If you are considering reporting a violation of the law in your workplace, you may be concerned that you will be retaliated against. If you are stuck in this unfortunate situation, it is in your best interest to consult with a seasoned Providence, Rhode Island whistleblower protection lawyer at Herman Law Group who will protect you under the Whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act and help you attain the award you are entitled to. Read on to learn how our firm will make this a reality.
In the state of Rhode Island, what whistleblower protection laws are in place to protect my claim?
If you have information that your company has submitted fraudulent or false claims to the federal government, the Whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act allows you to bring a lawsuit to recover the stolen funds. In addition to the federal False Claims Act, many states, including Rhode Island, have enacted similar False Claims Act statutes.
With that being said, if you have a successful claim, you are entitled to an award of anywhere between 15 to 30 percent of the funds recovered by the government. This percentage may equate to millions of dollars.
What should I do if I was retaliated against by my employer for my whistleblower claim?
Even though there are several state and federal protections for whistleblowers in the state of Rhode Island, employers may still retaliate against you. Some of the most common forms of retaliation read as follows:
- You are denied overtime, promotions, or benefits.
- You are reassigned to a less desirable position.
- You are fired, laid off, or demoted.
- You are blacklisted.
- You receive wrongful discipline, intimidation, or harassment.
If you were wrongfully retaliated against in any of the above ways or others, it is in your best interest to first report the misconduct to your employer. Then, you should reach out to a knowledgeable Providence County, Rhode Island employment lawyer as immediately as possible.
CONTACT OUR RHODE ISLAND EMPLOYMENT LAWYER
If you need help with an employment law matter in the Providence County, Rhode Island area, you can count on Herman Law Group to represent your best interests. To discuss your matter, please contact our firm today.