what attorney represents the whistleblower

by Laurianne Waelchi PhD 7 min read

What will a whistleblower attorney do?

Sep 24, 2019 · We don’t know the identity of the whistleblower who reportedly raised the alarm about Donald Trump‘s phone call with the Ukrainian president (you know, the one that finally kickstarted an impeachment inquiry).). But we at least know the identity of their lawyers. Andrew Bakaj is lead counsel, while Mark Zaid is co-counsel.Both are well known national security …

Do I need a whistleblower attorney?

Top whistleblower law firms have a long list of satisfied clients. At Goldberg Kohn, our lawyers have helped numerous clients reach successful settlements and helped shape whistleblower laws litigating cases all the way through trial. 3. Appropriate Areas of Expertise. You should ensure that your whistleblower attorney specializes in litigating whistleblower cases, which are unique and …

What is the role of the whistleblower lawyer?

Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto represents whistleblowers who report fraud and violations of the federal and California False Claims Act. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing whistleblowers who file qui tam lawsuits against those defrauding the State of California and other local government agencies. We’ve built our law firm on a simple premise: to protect those …

Can an attorney be a whistleblower?

THE WHISTLEBLOWER DISCUSSION Issues 1. Who iscorporate counsel’s clientwhen an employee provides information about possible wrongdoing within the company in which he says he did not participate? 2. Whenin a discussion with an employee,should counsel make clear that she represents the company, and that the company holds any privilege that applies to

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Who are the lawyers for the whistleblower?

Stephen Danz & Associates is a statewide California employment attorney representing whistleblowers. Our firm is considered one of the most successful and experienced law firms representing Los Angeles whistleblowers.

Who investigates whistleblower?

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent federal agency charged with investigating and prosecuting violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

What is a whistleblower lawsuit called?

A qui tam lawsuit is a lawsuit brought by a whistleblower to enforce the federal False Claims Act or analogous state statutes, laws that impose civil liability on persons or companies who knowingly make or cause others to make false claims for the payment of government funds.

How much money do you get for whistleblower?

Whistleblowers may be eligible for an award when they voluntarily provide the SEC with original, timely, and credible information that leads to a successful enforcement action. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected when the monetary sanctions exceed $1 million.May 10, 2021

What qualifies as a whistleblower complaint?

Under the whistleblower reward laws, a whistleblower claim is a formal submission or complaint that exposes and describes certain types of alleged fraud or misconduct.

How do you win a 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.

What is a False Claims Act lawsuit?

The False Claims Act, also known as the “Lincoln Law,” is a whistleblower law that allows private citizens to sue any individuals, companies or other entities that are defrauding the government and recover damages and penalties on the government's behalf.

What is the qui tam law?

Definition. In a qui tam action, a private party called a relator brings an action on the government's behalf. The government, not the relator, is considered the real plaintiff. ... If successful, a relator in a False Claims Act qui tam action may receive up to 30% of the government's award.

Who can sue under the False Claims Act?

Under the False Claims Act, qui tam allows persons and entities with evidence of fraud against federal programs or contracts to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the United States Government. In qui tam actions, the government has the right to intervene and join the action.

How does a whistleblower lawsuit work?

A California whistleblower lawsuit pursued by an individual, without government intervention, means that a potential whistleblower reward can increase to up to 25% to 50% of the total amount recovered. The defendant could also be required to pay litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees.

What is the largest award payout to a whistleblower?

$200 millionUnder the CFTC's Whistleblower Program, whistleblowers “are eligible to receive between 10-30% of the monetary sanctions collected.” The Whistleblower Program was created as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and since its first award in 2014, this $200 million award is the ...Oct 26, 2021

How long does it take to get whistleblower money?

After whistleblowers submit a timely application for an award, the Claims Review Staff will assess all timely applications to determine: (1) whether a whistleblower is eligible for an award; and (2) the amount of the award. Currently, the claims review process takes approximately 2 years to complete.

What is a whistleblower attorney?

