Protection From Retaliation

WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO ME IF I FILE A FALSE CLAIMS ACT
CASE AGAINST MY EMPLOYER OR FORMER EMPLOYER?

The False Claims Act contains several protections for people who file a False Claims Act lawsuit against their employer:

1. The lawsuit is originally filed under seal and not served on the defendant while the government investigates the claim.  During this time, the identity of the person who filed the lawsuit is kept a secret.

2. Ultimately, once the government decides whether or not to pursue the case, the identity of the whistleblower will be revealed.  In the meantime, the employer may be able to figure out the whistleblower's identity based on the nature of the government's investigation.  But the False Claims Act makes it illegal to fire or otherwise punish someone for becoming a whistleblower.  
IF THE EMPLOYER VIOLATES THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS, the employer is subject to significant damages and penalties.

3. If it is your former employer who defrauded the government, do not assume that any agreement you may have signed with that employer prevents you from filing a lawsuit under the False Claims Act.  If you did sign an agreement when your employment ended, consult a lawyer about its effects.