Whistleblowers Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

What is a whistleblower lawsuit?

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A whistleblower lawsuit can be defined in two main ways. First, there are state and federal statutes that allow individuals to come forward as whistleblowers, providing information that indicates a company or individual is defrauding the government or the public. These whistleblower statutes are designed to incentivize individuals to share information that benefits either the government or the public, with the whistleblower potentially receiving a portion of any recovery. For example, if there is a $1 million recovery, the whistleblower might receive up to 30 percent.

The second type of whistleblower case, more common at the state court level, involves an individual who reports illegal activity internally within a company and is subsequently fired. In these cases, the attorney may represent the whistleblower in retaliation lawsuits based on their actions.

Chicago, IL trial attorney Michael Leonard talks about whistleblower lawsuits. He explains that whistleblower lawsuits can be classified into two primary categories. Firstly, there are state and federal statutes that provide protection and incentives for individuals to come forward with information regarding fraudulent activities that harm the government or the public. These statutes encourage whistleblowers to disclose such misconduct and participate in the recovery process. As a reward, whistleblowers may receive a percentage of the recovered amount, often up to 30% in federal cases.

The second type of whistleblower case, more commonly seen at the state court level, involves individuals who report internal illegal activities within a company and subsequently face retaliation, such as termination from their employment. In such instances, we often represent these individuals in retaliation cases based on the adverse actions they have experienced due to their whistleblowing.

Both types of cases aim to protect the interests of the whistleblower and ensure that their actions in exposing wrongdoing are not met with unfair consequences. By providing legal representation and advocating for their rights, we strive to support whistleblowers and hold accountable those who engage in fraudulent or illegal practices.

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