A whistleblower is someone who makes people aware of illegal actions that are taking place within a business or government agency. The person who blows the whistle has witnessed these illegal actions and is making them known because he or she wants them to come to a stop while having the agency or business held responsible for what they have done. Someone who decides to blow the whistle is doing the right thing, but those individuals are likely nervous about what could happen to them because of their decision to speak out. Not all whistleblowers are treated fairly and some put themselves in danger simply to make sure that the truth is told. However, an attorney can help a whistleblower in a lot of different ways. Anyone who plans on blowing the whistle on illegal acts should make sure to hire an attorney before doing so.
Help the Client Remain Anonymous
Working with an attorney means that the client can remain anonymous when the lawsuit is filed against the employer. Rather than having the name of the employee included in the lawsuit, the name of the attorney is displayed instead. People tend to feel much more comfortable and confident in their decision to come forward and blow the whistle when they know that their identity will remain private throughout this process. Most of the time, people do not initially speak out against employers and their illegal actions because they have fears of retaliation that can occur.
Complete the Process of Filing a Lawsuit Due to Fraud
The attorney will review the situation and determine which illegal practices your employer has engaged in. For example, there are different types of fraud that can occur. It is possible that your employer has committed tax fraud or government fraud in some way. An attorney reviews the case, looks at all the evidence you have gathered over months or even years and then starts the process of filing the lawsuit against your employer while working on getting the government involved at the same time.
Regularly Answer Questions and Handle Any Concerns of the Client
If you are going to blow the whistle on an individual or a group of individuals, you are likely going to have a lot of questions about the process. You may want to know what will happen, what the consequences will be, and what you can expect to gain from the situation after you have decided to come forward with the information that you have. When you have questions or even when you have some legitimate concerns, you can talk to your attorney. Ask the questions you need to ask to get answers and become more informed of the situation. Your attorney will always work hard to keep you in the loop throughout this legal process while regularly providing you with updates.
Prevent a Whistleblower From Experiencing Retaliation at Work
Because you will have the anonymity that you want and need, you can avoid dealing with retaliation in the workplace. Your attorney will make sure your name and personal information are protected throughout the legal process to keep you from experiencing the unfortunate drawbacks that many other whistleblowers have experienced in the past. You should have no problem keeping your job and continuing to work for the same company while the lawsuit is ongoing. In most cases, it is possible to remain anonymous the entire time and even receive compensation for taking the opportunity to come forward to report the illegal acts in the first place. Not having to deal with retaliation is ideal.
Need to Blow the Whistle on Illegal Acts?
When you would like to blow the whistle because of unfair and illegal actions that you have regularly witnessed at work in the state of Alabama, you have every right to make everyone aware of what is happening. However, you need to be smart about the situation. Make the wise decision to hire an attorney who can help you and protect you throughout this process. At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, we are prepared to protect you and your rights while helping you do the right thing. If you are confident that you have a serious situation on your hands and you need to blow the whistle, give our office a call at 205-308-1991. We look forward to answering your questions and providing the legal support you need.
