Pennsylvania Whistleblower Lawyer | Report Fraud & Workplace Violations

Personal Injury Lawyers / Pennsylvania Whistleblower Lawyer | Report Fraud & Workplace Violations

If you have seen fraud, safety violations, or illegal activities at work, you have legal rights. Federal whistleblower laws protect you. At Munley Law, our skilled whistleblower lawyers have helped workers across the country. We have assisted in reporting violations, getting financial rewards, and protecting them from workplace retaliation. For over 65 years, we have helped clients recover millions of dollars in federal courts nationwide.

No matter what issue you have, our team knows the federal laws involved and can use that knowledge to help your case. These laws serve to protect whistleblowers across the country. Some whistleblower laws can vary state by state. Our Pennsylvania whistleblower lawyers are ready to stand by you no matter where your case is. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Types of Whistleblower Cases Do We Handle?

Whistleblower reports often involve fraud and violations that can harm the government, public safety, or financial markets. We have experience in handling such diverse cases as –

• Healthcare Fraud: involving Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud, unnecessary medical procedures, pharmaceutical kickbacks, or nursing home abuse affecting healthcare systems nationwide.
• Government Contractor Fraud: which includes overbilling, defective products, false certifications, and bid rigging, involves defense contractors or government suppliers nationwide.
• Financial Services Violations: consisting of securities fraud, banking violations, and consumer protection violations affecting financial institutions, or investment firms nationwide.
• Environmental Crimes: made up of illegal dumping, air quality violations, water contamination, or environmental permit fraud in industrial facilities across the United States.
• Workplace Safety Violations: often include OSHA violations, construction safety failures, or other occupational health hazards that endanger workers nationwide.

Each type of violation may be protected under different federal laws, with varying reward structures and legal procedures. Our whistleblower lawyers can evaluate which laws apply to your specific situation.

How Do I Know If I Should Report Workplace Violations?

Not every workplace concern qualifies for whistleblower protection. To have a valid whistleblower case, your situation must involve:

• Protected Activity: Reporting violations of federal laws, regulations, or rules that protect public health, safety, or financial interests. This includes refusing to participate in illegal activities or testifying in investigations.
• Good Faith Requirement: You must reasonably believe the reported conduct violates the law. You don’t need absolute proof, but your belief must be based on credible information or observations.

You can report violations to different places. Depending on the type of violation, you may contact government agencies, law enforcement, or your supervisor. You can also file qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act.

There are numerous types of reportable violations. For example, billing Medicare for services not provided, selling defective military equipment, hiding environmental contamination, or falsifying safety inspection records would all be considered reportable. If you are not sure if your situation qualifies, talk to a whistleblower attorney. They can help you understand your legal options and protections.

What Legal Protections and Compensation Are Available?

Whistleblowers are protected under comprehensive federal laws, each offering different types of protection and potential financial recovery.

Federal Whistleblower Protections and Rewards

• False Claims Act: This strong federal whistleblower law lets private citizens file qui tam lawsuits for the government. Successful whistleblowers can receive 15-30% of the government’s recovery. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice recovered more than $2.68 billion from False Claim Act cases. Whistleblowers received about $406 million in rewards.
• The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Protects workers at public companies. It helps those who report securities fraud, shareholder fraud, or SEC rule violations. Remedies include reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages.
• Dodd-Frank Act: Provides financial rewards to whistleblowers who report securities violations to the SEC. The SEC has awarded over $1.3 billion to whistleblowers since the program began in 2012.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): Protects workers who report workplace safety violations or refuse to work in unsafe conditions.
• Consumer Financial Protection Act: Protects whistleblowers who report violations involving consumer financial products or services to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• IRS Whistleblower Program: Rewards individuals who report substantial tax fraud or underpayment. The IRS has paid over $1 billion in awards since the program’s enhancement in 2006.
• Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Program: This program helps and rewards people. It protects those who report violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws.

The type and amount of compensation depend on the law that was broken. It also depends on how much the government recovers and if you faced retaliation.

How Should I Prepare and Protect Myself Before Reporting?

The proper preparation is key to protecting yourself and building a strong whistleblower case. Before you make any reports, make sure you take these important steps:

• Document everything. Make sure that you have preserved all relevant documents., emails, policies and records related to the violations. Create copies that you store outside of your workplace. Be sure that you include dates, names of people involved and specific details of what you observed.
• Keep detailed records. Keep a log or journal of any violations you see. Be sure to include the date, time, location, people there, and what you observed. If there are any conversations about the violations, make note of their substance and your employer’s response.
• Passive electronic evidence. Save all related emails, text messages, computer files and other digital records. Take screenshots if necessary. Be sure to follow your company’s policies regarding data access and removal, as they could use infractions as an excuse as to why they took retaliatory action against you.
• Avoid public discussion. Limit with whom you discuss your concerns. Avoid bringing them up on social media or with coworkers who are not directly involved. Doing so can potentially damage your case and possibly violate confidentiality requirements.
• Consider internal reporting first. In some cases, reporting internally to your company may be required before filing any external complaints. This is not always a prerequisite, and sometimes, it can increase your retaliation risk.
• Talk to a Lawyer. Meeting with a whistleblower lawyer before you report can help you know your rights. They can also help you pick the best way to report and protect you from retaliation.

Good preparation helps protect your legal rights and personal safety. It also makes sure that your report is taken seriously by investigators.

What Are My Legal Deadlines and Case Timeline Expectations?

