California: Whistleblower & Qui Tam Lawyers

The United States has numerous safeguards in place to make sure that those who file whistleblower claims can do so without being targeted for doing the right thing. If you wish to report your employer's fraud or misconduct but you're worried that they will retaliate against you if you report their actions, a whistleblower law firm in California can help.

Whistleblower attorneys can give you information about all of the protections that you have in a whistleblower case, including protection granted by California law and federal laws against demotion, harassment or other types of retaliation from your employer.

Types Of Whistleblower Claims

Employees become whistleblowers by reporting various forms of illegal activity carried out by employers and other entities. These activities can include:

• Environmental violations (often involving release of toxic substances into the air or water)
• Kickbacks and bribes
• Fraudulent billing or accounting fraud
• Tax fraud
• Securities fraud (SEC whistleblower cases)
• Health and safety violations
• Military contractor fraud/defense contractor fraud (bid rigging, invoice issues such as overcharging, contract violations)
• Procurement fraud
• Health care fraud (Medicaid fraud and Medicare fraud)
• Tax fraud and tax evasion

Law firms that handle whistleblower cases in California can help you understand what options you have if you have knowledge of these or any other activities where an employer is violating the law. They make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and that you are protected during the whistleblowing process.

What Is A Qui Tam Lawsuit?

"Qui tam" is a legal term that typically arises in cases involving the federal False Claims Act. It relates to whistleblower claims where a person files a lawsuit alleging that a private entity is defrauding the federal government. In qui tam cases, the government can recover any funds that were illegally obtained, and the whistleblower may receive a portion of the amount recovered. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Dodd-Frank Act also contain qui tam provisions related to the securities and foreign corrupt practices.

Find California Whistleblower Lawyers To Help You

Use FindLaw to hire a local whistleblower lawyer to protect you from retaliation and potentially even collect a percentage of the recovery.

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is the largest online directory of attorneys. Browse more than one million listings, covering everything from divorce to DUI to employment law. The directory covers lawyers all across the state, including Irvine, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, San Jose, Ventura, Fresno, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, and anywhere in Northern California or Southern California.

FindLaw's detailed California law firm profiles have information like the firm's areas of law, office locations, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, law school education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.

Use the contact form on the profiles to find a lawyer in California for legal advice.

Finding the best lawyer for your unique situation can be a challenge, but the best way to hire a good California attorney is to talk with them, ask them questions, and make sure they meet all your needs. This usually starts with their practice area. Determine which lawyers can handle your type of case and then find a California attorney with experience in that area. So it will be important to ask about each lawyer’s years of experience, legal training, and strategy to your unique legal case.

The attorney-client relationship may also be important. If it is your first time dealing with a legal issue, you may be looking for a lawyer who can clearly and patiently explain the legal process, identify your options, and answer all your questions. You may also want an attorney who is available at any time to provide legal advice. Think about questions to ask, like if there are updates to your case, how will that be communicated? Are there specific California law deadlines that you are required to meet?

The location of your attorney's law office may also be an important factor. In larger cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, you may want to find a lawyer with a convenient location to you so that you don't have to drive an hour just for signing legal papers. However, some legal services can be primarily conducted through phone calls, emails, written correspondence, and video calls, so you could, for example, have a lawyer in Sacramento handle your legal issues in Riverside.