Serving Clients in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Washington D.C. & Throughout the U.S.
The decision to become a whistleblower is a brave one, but it's not an easy one. We know the stresses and difficulties that come with deciding to blow the whistle on your company when you've learned that they are engaging in fraud against the federal government.
Whistleblower lawyer James Shoemaker should be your first call when you decide to move forward as a whistleblower. He can protect your legal rights as a whistleblower: He has decades of experience in False Claims Act cases, and the firm of Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein possesses the legal resources to pursue claims against large companies.
What We Can Do For You
Mr. Shoemaker and our attorneys can help in other ways, too. Whistleblowers are often subject to retribution from their companies. This is against the law, but it still happens. Mr. Shoemaker can provide you with the legal protection to which you are entitled as a whistleblower. Mr. Shoemaker can help evaluate your claim and take a look at the evidence you’ve gathered to see if you have the right support for the case. If Mr. Shoemaker and our attorneys have decided that your case needs more strength to it, we will provide you with the necessary legal advice, guidance, and assistance. We may advise you to obtain additional documentation and information as well as possibly advise you to take further actions before submitting a report.
If you need an experienced whistleblower lawyer who can protect you from retribution attempts as well as provide crucial legal advice and help, please call Mr. Shoemaker today at 757.223.4560. We're located in Virginia, but we welcome whistleblowers from across the country. Depending on your type of case, we may even be able to file a lawsuit if it meets certain criteria. While this is all going on, we will be by your side through the entire process, making sure you are properly informed on every step, and helping you make the best decisions possible.
Why You Need Protection
Under the federal False Claims Act, retaliation against a whistleblower is strictly forbidden. Companies are prohibited from retaliating against whistleblowers by:
- Terminating their employment
- Demoting them
- Cutting salary or wages
- Harassing them
- Threatening them
- Discriminating them or mistreating them in any way possible
To win a retaliation claim, you must prove that you were engaging in protected whistleblowing activity and that you were discriminated against because of that activity. This involves demonstrating that your employer was aware of your activity and that the retaliation was at least in part a result of that activity.
Of course, no company is going to baldly state that you're being fired or demoted because of your whistleblowing. Businesses will often find a simple pretext to justify the action, then claim it was completely unrelated to any whistleblowing. We will protect you from retaliation. We will do everything under applicable laws to do so. If your employer has retaliated against you for being a whistleblower, one of our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against them seeking the compensation you deserve.
Legal Protection Act
Fortunately, the False Claims Act provides legal recourse if you've been retaliated against as a whistleblower. You can pursue a legal action for the purpose of making yourself "whole" after such retaliation. This can involve reinstatement at the appropriate seniority level, compensation in terms of back pay and, in special circumstances, additional compensation for any special damages. Knowing your legal rights and what an employer can and cannot do to you legally is important to know. Mr. Shoemaker and our attorneys can help you protect yourself against retaliation and obtain the justice you deserve.
Types of Whistleblower Cases
Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation is absolutely vital if society is to encourage concerned citizens to bring fraud and malfeasance to the government's attention. Mr. Shoemaker can help you pursue a retaliation claim if you suffered retribution as a result of your decision to blow the whistle.
Whistleblowers can be entitled to compensation in specific cases, if their case is successful. With multiple different whistleblower cases, it is important to know which category your case belongs to. Some whistleblower cases include Medicare fraud, IRS fraud, Insurance fraud, and banking whistleblower cases.
Can a Whistleblower Remain Anonymous During The Process?
In most situations, during a whistleblower’s case, the identity of the person is not public information. Being able to stay anonymous or not largely depends on the program the whistleblower was involved in and what unfolds during the case as it progresses. In some cases, the identity of the whistleblower may be important information and can be revealed for that very reason. If you are concerned about your identity potentially being revealed, speaking to our attorneys will help you understood the possibility of that happening and what your options are to prevent it.
Give Us a Call Today!
At James H. Shoemaker, Jr Attorney at Law located in Newport News, VA, we pride ourselves on fighting for the justice you deserve. Our experienced and passionate attorneys work hard to make sure they are equipped with the best tools, advice, and knowledge that can help you win your case. Mr. Showmaker has the expertise, experience, and knowledge to help victims in all sorts of cases.
If you're considering blowing the whistle but you're worried about possible retaliation, don't let that stop you. We can protect you. Please call Mr. Shoemaker today at 757.223.4560. Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein accepts whistleblower cases from across the country.