An experienced attorney can assist you in determining if you have a viable False Claims Act case. Your attorney can then help you collect the information and evidence you need to pursue a claim successfully.

What is whistleblower?

A whistleblower is a courageous person who has come forward with information that exposes wrongdoing. Reporting fraud can be a stressful, complicated process. Those who blow the whistle are often risking their careers to do the right thing.

What happens if you file a qui tam whistleblower case?

If you have a qui tam whistleblower case, your chances of success are greater if your attorney works with the government to pursue your case. Further, the government's participation is necessary for claims filed with the IRS, SEC and CFTC. Determine what the potential law firm did in past cases to encourage the government to investigate allegations, including the eventual result.

Can a whistleblower lawyer represent you?

Attorneys can represent whistleblowers across the country. If a whistleblower attorney is considering taking on your case, he or she should offer to cover your travel costs for meeting with him or her. At Goldberg Kohn, we handle cases for clients throughout the nation , and we can help you with your case no matter where you are located.

What are whistleblower laws in California?

Both federal and California State 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.

What is the penalty for whistleblowers in California?

Whistleblowers who present original information leading to sanctions against a violator of the California’s 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 is the CFTC whistleblower reward?

The CFTC whistleblower reward program, established in 2010 under the Dodd-Frank Act, pays whistleblower awards to eligible individuals who voluntarily provide the CFTC with original information on violations of the Commodity Exchange Act that leads to a successful enforcement action resulting in monetary sanctions exceeding $1,000,000. Rewards under the program are mandatory for qualified whistleblowers and are in the range of 10-30% of the collected proceeds. Employers cannot retaliate against whistleblowers or encumber potential whistleblowers from communicating with the CFTC.

How much is a false claim in California?

Any person who files a false or fraudulent claim shall be liable for 3 times the amount of damages which the State of California sustains as a result of the claim (s), which range between $5,500 – $11,000 and does not include legal fees. Note: the amount of fines are increased for inflation and are now over $20,000 per false claim (August 20, 2020).

What is Rosenblat Law?

Rosenblat Law’s representation is detail-oriented, and attorney Rosenblat uses his experience in both civil litigation and criminal defense. He can evaluate a case from all sides and obtains the best possible results for his clients. Rosenblat Law has had success representing the following types of clients:

Who is Michael Rosenblat?

Chicago whistleblower attorney Michael Rosenblat represents individuals under the False Claims Act and related qui tam or whistleblower statutes. Mr. Rosenblat also represents clients in Healthcare Fraud and Audit Defense, Federal and State Criminal, and UCMJ and related actions. Michael C. Rosenblat has a thorough understanding of the False Claims Act, health care fraud, provider audits, and white-collar crimes after his assignment to the Illinois Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Illinois Attorney General’s Special Litigation Bureau, the AG’s Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, where he served as Deputy Chief, and as a private defense counsel.

Liability of the Defendant in Florida

Under the Florida False Claims Act, an accused can be ordered to pay the government damages in the amount of up to 3 times the quantity of damage to the state. The accused can also be ordered by the court to pay fines of $5,500 to $11,000 per violation.

Statute of Limitations in Tampa, Florida

In the state of Florida, a plaintiff needs to file a whistleblower claim within 6 years of the violation. This may be reached 10 years in certain circumstances.

Working With an Experienced Whistleblower Lawyer

The state of Florida loses millions of dollars each year in Medicaid scams, and they rely on people like you to report it. If you are aware of Medicaid fraud in Tampa, Florida, getting the assistance of a skilled whistleblower attorney can help you understand your rights and protections under the Florida False Claims Act.

Upcoding

The MA provider increases the severity of the patient’s condition, submitting a more serious diagnosis code to get paid by Medicare at a higher rate.

Chart mining

The MA provider mines patient’s charts to look for conditions that are not current but can put as current to increase their payments from Medicare.

Adding unsupported diagnosis

Coders are directed to add codes based on other information in the chart.

Not removing old diagnosis codes

The MA provider increases the severity of the patient’s condition, submitting a more serious diagnosis code to get paid by Medicare at a higher rate.

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