The term “whistleblower” represents a person who finally brings justice to a situation where injustice has prevailed. Exposing companies for wrongdoings can even make a whistleblower a hero in some situations. However, whistleblowers can usually expect a legal fight as companies are not in the business of admitting guilt.
Rewards come in the form of justice finally being served, but the rewards do not stop there. Rewards can also come in the form of financial compensation. In some cases, whistleblowers have been awarded millions of dollars. That financial figure is usually contingent upon the amount of work carried out by the whistleblower to aid in the recovery of funds. The kind of fraud reported also lends a hand in how much compensation is awarded to the actual whistleblower.
So how does a whistleblower get paid? A gracious percentage of the funds recovered are distributed to the whistleblower. Therein lies is the motive of financial rewards along with a search for justice.
Many whistleblower cases occur in the medical field as health care organizations and pharmaceutical companies are no strangers to cutting corners for profits. A 2012 case in Mississippi involving a medical equipment company led to a $1.8 million payout. That figure was not the actual amount given to the whistleblower, which in this case was Wendy Horne. For her part in the case, Horne’s payout stood between 15 and 25% of the funds recovered by the guilty company.
The 15 to 25% range is typical for a successful whistleblower and that generally comes with government involvement. However, if the government does not get involved, a whistleblower can receive as much as 30% of the settlement amount.
Whistleblowers can remain anonymous if they choose to do so. Whistleblowers often become fearful of repercussions that might come from the accused party, expecially ones with a great deal of power and influence. Anonymity can also be attributed to a simple request for privacy.
Companies continue to retaliate against whistleblowers, a trend that is starting to reach an all-time high. A lack of ethics contributes to this ongoing trend. However, those who are unafraid to take on companies or corporations should refer to a whistleblower’s checklist before they step into such a volatile situation. Before you blow the whistle and take your first step towards a big payday, make sure the following areas are covered:
You Present Ample evidence of Fraud
- The overbilling for a certain product or service
- Obtaining of funds through falsification of documents
- Violation of laws in order to obtain funding
- Misconduct when it comes to sales, bribery or market manipulation
- Failing to report an overpayment
You File First
- If someone else has already filed a claim for the same reasons, you will be unable to do so. Check and make sure no one else has already filed your exact claim.
You Provide Original Evidence
- You will have to come up with evidence that has not or could not otherwise be obtained. Evidence gathered from public sources is not deemed original. There needs to be an intimate and inside knowledge or gathering of previously unreported information.
Your Case is Not Barred By the Statute of Limitations
- Certain claims can only be filed within a certain amount of time of a violation. Speak with a qualified Mississippi Qui Tam/Whistleblower Attorney to make sure that your claim is still valid before blowing the whistle.
If you have inside information on some kind of company misconduct, contact the seasoned Mississippi Qui Tam/Whistleblower Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC. You will need plenty of legal assistance and advice in going through this process. Our team of qualified lawyers can walk you through every step and make sure all your rights are protected. Call us today for a free confidential consultation at (800) 707-9577.