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The Whistleblower and Qui Tam laws in Washington, United States, are designed to protect individuals who expose wrongdoing or illegal activities in their workplace. A whistleblower is someone who reports such misconduct, while Qui Tam represents the concept where the whistleblower brings a lawsuit on behalf of the government against the perpetrator and can potentially share in the financial recovery.
Whistle-blowing can lead to complex legal situations, often involving retaliatory actions by employers. Acts of retaliation may include wrongful termination, demotion, harassment, or other discrimination. You may need a qui tam lawyer if you're considering blowing the whistle on fraudulent government contract activities, or if you're an employee who's faced retaliation for disclosing unethical actions. An attorney can assist in protecting your rights, ensuring you comply with the law, and advocate on your behalf.
In Washington, the main whistleblower protection law is the Washington State Whistleblower Act. It provides protections for current or former state employees who report improper governmental action. This law makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who report wrongdoing. On the Qui Tam front, the federal False Claims Act allows individuals to sue on behalf of the government and receive a portion of the recovery. Washington state does not currently have a False Claims Act at state level.
Under the Washington State Whistleblower Act, your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting wrongdoing, which includes discharging, demoting, harassing or discriminating against a whistleblower.
You can report any illegal or improper government action you witness. This can include violations of law or regulations, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, gross waste, or risks to public safety.
Under the False Claims Act, a lawsuit must be filed within six years from the date of the violation, or three years after the government knew or should have known about the violation, but in no event more than ten years after the violation.
Under the federal False Claims Act, if the government recovers money as a result of the lawsuit, the whistleblower can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the total recovery.
Initially, your identity can be kept secret under qui tam. However, when the complaint is made public, your identity may also be revealed.
The Washington State Auditor’s Office administers the Whistleblower Program in Washington, which can provide additional resources and support. For federal matters, the United States Department of Justice's website contains useful information about the False Claims Act and other whistleblower rights and protections.
If you believe you need legal assistance regarding a whistleblower or qui tam matter, consider consulting with a lawyer experienced in these cases. Deliver all relevant information and documentation during your consultation. An attorney can help guide you through the complex legal process and perform due diligence to protect your rights and interests. Remember that timeliness is critical in these kinds of situations, so act promptly.
