what is a whistleblower and retaliation lawyer in washington dc

Why hire a whistleblower retaliation lawyer?

Jun 24, 2020 · At Eric Siegel we have represented courageous whistleblowers who seek justice and compensation for being subjected to retaliation for exposing corporate and governmental wrongdoing. New Clients: (202) 972-5515 |

Where can I get help with DC whistleblower issues?

Washington, D.C. Whistleblower Lawyers Provide Strong Advocacy Tenacious attorneys litigate workplace retaliation cases for workers and businesses Whistleblowers perform a valuable public service by revealing illegal and harmful conduct that might otherwise remain hidden from scrutiny, but they also put their careers at risk.

What are the damages for emotional distress under whistleblower protection laws?

It’s what we do. The Washington DC whistleblower attorneys at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto provide leading representation under the Securities and Exchange Act, Commodities Futures Trading Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act as well as the Washington DC False Claims Act. Our law firm has first-hand knowledge of whistleblower reward laws with deep roots in …

What is retaliation for opposing unlawful conduct in the workplace?

Contact a Washington, D.C. Employment Lawyer About Whistleblower Actions. An employment lawyer can help you report corrupt and illegal activity in your workplace while protecting your own legal rights. Contact the employment lawyers at HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Washington, D.C. to set up a consultation. Call 202-871-8188, schedule a call ...

What is retaliation whistleblower?

Whistleblower retaliation is any adverse action that a company takes against an employee because he or she has reported, either internally, illegal conduct on the part of a company. Termination is an extreme form of retaliation.

What are whistle blower and anti retaliation laws?

The Department of Labor is here to protect your rights. An employer cannot retaliate against you for exercising your rights under the Department of Labor's whistleblower protection laws. Retaliation includes such actions as firing or laying off, demoting, denying overtime or promotion, or reducing pay or hours.

How do you prove retaliation whistleblower?

To prove retaliation or whistleblowing, you must show that you were fired because of your complaint or report. Timing is crucial: The less time between your complaint and your employer's negative action against you, the stronger your claim is.

Is whistleblower retaliation a crime?

The Prohibited Personnel Practices Act amended United States Code, Title 5: Government Organization and Employees to provide federal employees with whistleblower protection. The law forbids retaliation for whistleblowing.

What makes a strong retaliation case?

Retaliation lawsuits can be won when the following is proven: The employee experienced or witness unlawful discrimination or harassment. The employee engaged in a protected workplace activity. The employer took an adverse action against the employee in response.Jul 26, 2021

What are examples of whistleblower retaliation?

Some common examples of whistleblower retaliation include:Termination or being fired;Suspension;Demotion;Denial of a promotion;Workplace harassment;Ridicule;A hostile or unsafe work environment;Employment penalties or sanctions;More items...•Jul 30, 2020

What should you not say to HR?

10 Things You Should Never Tell HRLeaving While on Leave.Lying to Get Leave Extensions.Lying About Your Qualifications.Changes in Your Partner's Career.Moonlighting.Lawsuits You've Filed Against Employers.Health Issues.Personal Life Issues.More items...•Feb 13, 2021

How do you win the whistleblower case?

Whistleblower LawsuitConfirm that there is an actual “false claim”Collect some evidence if possible.Hire an experienced whistleblower attorney.File a whistleblower complaint under seal.Offer to help the government with the investigation.Be patient with the process.Collect the largest possible reward.

How do you fight retaliation at work?

You can prevent retaliation in your business by using some of these strategies.Provide company-wide training. ... Encourage employees to speak up. ... Provide intensive manager training. ... Know how to handle accommodation requests. ... Put it in writing.Jan 2, 2021

What are some examples of retaliation?

Examples of RetaliationTerminating or demoting the employee,Changing his or her job duties or work schedule,Transferring the employee to another position or location,Reducing his or her salary, and.Denying the employee a promotion or pay raise.Jan 23, 2020

What must a whistleblower disclosure include?

A federal employee or applicant makes a protected disclosure if the individual reasonably believes the disclosed conduct constitutes any of the following: „A violation of any federal law, rule, or regulation. Gross mismanagement. A gross waste of funds.

