INTRODUCTION TO WHISTLEBLOWING
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 and do so with the knowledge you have strong whistleblower protections against whistleblower retaliation.
If you are thinking of blowing the whistle, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney and litigation attorney Timothy L. Miles, who has valuable experience and has received numerous awards, mostly due to his high ethical standards, and hard work ethic, including most recently being named an Avvo Rated Top Lawyer 2024 by AVVO, Top 25 Class action lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association (2023-present), a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association (2017-present) and has maintained an AV rating from Martindale-Hubble since 2014 (2014-present), was named a 2023 Top Rated Litigator (2019-present) and 2023 Top Rated Lawyer (2019-present) and 2023 Elite Lawyer of the South by Martindale-Hubble (2019-present), and was a recipient of the Avvo Client’s Choice Award in 2021, in 2022 was featured in the Top 100 Lawyers Magazine (2022) and received the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019–2021). Contact a Nashville whistleblower attorney today, located conveniently in Brentwood, TN a suburb of Nashville. (855) 846–6529 or [email protected]. Read on for the answers to ten of frequently asked questions about whistleblowing. what is a whistleblower?
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.
how to do you qualiify to bd a whislteblower?
To qualify for a whistleblower award, the individual must voluntarily provide the government with credible, timely, and original information that significantly contributes to a successful enforcement action. The award amount is based on the monetary sanctions collected in the action.
If two people report the same information, the first person to disclose it would be eligible for the reward, as their information is considered "original." Both U.S. and foreign citizens can receive whistleblower awards if the violation they report involves U.S. government contracts, securities, commodities, tax evasion, currency (such as money laundering or foreign bribery), or other relevant areas. what Should i do if i am being retaliated against?
If you have experienced retaliation after reporting concerns to a supervisor, HR, or compliance official, you should immediately seek help from a whistleblower attorney. Don't wait until you are fired.
The protections and potential payout you receive depend on what you reported and how you made the disclosure. It's to your advantage to follow the appropriate legal procedures to maximize your protection and payout. All whistleblower laws have statutes of limitation - deadlines for filing complaints. These can range from as little as 30 days to 3 years or more. Be sure you know the statute of limitation for the specific law you are using. Should I report internally to compliance?
Compliance departments often prioritize protecting the company's interests over addressing whistleblower concerns. Reporting issues through official channels may trigger retaliation and attempts to cover up wrongdoing. It is crucial to consult a competent Nashville whistleblower attorney before disclosing any information to your supervisor or company compliance. Immediately cease using company devices and networks to communicate with your lawyer and avoid potential discovery.
Should I be an anonymous or confidential whistleblower?
Before blowing the whistle, consult a qualified Nashville whistleblower attorney to understand your legal protections. They can help you maintain confidentiality throughout the process. Some whistleblower laws allow whistleblowers to file claims anonymously, with only their attorney knowing their identity. However, other agencies do not permit anonymous filings, though they promise strict confidentiality, where only the courts and defendants know the whistleblower's name and case details.
Furthermore, speaking to the media provides the least protection for a whistleblower's identity and legal rights. If you submit information to the media or law enforcement, there is no guarantee of confidentiality, potentially resulting in your identity being revealed. what are my remedies for retaliation?
If an individual experiences retaliation for blowing the whistle, they can file a lawsuit against their employer, seeking various remedies to deter such actions. These remedies may include:
what are the The Whistleblower Protection Act and Anti-Retaliation Provisions?
In the United States, the False Claims Act (FCA), also known as the Whistleblower Protection Act, provides legal safeguards against retaliation for individuals who report fraudulent activities committed by their employers or organizations. This law prohibits retaliation, such as harassment, threats, demotions, terminations, or any other form of discrimination, against whistleblowers for their decision to come forward.
The Whistleblower Protection Act extends these protections to federal employees, preventing federal agencies from firing, demoting, blacklisting, or engaging in other retaliatory actions against whistleblowers. Additionally, the Act grants whistleblowers the right to seek remedies, including reinstatement if terminated or demoted, back pay, and compensatory damages. Can I get a whistleblower award?
To encourage whistleblowers to report fraud against the government, the FCA provides substantial financial incentives. If the government recovers funds based on the information provided by the whistleblower, the relator is entitled to a share of the recovery, typically ranging from 15% to 30% of the total amount.
This incentive system not only rewards whistleblowers for their courage and sacrifices but also serves as a powerful deterrent against corporate fraud and misconduct. By offering a substantial share of the recovery via a whistleblower award, the FCA incentivizes individuals with insider knowledge to come forward and expose wrongdoing what Areas of Fraud are Covered by the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act covers a wide range of industries and sectors where fraud against the government may occur, including:
do i need a lot of evidence?
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, and your whistleblower protections in obtaining it, contact Nashville Whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles.
If You Are Thinking of Blowing the Whistle, Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles Today
If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can guide you through the whistleblower process and explain your whistleblower protections. The consultation is free and confidential. Just complete the form below to get started or call (855) Tim-M-Law. Ask a Nashville whistleblower attorney, you could be entitled to a significant whistleblower award.
Please also visit our Resources center which provides a wealth of information on whistleblower lawsuits, among others. Call today and see what a Nashville whistleblower attorney can do for you.
The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles
Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center 300 Centerview Dr., #247 Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: (855) 846–6529 Email: [email protected] Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles Timothy L. Miles is a top-rated and AV preeminent lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee and a nationally known class action and products liability lawyer who has been leading the fight to protect consumer rights for over 22 years. Mr. Miles received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1995 and his J.D. from the Nashville School of Law in May 2001, graduating third in his class, and was made a member of the Honorable Society of Cooper’s Inn which is reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorTimothy L. Miles Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|
HoursSITEMAP
|
|