Frequently Asked Questions About Whistleblowing Laws In California

Talk To Los Angeles Whistleblower Attorneys About Reporting Employer Fraud Against The Government

Our society relies on whistleblowers to let the public know when companies are breaking the law. However, these brave individuals do so with the possibility of suffering serious personal and professional consequences because of employer retaliation. That is why the government tries to provide as much whistleblower protections as possible, along with possible financial incentives for successful whistleblowing cases.

If you are considering blowing the whistle on an individual or company in California, it is essential that you understand California whistleblowing laws and its possible effects. To protect yourself, it is essential that you contact a Los Angeles whistleblower attorney at Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, P.C. for assistance. Through our 100-plus years of combined legal experience, we have seen countless whistleblowing cases and obtained several multi-million dollar employment law verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Experienced Los Angeles Whistleblower Attorneys

• What is whistleblowing?
• How do I know if I should blow the whistle on my employer?
• Will I lose my job if I become a whistleblower in California?
• Can I remain anonymous and still be a whistleblower?
• Do whistleblowing laws in California provide rewards to whistleblowers?
• How can I blow the whistle on my California employer performing illegal or dangerous activities?

What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing typically involves raising concerns about a company’s illegal, negligent, fraudulent, unethical or dangerous actions. In many cases, the whistleblowing worker is not affected by the actions, but is concerned about the possible effects on the company’s customers, employees and the general public.

Whistleblowers typically retain Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys to help them gain whistleblower protections, to avoid the potential pitfalls involved with whistleblowing and receive monetary rewards for blowing the whistle.

Back to Top

How do I know if I should blow the whistle on my employer?

It can be difficult to know when whistleblowing is appropriate. Some problems can be resolved simply by notifying management of the situation. However, other whistleblower cases may involve workplace retaliation for attempting to stop the company’s unlawful or dangerous actions. Employees in this situation need whistleblower protection provided by federal whistleblower and whistleblowing laws in California.

It is vital to note that whistleblowing can sometimes amount to opening Pandora’s box. Once the authorities are aware of potential illegal activities, by law they are compelled to investigate allegations from whistleblowers and resolve the situation.

A Los Angeles whistleblower attorney can help you decide if whistleblowing is the best course of action. If so, our experienced employment attorneys can walk you through the process of reporting fraud and getting whistleblower protection.

Back to Top

Will I lose my job if I become a whistleblower in California?

It is possible that your employer will fire you for reporting illegal acts at work. However, such an action would be wrongful termination, and the company could be heavily penalized for any act of workplace retaliation it undertakes against whistleblowers.

Back to Top

Can I remain anonymous and still be a whistleblower?

Whistleblowers have the right to remain anonymous. However, this does not prevent employers from trying to discover who made the complaint or filed a False Claim Act case. Additionally, whistleblowing might only succeed if the whistleblower is willing to provide contact information to the authorities.

Back to Top

Do whistleblowing laws in California provide rewards to whistleblowers?

In addition to the federal Whistleblower Protection Act, whistleblowing laws in California may provide for some monetary reward to whistleblowers who successfully recover funds for the government. If the whistleblowing was related to fraud against the government, the person who brought the claim can potentially receive a monetary reward through a qui tam lawsuit. Under the False Claims Act, individuals who help stop fraud can receive up to 30 percent of what the government recovers from the guilty party in a qui tam lawsuit.

In some whistleblowing cases, whistleblowers can receive compensation for any emotional distress they suffered because of retaliation by the individual or company they reported.

Back to Top

How can I blow the whistle on my California employer performing illegal or dangerous activities?

Contact the Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys at the employment law firm of Kesluk, Silverstein, Jacob & Morrison, P.C. to begin the whistleblowing process. There is no charge to meet with us for a confidential consultation about whistleblowing in the workplace. Call (310) 997-4431 or submit a form online.