Who should whistleblowers report to?

In most UK cases, whistleblowing disclosures should be made to your employer, however, if you feel unable to do so because you have a real fear of retaliation, or evidence being destroyed, or you have already reported the whistleblowing concern to your employer, you may report your concern directly to the relevant ...

What is the penalty for whistleblowers in Washington DC?

Whistleblowers who present original information leading to sanctions against a violator of the Washington DC False Claims Act, may file a qui tam lawsuit to receive protection and a possible reward. Successful whistleblowers who bring a qui tam suit may receive a portion of the government’s recovery, which is between 15% and 30%.

What are whistleblower laws?

Federal and District of Columbia whistleblower protection laws allow employees to stop, report, or testify about an employer’s illegal, unhealthy, or unethical actions that violate public policies – without risking retaliation. Our Washington DC whistleblower lawyers have won cases, which set precedents preventing companies from using settlement agreements as a way to persuade an employee from reporting fraud to government regulators. Our attorneys have advocated for key reforms protecting federal employees to be included in the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act and have recommended provisions that strengthened protections for corporate employees to incorporate into the Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Why is whistleblowing important?

Whistleblowers perform a vital public service by having the courage to report fraud and misconduct. Whistleblowers assume a considerable risk and need aggressive and highly skilled whistleblower attorneys. As some of the most experienced whistleblower attorneys in the world,

What is a false claim in the District of Columbia?

All claims covered under the federal False Claims Act that concern monies spent (or owed) to the District of Columbia; Fraud committed in obtaining contracts from the District of Columbia, or the willful failure to perform work under D .C. government contracts;

Who won the Qui Tam award?

The whistleblower ’s original information demonstrated that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority had illegally awarded a 14 million dollar contract to Metaformers Inc. The governmental authorities and the whistleblower prevailed in the lawsuit, and the whistleblower obtained his qui tam award.

Is whistleblower law side practice?

Whistleblower law is not just side practice. It’s what we do. The Washington DC whistleblower attorneys at Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto provide leading representation under the Securities and Exchange Act, Commodities Futures Trading Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act as well as the Washington DC False Claims Act.

What happens when you are fired for reporting illegal activity?

What happens when you are fired or victimized for reporting illegal activity? This is where a whistleblower or retaliation lawyer comes in. Every employee has the right to feel safe in the workplace. Therefore, if you witness or feel any form of harassment, abuse of power, questionable practices, or exploitation in the workplace, you should feel safe to report it.

Can whistleblowers file qui tam?

In the District of Columbia, government employees are protected under the D.C. Whistleblower Protection Act. This law lets whistleblowers file qui tam cases if they’re aware of violations of district code.

What is the phone number for Bernabei & Kabat?

If you have knowledge of fraud or wrongdoing by your employer, please call 202-745-1942 or complete our contact form to schedule consultation with an attorney at Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC.

Where is the YMCA located?

We are located in Washington, D.C. , and serve clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

Who is Bernabei & Kabat?

Washington, D.C.-based Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC, is nationally recognized for its successful representation of whistleblowers in government agencies, nuclear power plants, financial institutions and other institutions.

Who are the whistleblower attorneys?

Whistleblower attorneys Eric Bachman and Jason Zuckerman, former senior officials at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, have released a guide for federal employee whistleblowers titled The Whistleblower Protection Act: Empowering Federal Employees to Root Out Waste, Fraud and Abuse and is available for download by clicking here. The goal of the guide is to inform federal employees about the whistleblower rights and protections available under the Whistleblower Protection Act, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act and the Follow the Rules Act.

How to contact a whistleblower lawyer?

If you are seeking representation in a whistleblower retaliation or whistleblower protection case, click here, or call our whistleblower retaliation lawyers at 202-262-8959 to schedule a confidential consultation.

What is the purpose of the whistleblower guide?

The goal of the guide is to inform federal employees about the whistleblower rights and protections available under the Whistleblower Protection Act, as amended by the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act and the Follow the Rules Act .

