Gainesville Whistleblower Cases

Gainesville Whistleblower Cases

Do you believe your employer has been engaging in fraudulent actions that have hurt the government?  Have you experienced negative employment actions for reporting your boss? You may be entitled to compensation. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the complex state and federal laws that protect whistleblowers.

At Allen Law Firm, P.A., our attorneys are experienced in handling Gainesville whistleblower cases.

Give us a call today at (877) 255-3652 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights under the law.

How Can an Experienced Lawyer Help With My Gainesville Whistleblower Case?

How Can an Experienced Lawyer Help With My Gainesville Whistleblower Case?

It can be hard to stand up to your employer when you think they’re doing something illegal. You might know that there are protections out there for people who do what’s right. You might not know that you could be entitled to compensation for helping the government prevent fraud.

Whistleblower laws are extremely complex. You have to satisfy certain detailed requirements in order to get the compensation you deserve. If you’ve already taken action and lost your job because of it, the situation can be even more complex. An experienced Gainesville whistleblower lawyer can help you take advantage of the full protection available under the law.

When you hire Allen Law Firm, P.A. to represent your interests in a whistleblower lawsuit, you’ll gain an attorney who will:

  • Help you understand the complex laws that apply in whistleblower cases
  • Make sure your information is delivered in the correct format to the correct agencies
  • Fight to make sure you get your full share of compensation
  • Stand up to your employer and protect your rights when your employer tries to retaliate
  • Answers all of your questions and keep you informed about what to expect throughout the legal process

If you think your company is violating the law, you don’t have to be complicit. Employees all across the country are taking action and standing up for their rights. If you suspect that something isn’t right, it never hurts to sit down with a Gainesville personal injury lawyer with experience handling whistleblower claims.

Your first consultation is always free–and you won’t have to pay us attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. Make sure your future is protected. Call our law offices for your free case review today.

What is a Whistleblower Case?

A whistleblower is someone who comes forward to accuse their employer of defrauding the government in some way. The government needs this type of inside information in order to effectively stop fraud. However, both the federal and state government know that it can be difficult for people to come forward when their jobs are on the line.

Whistleblower laws provide protection against unfair employment retaliation. They also offer financial incentives to whistleblowers. 

To qualify, the information you provide has to be original. That means the government can’t already know about it. If the government hasn’t approached you, you’ll file a complaint with the relevant government agency. The government will then investigate to determine whether to take action.

Some of the most commonly used whistleblower laws include:

Federal False Claims Act

The False Claims Act is a federal law that protects whistleblowers. It allows an employee to file a claim against their employer on behalf of the federal government. These actions are also called “qui tam” claims. The individual who files the claim is sometimes called a “relator.”

Under the law, the government essentially provides a financial incentive for people with relevant information to come forward. The financial incentives, combined with protection against employment retaliation, have helped the government recover billions.

Florida Whistleblower Laws

Florida, like many other states, also has its own whistleblower law. 

The Florida False Claims Act protects people who disclose information about someone who:

  • Knowingly presents a false claim for payment
  • Knowingly makes or uses a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim
  • Conspires to defraud the government
  • Delivers less than all of money or property earmarked to be used by the state
  • Knowingly avoids or decreases a payment that was supposed to be made to the government

The Florida law protects employees who come forward on their own and provide written information or who are asked to participate in an investigation. It also protects employees from retaliation if they refuse to participate in some type of illegal activity.

Whistleblowers May Recover Significant Compensation

Both the federal and state government provide financial compensation to whistleblowers who come forward with relevant information. Under Florida and federal laws, you might receive:

  • Between 15% and 25% of amounts recovered by the attorney general
  • Between 25% and 30% of the amount recovered if the whistleblower proceeds without government intervention

These compensation awards can be significant. Defendants in whistleblower cases can be ordered to pay the government up to three times the amount of the actual harm that was caused. The federal law similarly authorizes the government to recover treble damages from a guilty party. 

You might also be entitled to recover any attorneys’ fees and costs that you incurred because you took action.

We Handle All Types of Whistleblower Cases in Gainesville

At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’re here to help with any type of whistleblower case, including cases involving:

  • Misuse of disaster relief funds
  • Medicare/Medicaid fraud or overbilling
  • Misuse of government grants
  • Healthcare fraud
  • Overbilling a government agency
  • Defense contract overages
  • Mortgage fraud
  • IRS tax fraud
  • Violations of financial reform laws
  • And more

It can be difficult to know whether you have a valid whistleblower act case. It can also be hard to understand whether you’re entitled to protection or compensation under the law. Our attorneys at Allen Law Firm, P.A. will help you navigate all of the potential issues that you might face.

Doing what’s right isn’t always easy. But you don’t have to do it alone. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our law offices in Gainesville, Florida to get the legal advice you deserve.

Florida and Federal Protection Against Retaliation for Whistleblowers

One of the scariest aspects of reporting an employer’s violation is the potential for retaliation. You might be afraid that you’ll lose your job or suffer other negative employment consequences if you become a whistleblower.

Types of retaliation may include:

  • Employment termination
  • Making work conditions unbearable to force employees to quit
  • Pay reductions
  • Passing you up for a promotion
  • Changing your job title
  • Changing your employment responsibilities
  • On-the-job harassment
  • Unexplained negative performance reviews 

You don’t have to sit back and take these types of discrimination. Your employer can be held liable for damages if they take any retaliatory action based on your whistleblower case. Our experienced whistleblower lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. will fight to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Am I Protected Under Whistleblower Laws?

Whistleblower laws protect a wide range of activities. 

You may be entitled to formal protection if you:

  • Refused to participate in illegal activity at work
  • Filed a written complaint with a government agency
  • Participated in an ongoing government investigation
  • Participated in legal action against your employer
  • Called a whistleblower hotline

If you aren’t certain, it’s always a smart idea to talk with a lawyer. It’s also important to maintain complete documentation of anything that happened. Relevant documentation might include:

  • Any documentation related to your employer’s actions
  • All papers associated with any complaint that you filed, whether with your employer or the government
  • Emails, texts, and communications both before and after you took action
  • Information about any changes in your employment after you took action
  • Statements from any witnesses who might have information about conditions in the workplace

Our attorneys can help you find the information you need to protect your rights. Give us a call today to discuss your case if you have any questions.

Statute of Limitations in Florida Whistleblower Cases

There are a number of different time limits that apply in whistleblower cases. Generally, you’re required to file your claim within six years of the date the defendant committed the action.

If your employer took retaliatory action, you’re required to file a complaint within two years of that action.

Whistleblower cases can get complicated quickly–especially if the federal government gets involved. It’s important to have a skilled whistleblower attorney by your side from day one. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’re always here to help. Just give us a call to learn more about how we can help with your case.

Contact an Attorney Experienced in Handling Gainesville Whistleblower Cases Today

At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we know that it can be difficult to speak up when something isn’t right at work. We also know that navigating the complex whistleblower laws can be intimidating. Don’t let that stop you from protecting yourself. You might be able to stop the fraudulent activities and also recover financial compensation.

Our lawyers are experienced with Gainesville whistleblower cases. We’ll help you stand up for what’s right. If you’re ready to learn more, call our law firm for a free consultation today.

Our personal injury law firm in Gainesville, FL also provides: