Assistance With Whistleblower Cases And Retaliation Suits

Pennsylvania and federal laws have strengthened legislation supporting employees who report illegal activity by their employers in recent years. The Whistleblower Protection Act, which originally only covered public-sector employees, has been amended to cover any nonprofit organization or private employer that receives funds from the commonwealth. At the federal level, numerous government regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Act and Sarbanes-Oxley Act, include a whistleblower policy that protects individuals reporting federal violations by their employer.

Despite these protections, some individuals who report unlawful activities may be harassed, demoted or even fired in retaliation. None of these actions are legal. Michael J. Betts LLC, based in Pittsburgh, is headed by an experienced employment law attorney with more than 35 years of experience. Mr. Betts represents both employers and employees in whistleblower suits. He is a highly effective litigator who can represent you in court or resolve your case in mediation or arbitration.

How Are Whistleblowers Protected?

Many whistleblower claims at the federal level are pursued under the False Claims Act and are referred to as “qui tam” cases. In a qui tam case, a whistleblower brings an action on behalf of the government to recover funds that were diverted through fraud. Many of these cases involve Medicare and Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud and other types of fraud impacting the federal government and its agencies. The False Claims Act contains provisions that can provide financial rewards for whistleblowers whose lawsuits result in the recovery of government funds

At the state level, the protections extended to whistleblowing employees in relation to the illegal activity they observe may include:

  • The right not to participate in the illegal activity
  • Testifying truthfully about the activity
  • The right to not be discriminated against due to their whistleblowing
  • Retaining the right to file for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits
  • The right not to be fired based upon their good-faith reporting of an illegal activity

If you have been fired after engaging in whistleblowing activity, you have the right to file a wrongful termination lawsuit. As with reporting the wrongdoing itself, this type of lawsuit has a filing deadline, so it is best to contact an employment lawyer as soon as possible to preserve valuable evidence.

If an employee claims improper retaliation after a whistleblower report, we can protect your best interests. We understand that the employee may misunderstand or misinterpret your actions. We can provide the experienced legal representation you need to protect your firm’s reputation and financial stability.

Contact Our Accomplished Lawyer For Assistance

If you require assistance with employment law, you can rely on the firm of Michael J. Betts LLC to represent you through any legal proceedings. To discuss your case, call our office in Pittsburgh at 412-935-7073 or use our confidential online contact form.