A whistleblower comes forward with information that exposes wrongdoing, reports fraudulent activity, and is usually risking everything to do so, especially when doing so reveals problems within a government and sometimes private businesses, which follow a different legal path. Having a whistleblower lawyer to help during the complicated, stressful process is essential in these cases.
A whistleblower attorney, specializing in whistleblower law, help with a case from initial reports to final disposition. Knowing your legal options for reporting fraud or starting a lawsuit is essential.
When you expose federal fraud, this starts with a federal claim that shows you, as a federal employee, have discovered that the federal government has violated federal laws. This type of case will go to federal court, and you will need legal help. You might need whistleblower lawyers near me who are trusted with good reviews and a long history of reputable clients to help you under the False Claims Act, a federal law designed to encourage people who know about fraudulent activity within the government to report it. Whistleblower laws typically offer protection against retribution for whistleblowing people and, in some cases, a financial reward.
If you are considering hiring lawyers whistleblower, make sure your situation qualifies. Any situation where you have evidence of legal wrongdoing, where the government is acting fraudulently or breaking the law, qualifies as a whistleblower case as long as you have the evidence to corroborate your claim. If unsure, you can contact attorneys whistleblower offering a free consultation for more information.
You can choose a whistleblower attorney near me based on their experience and qualifications.
Make sure you pick whistleblower law firms that have the right experience. Every whistleblower claim is different, so you need someone with extensive experience using the False Claims Act. They can help you determine whether you have a case and what information and evidence you need to collect.
Whistleblower specialists you hired should have a significant track record of successful recoveries for whistleblowers. Just because they are qualified professionals with the proper licensing and experience doesn’t mean they can get results. You want someone with a history of successfully solving cases and working together with investigators, attorneys, and government agents.
Equally important is hiring lawyers for whistleblower who specialize in litigating whistleblower cases. You don’t want someone who specializes in things like personal injury claims but rather someone with actual expertise fighting fraud in the government. You should see a list of cases they’ve handled or participated in.
When you work with the best whistleblower lawyer, they usually charge hourly. Hourly rates vary depending on where you live but are typically between $200 and $500+ per hour. You can discuss this during the consultation because you can expect to pay a specific hourly rate of $500 per hour only when the head attorney is working on your case. Still, if paralegals or secretaries work on your case, you might pay only $100 per hour.
This is something you can discuss with an experienced attorney during your consultation. Each law firm can choose whether they want to charge a percentage of your final settlement or by the hour. It’s important to discuss this ahead of time so you know what to expect.
In any legal situation, you can represent yourself, but when it comes to whistleblower cases, it is significantly better for you to have legal representation.
Realistically, you need a whistleblower attorney if you are dealing with a whistleblower case. Federal law can be very complex and even small mistakes can result in jail time, fines, or a case being thrown out. Make sure you evaluate the different attorneys you are considering during your consultation. Ask whether they have taken on cases similar to yours and what the results were.