PALM HARBOR WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY

Under the two main whistleblower protection regulations, Florida offers protections for specific types of whistleblowing activities. These protections differ between the public and private sectors.  
Public workers cannot be terminated because they disclosed information about violations of law. This extends to violations of state, local, and federal laws.  

They can also not be retaliated against for reporting the following types of actions: 

• Medicaid abuse or fraud
• Gross negligence of duty
• Gross mismanagement
• Waste
• Suspected incidents of wrong-doing 

If you believe that you have lost your public sector job because you blew the whistle about violations of law or other wrongdoing, do not wait. Reach out to the Palm Harbor whistleblower attorneys at the firm of Morgan and Morgan.  

In fact, those who report abuse in the public sector may be able to recover compensation for this public service. This type of case is known as a “qui tam” lawsuit. We will discuss this type of financial recovery in further detail below.  

Private sector employees enjoy special protections for reporting wrongdoing. Private sector workers may not be terminated or discriminated against after disclosing actions that violate local, state, or federal laws. 

These employees also may not be terminated for threatening to disclose this type of information. But the employee in question is required to report any violations of the law in writing to their supervisor.  

Florida employees may not be fired for participating in any public investigation of their employer or refusing to join others in violating the law. If you have been wronged in this way, it is vital to review the facts of your case with Palm Harbor whistleblower attorneys.  

You should never face negative consequences for attempting to hold wrongdoers accountable. The team of legal specialists at Morgan and Morgan will work tirelessly on your behalf to secure justice in your Palm Harbor whistleblower case. 

If you have been fired or discriminated against after whistleblowing, you have the legal right to seek justice through a civil claim. However, you must begin the process of filing suit before the statute of limitations has expired.  

The statute of limitations is a legally determined time period by which victims of torts must file suit. In the state of Florida, private sector employees must begin filing their lawsuits for whistleblowing retaliation within two years of the incident.  

Public employees have less time to file a lawsuit for damages. If you work for a public agency and have been retaliated against, you must file a lawsuit within 180 days of notification that the Florida Commission on Human Relations has terminated its investigation. If you have questions about this process, reach out to the friendly staff at Morgan and Morgan.  

If you have been retaliated against after filing a workers’ compensation claim, you have four years to file a lawsuit. When you have been treated unfairly because you reported law violations or other abuses, do not hesitate. 

Schedule a consultation with the premiere Palm Harbor legal team. The seasoned tort attorneys at Morgan & Morgan understand what is required to successfully fight for the victims of whistleblower retaliation.

When you have experienced certain outcomes after reporting illegal or unethical behavior, you can file a whistleblower lawsuit. These negative consequences are known as “adverse employment outcomes.” 

Some of the most common include: 

• Experiencing a hostile working environment
• Harassment
• Demotion
• Decreases in pay or compensation
• Wrongful negative performance evaluations
• Being unfairly passed over for a promotion
• Being fired or laid off 

This is only a partial list of the consequences that whistleblowers may face. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated because you reported your employer or agency, speak with an attorney as soon as possible. 

When you assert a claim under one of Florida’s whistleblower protection regulations, you may be able to recover financial damages. Filing a lawsuit under Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act can result in compensation for the following damages: 

• Missed pay or lost income
• Lost or foregone benefits
• Emotional anguish and distress
• Attorneys’ fees and legal expenses
• Other associated costs 

Courts also have the power to order other non-financial remedies for whistleblower retaliation. For instance, a judge in your case may order the employer to reinstate your previous position. 

In qui tam cases, other financial compensation is recoverable. In a successful qui tam lawsuit, the whistleblower may be compensated with a portion of the recovered assets. 

This is meant to incentivize whistleblowers to come forward regarding the abuse of public funds or institutions. When you file a Florida qui tam lawsuit and are successful, you may be entitled to between 15-25% of the amount recovered by the government.  

However, the government may decline to intervene in a qui tam lawsuit. If this happens and the plaintiff continues to pursue the case, they may be entitled to 25-30% of the recovery when it is successful. 

There are many factors that influence the amount you can recover in a private whistleblower or qui tam lawsuit. To determine the amount to which you may be entitled, schedule a consultation with the accomplished whistleblower attorneys at the firm of Morgan & Morgan. 

The friendly Palm Harbor team of legal professionals will happily assess your circumstances and help you determine the best course of action. Whistleblowers deserve protection and compensation for reporting wrongful actions. 

When in need of legal representation in Palm Harbor, FL, most people are understandably concerned about the cost. Most people believe that hiring a skilled tort attorney or law firm is prohibitively expensive.  

However, this view is mistaken. Trustworthy personal injury firms operate on a contingency fee payment structure.  

When you consult with a tort attorney, they will determine a certain percentage of the financial recovery from your case. After agreeing to this percentage, the lawyer will tirelessly pursue the claim on your behalf. 

If the claim is successful, the agreed-upon percentage of the financial recovery will be used to cover the costs associated with the case. In other words, you will not pay anything unless your claim or lawsuit is successful.

A contingency fee approach allows any victim to pursue justice, regardless of their financial status. At the firm of Morgan & Morgan, we know that whistleblowers often face dire financial situations.  

When a corporation or agency has wrongfully retaliated against you, you may have lost income and benefits. You should not have to pay upfront legal fees in order to pursue justice.  

At Morgan & Morgan, we will fight diligently to recover the compensation that you are rightfully due. You will not pay a penny until we get the money that you deserve.

A qui tam whistleblower is also known as a “relator.” These two terms are usually interchangeable. In many instances of public whistleblower cases, the relator is a public employee. 

However, this is not always the case. Any party can be a relator according to the False Claims Act. Some of the most common examples of those who can act as relators are: 

• Employees
• Customers
• Vendors
• Competitors

Any party who learns about the abuse of public funds or of a public institution has the right to seek a claim. So long as the information brought forward is not already publicly available, the party may act as a “relator.”

When a case is successful, the person who relates the relevant information may be entitled to a financial reward. Consulting with a knowledgeable qui tam attorney is the surest way to get a positive outcome in your case. 

To speak with the best whistleblower attorneys in Palm Harbor, reach out to the compassionate team at Morgan & Morgan. Our Florida qui tam lawyers have the skills and experience to protect your rights and ensure justice in your case. 

Since our founding in 1988, our legal team has secured more than $35 billion dollars in financial recovery for our clients. We will do everything we can to recover all of the money to which you are entitled.  

Reach out to our Palm Harbor office to schedule a consultation by completing the simple contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website. Let our team fight for you.