Taking the initiative to report your employer for misconduct, fraudulent or illegal activity can be difficult. We understand that you are only one person going up against the company you work for. Fortunately, there are laws in place that protect you from retaliation and even reward you for bringing a claim. The Covington whistleblower lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can help you file a whistleblower claim and can protect your rights if any retaliation occurs. Our experienced legal team has handled many whistleblower cases in the past and have over 200 years of combined legal experience. Our attorneys will provide you with a free, confidential consultation where we will review your claim and determine if you have a case.
FILING A WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIM
Under the False Claims Act, individuals are encouraged to report fraudulent activities committed against the government by filing a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the United States. Some of the most common types of claims that are reported include:- Healthcare fraud
- Misuse of money or funds
- Corporate fraud
- Tax fraud
- Pension fraud
- Pollution
- Insider trading
- Filing for false costs or services that leads to a reimbursement from the federal government
- Taking or participating in kickbacks, bribes or rebates in exchange for goods or services that are reimbursed by the federal government
- Billing for services not provided
- Billing for undocumented services
- Making false medical reimbursement claims
- Charging for unnecessary medical claims
- Making fraudulent cost reports
FILING A QUI TAM LAWSUIT
Filing a qui tam lawsuit is a complicated process that has a number of rules and regulations whistleblowers must follow. Most importantly, the reported activity must be previously unknown and original. This type of lawsuit must also be filed by the whistleblower himself, not by a third-party. As a protection for the whistleblower, these cases are always filed under seal. This means the information is not public and only those directly involved in the investigation will be aware of the case. If your company has committed fraud against the federal government and your case is successful, you may be awarded 15 to 30 percent of the damages. Our Covington whistleblower attorneys are well informed on how to handle these types of cases. We will guide you through the entire process and help you build a strong case that demonstrates the fraudulent activity committed by your employer.PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION
One of the biggest hesitations people have when reporting illegal activity in their workplace is a fear of retaliation from their employer. However, there are laws in place at both the state and federal level that provide you with protection. Some common forms of retaliation that employees are protected from can include:- Unexplained termination or suspension
- Sudden transfer to another branch or office
- Blacklisting or exclusion from promotion
- Holding the employee’s pay or pension
- Reduction or loss of pay
- Threats, harassment or intimidation
