> Whistleblowers, Reporting Workplace Wrongdoing
Whistleblower claims and qui tam actions both involve employees’ reporting of wrongdoing on the part of the employer, but the two kinds of civil actions are very different.
If you have been disciplined or terminated for having reported an illegal action, condition or safety violation at work, you probably have a claim for retaliatory discharge based on your actions as a whistleblower. If you’re aware that your employer is cheating the federal government, whistleblower protection laws might protect you from termination; at the same time, you have the right to file a qui tam claim. If successful, you’ll receive a portion of the money that the government recovers from the dishonest employer. Contact the California qui tam attorneys at Liberty Law for more information about our ability to represent you in either or both forms of litigation.
Qui Tam Lawsuits
Qui tam lawsuits are civil suits that help the government stop fraud. In a qui tam claim, if a person blows the whistle on an employer who is cheating the government, the whistleblower may be entitled to a percentage or the recovery of the penalty as a reward for exposing the conduct. If successful, the plaintiff receives a portion of the money that the government recovers from the dishonest employer.
Qui tam claims are initiated by private citizens under the federal False Claims Act against anyone filing a fraudulent claim for payment from the U.S. government. Because so many government programs are administered through private companies, the opportunity for fraud by persons dealing with the government is always present, and in some industries, is even fairly common. Qui tam plaintiffs are entitled to a percentage of the federal government’s recovery – between 15 and 25 percent if the government decides to join the case, and 25 to 30 percent if the government declines to intervene. The award depends on several factors, including the quality of the case presented to the Justice Department, as well as the work of the whistleblower’s attorney. Some common types of fraud include Medicaid and Medicare fraud, fraud on government projects, and fraud involving defense contractors.
If you believe you have a potential qui tam case, it’s important to act quickly. At Liberty Law, we can guide you through the complex process of filing a qui tam claim, and at the same time, protect you from any retaliation by your employer. For further information and a free preliminary case evaluation, contact Liberty Law today.
If someone else makes the allegations public, your lawsuit could be dismissed. You should also not tell anyone about the lawsuit or the fraud – if it’s made public through social media, your case could be dismissed or seriously damaged. You should also choose your attorney very carefully.
Contingency Fee Arrangements
For those who can’t afford to pay the attorneys’ fees and costs connected with such lawsuits, a contingency fee arrangement is available. Contingency fees also provide a powerful motivation to attorneys to work diligently on the client’s case. In other types of litigation where clients pay the attorney by the hour for their time, it makes little economic difference to the attorney whether the client has a successful outcome to the litigation. Finally, because lawyers assume the financial risk of litigation, the number of speculative or unmeritorious cases may be reduced.
Contact California Employment Rights Attorney, Micha Star Liberty
At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that whistleblowers should not be able to be legally fired or retaliated against for their actions. Micha Star Liberty also believes that whistleblowers deserve compensation for their actions, which help to prevent fraud and waste. At Liberty Law, we can guide you through the complex process of filing a qui tam claim, and at the same time, protect you from any retaliation by your employer.
Micha Star Liberty represents clients throughout the San Francisco Bay – Oakland area, including Fairfield, Tracy, Hayward, Berkeley, and the surrounding cities. Contact the California qui tam attorneys at Liberty Law at 510-645-1000 or 415-896-1000 for more information about our ability to represent you in either or both forms of litigation.
