Three Frequently Asked Questions about Whistleblower Lawsuits

​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.​ 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. Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles today for a free case evaluation, you may be eligible for a whistleblower award. Read on for the answers to three frequently asked questions.

Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Miles today for a free case evaluation

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.
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If you have information about fraud against the U.S. government, contact 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.

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.
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​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.

Can Government Employees File Whistleblower Lawsuits?

​Government workers can also blow the whistle on their own government and receive a whistleblower award. The Whistleblower Protection Act is a federal law that provides these individuals with protection for disclosing various acts of unlawful and unethical behavior on the part of the U.S. government: 

• Violations of the law, rules, or regulations
• Abuse of authority
• Gross waste of funds
• Gross mismanagement
• Substantial danger to public health or safety

If you are a federal employee who has uncovered possible fraud by the federal government and you have endured punishment as a result (e.g., demotion, pay cut, firing, or harassment), contact us.  We can review your case in a free, no-risk evaluation. Contact us today, you may be entitled to a whistleblower award.

Contact a Whistleblower Attorney if You Are Thinking of Blowing the Whistle

​If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles. The consultation is free and confidential. Contact us today (855) Tim-M-Law. 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.

Timothy L. Miles, Esq.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recentely 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, and more.