Whistleblowers take many risks when bringing down wrongdoers perpetrating fraud for profit. Business owners deceive government loan programs and bribe officials. People cheat on their taxes. Public companies alter their books and lie to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Corporations dump toxic waste and cheat consumers.
Corruption in all forms comes to light when brave employees report it. These whistleblowers know those with power can retaliate, and they take the risk knowing rewards may be elusive unless the government prevails in reaching a settlement or receives what was stolen. When you are considering turning in an employer for nefarious dealings, you need a Greenville whistleblower retaliation lawyer by your side.
Federal law protects whistleblowers from employers who retaliate once they realize wrongdoings have been exposed. Angry employers may still try to retaliate, but legal counsel could combat that.
The False Claims Act (FCA) and the Dodd-Frank Act contain provisions against retaliation. Both Acts protect whistleblowing employees from not only being fired but:
Employers cannot enforce confidentiality agreements to stop employees from communicating with government agencies investigating them. Employees may also be able to rely on the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) when the whistleblower is reporting unsafe conditions in the workplace. To better understand protections, contact a whistleblower retaliation lawyer in Greenville.
A legal representative may only need to remind an employer they cannot retaliate against an employee who blows the whistle on their nefarious deeds. However, some employers are vindictive and may try to make employees miserable despite federal protections.
Under the False Claims Act, an employee may be able to sue an employer who retaliates. They may be entitled to job reinstatement if they were fired or demoted. The court may also award twice the back pay lost, the interest on back pay, and attorney’s fees.
In certain circumstances, whistleblowers can remain anonymous to circumvent retaliation. When a whistleblower reports accounting or securities wrongdoings to the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), they can remain anonymous as long as an experienced lawyer assists with filing the report.
A whistleblower can file a lawsuit on the government’s behalf when individuals or companies attempt to defraud its programs. A person initially files these qui tam actions anonymously, known as under seal, so the company and even the public are not aware of them. To remain anonymous, file a qui tam lawsuit, or file a lawsuit against a retaliating employer, contact an expert whistleblower lawyer in Greenville.
The federal government encourages whistleblowers to turn in individuals and corporations that bribe, steal, and defraud others and the government itself. Billions of dollars have been recovered thanks to these selfless employees who risk retaliation by vindictive or uninformed employers.
When you are a potential whistleblower, you need help navigating the federal legal system to seek justice on all fronts. You can remain anonymous early in some investigations, but that is not guaranteed for the life of the inquiry. When employers learn you are the whistleblower, they cannot punish you in any way, although they often try. We can intercede early in the process and uphold your privacy rights. Once your status is known, a Greenville whistleblower retaliation lawyer will employ the law to protect your rights. Call now to learn more.
