The False Claims Act protects whistleblowers against employer retaliation, including termination, suspension, demotion, harassment and other discriminatory treatment.

For an individual who learns that a company, often their employer, is engaged in fraud on the government, the decision to blow the whistle can be overwhelming. Your reputation, your career, and sometimes your safety may be at stake, but protections exist to shield whistleblowers.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS

The right whistleblower lawyer can help ensure you are taking every measure to successfully and safely blow the whistle with available protections. It is critical that you consult an attorney immediately upon determining that you are being retaliated against.

Employers who violate federal whistleblower protection provisions face substantial punishment for taking action against a whistleblower employee, including:

  • reinstatement with the same seniority status
  • twice the amount of back pay, plus interest
  • compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the whistleblower's discrimination
  • litigation costs and attorneys’ fees

WHAT FALSE CLAIMS ACT WHISTLEBLOWERS SHOULD KNOW

False Claims Act whistleblowers can also receive protection regardless of whether a whistleblower lawsuit is ever filed. Conducting a fraud investigation is considered action “in furtherance of” efforts to stop the fraud. This whistleblower protection ensures that those who step up to try to stop fraud, even if it does not result in a qui tam lawsuit, are protected against retaliation.

In order to successfully rely upon the protections and remedies of the False Claims Act’s retaliation provisions, whistleblowers must ultimately prove:

  • that they took action in furtherance of efforts to stop violations of the False Claims Act;
  • that the employer was aware of those efforts; and
  • that their employer retaliated because of those efforts.
MORE ABOUT THE FALSE CLAIMS ACT

ABOUT THE FALSE CLAIMS ACT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

LAWS AND STATUTES

HAGENS BERMAN'S QUI TAM WHISTLEBLOWER PRACTICE