Whistleblower cases have strict deadlines. These deadlines depend on which law applies to your specific situation. If you miss this deadline you can forfeit your right to protection and compensation.

Critical Filing Deadlines

Federal deadlines vary by statute:

• Sarbanes-Oxley Act: 180 days from retaliation
• Occupational Safety and Health Act: 30 days from retaliation
• Dodd-Frank Act: 180 days from retaliation for anti-retaliation claims
• False Claims Act: 6 years from violation (3 years from when government knew or should have known)
• SEC Whistleblower Program: No specific deadline, but earlier reporting is better
• IRS Whistleblower Program: Generally must be filed before the IRS initiates an audit or investigation

The “discovery rule” may apply in some cases. This means deadlines begin when you were aware or should have been aware of the violation or retaliation. It does not start from when the event actually occurred.

Typical Case Timeline

• Initial Investigation (60-90 days): Government agencies review your complaint and decide whether to investigate. During this period, your identity may be protected under seal in qui tam cases.
• Government Investigation (6 months to 2 years): Federal agencies conduct thorough investigations, which can include document review, interviews, and coordination with other agencies.
• Resolution Phase (1-3 years): Cases may settle during negotiations, or proceed to administrative hearings or federal court trials. Settlement discussions often occur throughout the process.

Several factors can affect timeline, including case complexity, government agency workload, employer cooperation, and whether multiple agencies are involved. Your whistleblower attorney can provide more specific timeline estimates based on your particular situation.

Can My Employer Retaliate Against Me for Whistleblowing?

When an employer takes negative action against an employee who has reported a violation or cooperated with government investigators, that is known as “retaliation.” Federal law strongly prohibits this. There are severe penalties for it. Unfortunately, despite those penalties, retaliation still occurs. Recognizing it early is important for protecting your rights.

Illegal Forms of Retaliation

Retaliation can take many forms beyond outright termination:

• Firing, demotion, or suspension
• Reduction in pay, hours, or benefits
• Negative performance evaluations or disciplinary actions
• Harassment, intimidation, or hostile work environment
• Exclusion from meetings, projects, or workplace activities
• Threats against family members or references

Your Legal Remedies

If you experience retaliation, you may be entitled to:

• Reinstatement to your former position
• Back pay for lost wages and benefits
• Compensatory damages for emotional distress and other losses
• Attorney fees and litigation costs
• Punitive damages in cases involving willful violations

Immediate Steps if Retaliation Occurs

Keep a record of all retaliatory actions. Include dates, witnesses and specific details. This is information you will need to support your report when you file it with the appropriate government agency. You should also consult with a workplace retaliation attorney as soon as possible.

In retaliation cases, you must show that your protected whistleblowing activity directly led to the negative job action. However, employers can defend themselves if they can prove they would have taken the same action for legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons.

How Do I Choose the Right Whistleblower Attorney?

Selecting an experienced whistleblower lawyer protects your rights and maximizes your potential recovery. Look for these essential qualifications:

• Federal Court Experience: Whistleblower cases often involve complex federal laws and procedures. Your attorney should have experience practicing in federal courts across multiple jurisdictions.
• Track Record with Your Violation Type: Different types of fraud require specific knowledge. Healthcare fraud cases involve Medicare regulations and medical billing practices, while government contractor fraud requires understanding of federal procurement rules. Experienced whistleblower attorneys have built strong connections with agencies. These include the Department of Justice, SEC, and the Department of Health and Human Services. They also work with the Environmental Protection Agency, IRS, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Fee Structure Understanding: Most whistleblower attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning you pay only if you recover money. However, fee arrangements can vary, especially for retaliation claims versus reward cases.
• Proven Results: Find attorneys who have won large settlements for whistleblower clients. They should also have experience with retaliation cases in federal courts.

Choose a firm that has the resources and experience to handle cases in various federal agencies. Make sure they can work in different court districts across the country. At Munley Law, our whistleblower team has years of experience. We also have a strong understanding of federal whistleblower laws and court systems. We’ve helped clients nationwide navigate complex government investigations while protecting them from workplace retaliation.

What Happens During the Whistleblower Legal Process?

Understanding the whistleblower legal process helps you prepare for what to expect when reporting violations or filing claims.

Government Investigation Procedures

After a whistleblower complaint is filed, government agencies investigate thoroughly. They may review documents, interview witnesses, conduct site inspections, and work with other agencies. During this phase, agencies determine whether violations occurred and what enforcement actions to take.

Qui Tam Seal Requirements and Confidentiality

False Claims Act cases start under court seal. This means your identity and the case details stay private while the government looks into it. This seal period typically lasts 60 days but can be extended multiple times. The confidentiality protects both the investigation’s integrity and your safety from retaliation.

Settlement Negotiation Process

Many whistleblower cases settle before trial through negotiations between the government, defendants, and your attorney. Settlement discussions can occur throughout the process and often result in faster resolution and lower legal costs than trials.

Trial Preparation if Necessary

If cases don’t settle, they may proceed to administrative hearings or federal court trials. Your attorney will prepare evidence, witness testimony, and legal arguments while keeping you informed throughout the process.

Your whistleblower attorney is your advocate at every stage. They protect your legal interests and help you understand your rights and options.

If you’ve witnessed fraud, safety violations, or other illegal activities in your workplace, don’t wait to seek legal guidance.  Our experienced team is ready to help you report violations safely while protecting your career and financial future. Call (570) 865-4699 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a whistleblower attorney.