Contact our Georgia national whistleblower lawyers today. Call us at 770-643-1606

Beaumont To Pay $84.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act In Federal Whistleblower Case

Bothwell Law Group filed a case that aided whistleblowers in the reporting of fraudulent activity by William Beaumont Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The hospital agreed to pay an $84.5 million settlement to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act of improper relationships with eight referring physicians that led to the submission of false claims to the Medicare, Medicaid and the military Tricare programs.

Federal Whistleblower Attorney

If you have witnessed misuse, fraud or waste of government funds and feel compelled to do something about it, contact us at Bothwell Law Group at 770-643-1606.

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Can I Bet My Life on the Whistleblower Protection Policy?

Whistleblower Protection Policy

Whistleblower Protection PolicyNeed to know more about whistleblowing or the whistleblower protection policy? If you are in the beginning stages of researching, the information can seem complex overwhelming. Let’s break it down for you so you can learn more about the protection in place should you decide to move forward with a whistleblowing case.

Whistleblowing is the term for bringing a legal case, called a qui tam, on behalf of the government, against a company who is committing fraud. Typical examples include things like Medicare fraud or defense contract fraud. However, there are several types of fraud occurring in numerous industries. The regulations regarding how and when you need to report the fraud vary according to industry and location, so it’s important to work with an attorney who understands these complexities.

People often avoid whistleblowing due to fear of retaliation, such as the loss of a job or possible loss of promotion or benefits. Fortunately, the government has provided protections against such retaliation. These policies were designed to keep a whistleblower from being punished for revealing fraudulent business practices. But how powerful are these protections? Will they prevent you from losing your very livelihood?

Whistleblower Protection Policies Are Extensive

Employers cannot legally take what is termed “adverse action” against workers who report fraudulent activities. According to the US Department of Labor, these measures include:

  • Firing or laying off
  • Reducing pay or hours
  • Blacklisting workers
  • Reassigning workers to positions affecting promotion prospects
  • Demoting workers
  • Making any threats
  • Denying overtime or any promotion
  • Intimidation or harassment
  • Discipline an employee due to reporting
  • Failure to hire or rehire
  • Denying benefits

While it seems these protections cover any possible job-related problems, the real question is, do they work? If your employer does fire you from your job or denies you compensation or benefits, what recourse do you have?

What Types of Actions Does Whistleblower Protection Cover?

The laws protecting whistleblowers vary widely; some of the laws only cover a complaint to a particular agency. Some laws require an employee to notify their employers before they file a claim, so the employer has a chance to correct the wrongdoing. In recent years, one court ruled that telling the boss you were going to sue for overtime is NOT protected; only filing the complaint is protected.

The point is it can be incredibly confusing trying to make sense of all the different laws. It’s even more difficult to follow the law if you don’t know what it is! Protection only works if you know how to use it.

Imagine being caught in a wave tossing storm out on a huge lake in a tiny little rowboat. As the water comes pouring over the sides, you are going to want a life jacket if you capsize. What if you didn’t bring one along because you didn’t know where they were? The sad fact is you’d be treading some pretty ugly waters, only because you didn’t know a thing about what could protect you. It works the same way with the law.

How Can I Get Whistleblower Protection If I Don’t Know the Law?

Just like you can get some fantastic Italian food by going to an excellent restaurant with a chef straight from Tuscany, you can also get all the safety and protection you need when you file a whistleblower case by hiring an attorney who knows the lay of the land.

You may think the only thing you need to consider when hiring an attorney for your whistleblower case is their win/loss record in court cases. This myth is just not true. There are some huge variables in whistleblowing that you need to consider before you make a decision. When you think of all the types of fraud, the many different industries involved, and the details of what constitutes fraud in each one, there is a lot at stake. When you add in the huge variation in the protection laws, well, the level of knowledge and information needed to keep you safe is pushing astronomical. Do you want an attorney who spends their time settling divorces or DUIs to be your ace in the hole?

