistleblowing Is a Way to Protect the Public

You may not think of your profession as having anything to do with protecting the public, but many professions have a responsibility to do so. For example, doctors and other medical professionals have to report on doctors who are not keeping patients safe and following the standards of care. The same with lawyers. Professionals who design and build infrastructure, as well as those who construct, maintain, and fly airplanes have to report on practices that violate federal or local laws, are not safe, or waste resources. Personnel in other fields may have a responsibility to report on violations of ethical standards. For example, psychologists and other mental health professionals have a duty to report if a colleague appears to be a danger to clients or is otherwise unfit to practice. Similarly, lawyers have to report if a colleague commits misconduct, such as committing an ethical violation or withholding information that they are ethically required to share with their client.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, the biggest reason we need more whistleblowers is to protect society and make sure every person has a fair shot, including those who decide to blow the whistle. You may be thinking that the problems you see are not as bad as what other whistleblowers have exposed. But regardless, whatever your reasons are for coming forward, remember that you can do so anonymously and speak with a qualified whistleblower attorney like Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles. Whistleblowers have played an important role in our society for centuries.

These individuals have helped society progress by shedding light on corruption and abuses of power in government and big organizations. We need more whistleblowers today so that we can keep making progress in stopping illegal or immoral corporate activities. This is precisely why Congress enacted very strict protections for whistleblowers and provided for whistleblower awards for these brave individuals coming forward. If you are ready to blow the whistleblower attorney, contact a Nashville whistleblower attorney today.

TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more. Please visit our website.