What is the Dodd-Frank Act?

Taxpayer First Act (protecting whistleblowing about tax fraud or tax underpayment) Dodd-Frank Act (protecting whistleblowing to the SEC and CFTC) Whistleblower Protection Act ( protecting whistleblowers in the federal government) False Claims Act and NDAA (protecting whistleblowers working for federal contractors)

What to know before hiring a whistleblower lawyer?

Before hiring a whistleblower retaliation lawyer to prosecute your whistleblower case, assess the lawyer’s prior experience representing whistleblowers, knowledge of whistleblower laws, and prior results. And consider the experience of other whistleblowers working with that attorney. See reviews from former clients by clicking here.

What is the book about whistleblowers?

Some of the whistleblower retaliation cases he has worked on are featured in Tom Mueller’s seminal book about whistleblowing Crisis of Conscience: Whistleblowing in an Age of Fraud and Dan Maldea’s Corruption in U.S. Higher Education: The Stories of Whistleblowers.

Who is Eric Bachman?

Eric Bachman and Jason Zuckerman served in senior positions at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, the federal agency charged with protecting whistleblowers in the federal government. At OSC, they oversaw investigations of whistleblower claims and obtained corrective action or relief for whistleblowers.

What are the protections of whistleblowing?

Also, employees who report employer wrongdoing are protected in certain situations. These whistleblowing employees are protected when their employer violates public policies expressed in statutes (such as criminal statutes), regulations (such as food & safety regulations), or constitutional provisions. Protected actions include exercising first amendment rights, refusing to participate in activities that do not meet governmental regulations, filing health complaints, reporting unlawful conduct, and threatening to report unlawful conduct.

How long does it take to file a lawsuit against an employee?

Generally: An employee may file a lawsuit in an appropriate court. The lawsuit must be filed within three years of the retaliatory action. If you believe you have a claim, you should contact a lawyer.

What are the exceptions to the general rule?

Exceptions to this general rule can come from two sources: (1) courts, which modify and make "common law protections" or (2) the legislature, which enacts "statutory protections.".

Can you be fired for no reason?

The general rule is that most employees may be fired at any time-for any reason or for no reason at all-under what is known as the at-will employment doctrine. However, in the past half-century, many exceptions to the general rule have emerged. Exceptions to this general rule can come from two sources: (1) courts, which modify and make "common law protections" or (2) the legislature, which enacts "statutory protections." Statutory protections tend to be specific, addressing certain subject areas (such as discrimination, workers' compensation, etc.). Yet, legislators often lack the foresight to address every possible situation of retaliation. Common law protections, on the other hand, tend to "fill the gaps" where no statute exists for a given situation.

Michael Goetz

We help whistleblowers seek justice against fraudulent activity. We take your privacy and security very seriously. Free Consult

Kristen Sinisi

Workers Have Rights …We Know How To Protect Them. Over 50 Years combined experience. Call Us Today!

Thomas Greene

Highly experienced whistleblower attorneys, specializing over 20 years in qui tam suits under the False Claims Act.

Lynne Bernabei

Lynne Bernabei is an experienced whistleblower attorney practicing in the Washington area.

Eric L. Siegel

Eric L. Siegel represents clients in whistleblower cases on behalf of Washington, DC area clients.

David M. Wachtel

Connect with a local Washington, DC attorney with proven experience helping clients with DC whistleblower issues.

R. Scott Oswald

R. Scott Oswald has multiple years of experience in helping clients with their whistleblower needs in Washington, DC.

Whistleblower Retaliation

Whistleblower retaliation laws prohibit a broad range of retaliatory actions against whistleblowers, including any act that would dissuade a worker from engaging in protected whistleblowing. Examples of actionable whistleblower retaliation include:

Whistleblower Retaliation Lawyers

The experienced whistleblower retaliation lawyers at Zuckerman Law represent whistleblowers in retaliation actions under a variety of federal and state whistleblower protection laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Whistleblower Retaliation Resources

Is a whistleblower’s motive for engaging in a protected activity relevant in a whistleblower protection case?