It’s important to find an attorney who knows all the details of an effective whistleblower strategy. It’s even more important to make sure your attorney can protect you from retaliation fallout that could leave your career smashed to smithereens. Because these laws are different from industry to industry, you need the guidance of someone who can direct you to the step-by-step actions to take for protection. The laws also differ from state to state, so make sure you don’t bypass the process of finding an attorney who knows how to help you.

The right attorney will not only make sure to file your complaint with every detail completed correctly, but he or she will also strive to keep you protected in your job. Learn more about whistleblower protection policy by contacting Bothwell Law Group online.

How Can a Federal Fraud Whistleblower Attorney Help Me as a Whistleblower?

Federal Fraud Whistleblower Attorney

Federal Fraud Whistleblower AttorneyIf you have information regarding fraudulent crimes against the government, the best thing you can do is hire a federal fraud whistleblower attorney to handle your case. Being represented by a lawyer who has experience and knowledge in federal fraud whistleblowing means they will protect your rights. Having this protection will enable you to relax, knowing you’ve done the right thing without having to pay the price for someone else’s crime.

Bringing evidence of fraud against the federal government is a daunting task, especially when your job is in the mix. When you have a federal fraud whistleblower attorney on your side, it’s like having a protective covering over your steps. You can release all the stress of missing a step or failing to fill out the proper documentation because your attorney knows how to cover every single detail.

Look at it this way. You wouldn’t spend a day at the beach without an umbrella for protection from the blazing sun, would you? Of course not! When you have an attorney who knows every detail of federal fraud whistleblower cases, you’re protected from unforeseen circumstances.

Your Federal Fraud Whistleblower Attorney Is on Your Side

When you bring a fraud case to the attention of the government, it can feel like that is the last decision you make. After all, the government does the investigation to uncover the evidence. The government decides whether the fraud constitutes a crime. They decide if the case has merit and should go to court. Then they decide all the details about how to present the case. It can feel like there is nothing more you can do.

If you have an attorney who knows the ins and outs of whistleblower fraud law, however, you have someone who has a vested interest in your side.  With a lawyer trained in whistleblower law, you can be assured your rights are protected, both at your job and in the court proceedings. In fact, should the government decide not to bring a court case forward, your attorney can help you decide if you should move forward on your own.

Your Federal Fraud Whistleblower Attorney Can Protect Your Job

Federal law protects whistleblowers’ jobs. In 1989, whistleblower laws were amended to provide protection to employees who inform the government about illegal fraud practices. Although there are laws in place to protect against loss of employment as well as harassment in the form of promotion denials, denials of wage increases and many other aspects of employment, these unfair and illegal practices still happen frequently.

Having an attorney who knows the law and how to enforce it could be one of the best reasons for hiring a federal fraud whistleblower attorney. Most of us have no idea how many protection laws are in place to safeguard the whistleblower’s job, earnings, and benefits. With the right attorney, you could make sure you receive two times any back pay, plus interest if you are let go or demoted for whistleblowing. You can also get your seniority status reinstated as a matter of law if you return to your position.

Your Federal Fraud Whistleblower Attorney Can Protect Your Freedom

If you are aware of fraud concerning Medicare and Medicaid, and you do NOT disclose the fraud, you could be looking at some legal consequences of your own. Known as “failure to disclose,” this law states that failing to report health care program fraud is a crime in itself. By contacting an attorney who knows the details of this and other whistleblower laws, you know you have someone who is going to protect you legally from the first step of disclosure all the way through to the resolution of the case.

The penalties for failure to disclose unlawful Medicare or Medicaid payments or overcharges are highest for the provider who receives the fees and doesn’t inform the government. That provider is committing a felony and can face a fine up to $25,000 as well as prison time for as long as five years. While the penalties for an employee are much lower fines and a misdemeanor offense, you can be prosecuted for not sharing what you know.

If you are aware of fraudulent business practices that are stealing money from the government, you need to make sure you get representation to both protect and reward you for the risk in reporting it. You need a federal fraud whistleblower attorney to work alongside you to win your case. Contact our team of skilled federal fraud whistleblower attorneys at Bothwell Law Group by calling 770.643.1606 today.