If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, you should call a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA right now. At no time should you be punished for doing what is right. In many cases, there are laws that protect you. For a century and a half, some whistleblowers are offered both legal and monetary protection. When you’re facing a situation related to whistleblowing, it is prudent you have a leading Philadelphia, PA whistleblower lawyer on your side. Wieand Law Firm, LLC, has years of experience in protecting whistleblowers across a broad range of industries. Let us help you today.
Whistleblower allegations, and the lawsuits that may follow, are complex. They are a very specific type of litigation that involve special procedures and unique considerations. It is important to present the courts with a well documented case in order to persuade the government to investigate. Once this happens, the chances of receiving a monetary award for exposing the illegal activity may increase. In addition to this, a whistleblower lawyer may help to protect the anonymity of the whistleblower, as well as any potential retaliation.
When you call our firm, we’ll listen to what you have to say and review the evidence supporting your allegations. If we believe your case could be stronger, we may discuss some further steps that can be taken. We might also recommend reporting the incident, or taking other action, prior to filing a whistleblower claim. After this step, we will need to determine what kind of case to file, such as a qui tam lawsuit or another whistleblower program.
We know your case will be more successful if the government intervenes. We’ll guide you through this delicate process and ensure your case is composed in such a way that the government takes notice. Once a claim has been submitted, government officials might ask to meet with you. Our whistleblower lawyers in Philadelphia, PA will prepare you for, and accompany you to, these meetings.
Depending on your case, you may be entitled to a portion of a whistleblower award. The government has discretion in deciding the amount which means it is important to have a lawyer ensure you don’t receive anything less than what you deserve.
Although whistleblowing has been in recent news, it has ancient precedents, dating all the way back to ancient Rome. Government has always relied on its citizens to help enforce the law, and whistleblower or qui tam statute is intended to encourage this. However, the legal professionals at the Wieand Law Firm understand that pursuing a qui tam lawsuit is not undertaken lightly. Those who report malfeasance in the corporate world, academia and even the government itself face serious repercussions and even retaliation. This is why having a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA is a good idea before filing a claim.
TV and movies are full of whistleblowers who risk everything to bring down individuals or groups. They are centered as brave individuals who expose corruption and illegal activity by leaders, government officials and corporations. While whistleblowing is a critical activity and courage, you may worry about the type of attention doing the right thing will bring you. When talking to a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, you may find that most of the ideas of whistleblowers that you have are myths.
When it comes to calling out injustice or illegal actions perpetrated by your company, you have every right to do so without buying into the myths. The following are the most common misconceptions about whistleblowing.
You never have to compromise your career to be a whistleblower. While it is true that employers may try to retaliate against whistleblowers, there are laws against retaliation. You have a right to report illegal behavior within your company without losing your position or any future promotions that belong to you. By reporting your company, you are not disloyal. Instead, you are loyal to the company’s stated goals rather than the organization’s behavior.
If you blow the whistle on your supervisor or employer, you do not have to reveal your identity. Many investigators can press charges without revealing the identity of the whistleblower. Your identity can remain anonymous throughout the investigation. Likewise, if you want to go public, you have the option to do so. Sometimes a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, may suggest coming out with the information to create a support system for yourself.
Some people think that if a whistleblower has a bias against the wrongdoers, they may speak up for the wrong reasons. The only time bias matters is if the information given by the accuser is inaccurate due to the bias. If your information helps the authorities catch the perpetrators, it doesn’t matter how you feel about the corporation or individuals.
While you need to have credible information, it doesn’t mean that you have to be directly involved with the situation you’re bringing attention to. If you have less bias and attachment to the people you are talking about, you may be seen as more credible. As long as you have evidence of wrong-doing, it does not have to impact you directly.
Before you decide to step forward as a whistleblower, there are a few things that you need to know. Understanding how you should proceed will give you the best chance at having your case succeed and to have serious wrongs righted. Wieand Law Firm wants to help you take the right steps in your whistleblower case — and protect yourself along the way.
It’s not easy to decide that you want to step in as a whistleblower. You may find it is one of the hardest decisions of your life. Before you step forward with your revealing information, it is imperative that you connect with an experienced whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia PA. You need a knowledgeable attorney to guide you through this process and make sure that you have a viable case. There are many times where claims are rejected, and the best way to avoid this happening to you is to have a good lawyer on your side.
Wieand Law Firm advises all whistleblowers not to wait long to come forward. Not only is acting quickly after finding out about fraud essential to your case, but also if you don’t come forward in time, someone else likely will. Whistleblower laws are extremely time-sensitive, so revealing the truth swiftly is extremely important. The amount of your reward can also vary based on how quickly you reported the fraud. At the same time, any whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia PA would tell you to make sure you are positive that you witnessed the fraud taking place before you point fingers. It’s a delicate balance to manage, but speaking to an attorney about how to proceed will make all the difference in the world for your particular case.
For some whistleblowers, it may be tempting to report fraud to your company’s human resources department first. While some organizations may reward this type of behavior, you have to be careful and confirm that the fraud is adequately addressed and not continued or undermined. It can feel safer at the time to file a report internally, but it might end up being more dangerous. You can have more protection from federal whistleblower laws than you could ever have from your company. Hiring a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia PA to represent and guide you is the best way to report your claims safely.
The original meaning of “qui tam” (short for qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur) was “they who sue on behalf of the king as well as themselves.” Obviously, the U.S. does not have a king, but the principle is the same; you, as a private citizen, are taking legal action on behalf of the government. Most commonly, a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA sees qui tam claims filed under the FCA, or False Claims Act.
Also called the “Lincoln Law” (it was signed during the American Civil War), the FCA specifically covers lawsuits against companies and individuals who commit fraud against the Federal government. The majority of qui tam claims in recent years have involved government contractors in health care and defense industries. However, any situation in which the public is being defrauded and/or injured is fair game for a whistleblower lawsuit.
You can certainly file your own qui tam claim, but it is far better to have a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA representing you. First of all, you as the whistleblower, or relator, must persuade the government to intervene. In order for this to happen, you need solid evidence to back your allegations. If the government decides not to intervene, it is still possible to proceed with a qui tam lawsuit, but the chances of success are much lower.
When a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA successfully argues your qui tam case, you as the relator are entitled to a percentage of any recovery. This is generally between 15 and 30 percent, and many whistleblower cases involve millions of dollars.
Another reason why getting representation from the Wiend Law Firm is wise is the danger of retaliation. Although it is illegal, it does happen, and your lawyer can help protect you and your family.
If you are ready to blow the whistle on an illegal activity you’ve discovered at your place of employment, you should not delay in having a whistleblower lawyer in Philadelphia, PA on your side. Call Wieand Law Firm, LLC now to get started.
