A whistleblower claim is filed when a person with inside knowledge of the illegal or fraudulent activities of a company or organization reveals that information and sues on behalf of the government or the public.  Filing a whistleblower claim is an act of both integrity and courage, as it protects the public interest while exposing the whistleblower to the possibility of retaliation. In order to encourage whistleblowers to come forward, special laws have been put in place to provide them with protection and with substantial rewards.  If you are aware of corruption or illegal activity within your  organization and need information on filing a whistleblower claim in Philadelphia, the attorneys at Bochetto & Lentz can help.

There are several different laws under which a whistleblower claim can be filed. These include:

• The False Claims Act when the fraud results in financial loss to the government
• The Dodd-Frank Act, when the fraud results in financial loss to investors
• Several industry specific laws when the fraud results in harm to employees, the public, the environment, consumer welfare, the financial markets, and others

Generally, a whistleblower’s position as an employee or other type of insider makes them aware of misconduct such as improper billing for products or services that haven’t been provided or that are inferior, or failure to report overpayment.  In order for a whistleblower claim to stand up in court, it is important that there is appropriate documentation to support the claim and that the information is strictly available from being an insider. A whistleblower claim cannot be filed based on publicly available information, and it must be reported within the framework of the statute of limitations for the violation. In the case of the False Claims Act, this period is six years, while for violations of the Dodd-Frank Act the claim must be made within three years. Industry violations vary from as short a period as thirty days to as long as six years.

If you believe that you are in a position to file a whistleblower claim because of some fraudulent activity that you have witnessed, it is important that you keep the information to yourself, as only the first person to file the claim is allowed to pursue the lawsuit and gain the potential monetary reward. You should gather as much documentary evidence as you can to support your accusation and then seek help from an experienced whistleblower attorney who can help you to put together the appropriate filing for a whistleblower lawsuit.

The official filing of a whistleblower claim in Philadelphia is a complex process that requires extensive knowledge and preparation. The case must be laid out in an official claim that is submitted to the government, detailing in as compelling a way as possible the facts of the case in order to convince the government to pursue it. The government will investigate the information and then decide whether to get involved or not – the whistleblower may proceed on their own without the government, though the most successful cases are conducted with government help.

Filing a whistleblower claim in Philadelphia can be difficult, but can also yield significant financial rewards if the lawsuit is successful. If you believe that you have a valid whistleblower claim and you need legal advice, call the attorneys at Bochetto & Lentz today to set up a confidential consultation.

Learn more about filing a Whistleblower Lawsuit here:  https://www.bochettoandlentz.com/practice-areas/whistleblower-claims/