A whistleblower claim falls under employment law. When people believe they may need to be a whistleblower, they are ready to stand up and report that they have evidence of fraud, corruption, or other illegal acts. These are things that are usually being committed by an employer, their company, or someone they work with. Before you report the wrongdoing, you may worry about the repercussions and wonder, what does it mean to be a whistleblower for your current situation, and your future.
Here are some examples of things that people witness that motivate them to become whistleblowers:
- A public health concern or environmental damage/pollution
- Criminal behavior (laws being broken)
- Fraud being committed against the government
- Fraud against anything covered under the Securities Exchange Act and the Commodity Exchange Act
- Selling drugs without FDA approval
- Submission of false or manipulated data
What If You Want to Be a Whistleblower?
They have to weigh out the options between reporting what they believe to be wrongdoing and protecting themselves. Some common concerns are as follows:
- Being terminated
- Retaliation
- Loss of privacy
- Being accused of a crime due to their own involvement
What Being a Whistleblower Can Mean for You
Protections For Whistleblowers
Because of the things we just mentioned, there are laws to protect you. If your employer asks you to do something illegal, you are in a compromised position. And you have legal protection from retaliation from your employer for when you refuse.
There are also legal options for you to explore if you are terminated for not carrying out an illegal directive. This extends to you filing complaints too. But retaliation can come in several forms. If you feel like you have been treated unfairly due to your actions as a whistleblower (or any workplace discrimination), contact a lawyer who specializes in whistleblower cased.
An employment lawyer can go over your legal rights if you have been demoted, ostracized, or even transferred unjustly. Each state had different statutes of limitations, so contact a lawyer quickly. Don’t let yourself be punished for doing the right thing.
What Is A Whistleblower Claim?
Whistleblowers are standing up for what is right. And they should not be penalized for it. When you see, witness, or have evidence of your employer engaging in fraud or criminal activity, you can file a whistleblower claim through an attorney. Your lawyer can explain your options and the protections available to you under the law.
From there, your attorney can help build your case. They are there to ensure your interests are protected during this process. For instance, has someone else in your company filed a whistleblower claim for the thing you have witnessed or have evidence of? Does this impact the protections offered to you?
Once you and your attorney have outlined your case, you can file a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act. A whistleblower lawsuit is also referred to as a qui tam lawsuit.
Ask Our Team at Amsberry Law Firm What Being a Whistleblower Can Mean
Whether you have faced retaliation, discrimination, or are ready to file a whistleblower claim, contact Amsberry Law Firm. If you are standing up to wrongdoing, we are going to be the ones standing up for you. Contact us through our website form to schedule your no obligation phone consultation. We can also be reached at (210) 354-2244.
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry
Attorney Russell J.G. Amsberry founded the Amsberry Law Firm in 1995 with the goal of providing clients with exceptional, focused representation on their issues. His success as a legal advocate has been reflected in the numerous professional honors he has received, such as speaking engagements and inclusion in Scene in SA magazine’s listing of the best lawyers in San Antonio, a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubble, and an amazing rating from Avvo. [ Attorney Bio ]
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