North Carolina Whistleblower Law

Frequently Asked Questions

Let Miller Law Group Help!

If you have a legal matter you would like to discuss with a Miller Law Group personal injury attorney, please complete and submit the form below. We will get back to you shortly.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Find Out How Whistleblower Law Works

Get answers to common questions about North Carolina whistleblower law and learn how to report fraud against the government with help from our lawyers.

FAQs From Legal Fees To Reporting Fraud

Halting fraud schemes and reporting illegal activity take courage, and you’ll likely have many questions about legal fees, whistleblower laws, and how these processes work nationwide and in North Carolina. To help you get started, our attorneys answered several frequently asked questions about federal and state whistleblower laws and regulations:

In the initial stages, YES. In False Claims Act cases, the lawsuit is filed under seal (in secret) until the government decides whether to adopt the case. Ultimately, your name will be disclosed if the case is adopted. In SEC cases, you may provide a tip anonymously, but you must have a lawyer to do so.

Depending on various factors, a North Carolina whistleblower is eligible to receive between 10% and 30% of the total recovery.

Miller Law Group charges a contingency fee — a percentage of what you receive, either as a whistleblower reward or as a judgment or settlement in a retaliation case. The initial consultation to meet and speak with us is free.

Whistleblowers are protected from retaliation by both federal and North Carolina state law. The False Claims Act and other whistleblower laws protect whistleblowers against retaliatory actions, including:

  • Isolation from meetings or projects
  • Denial of promotion
  • Demotion in job or pay
  • Reduction in hours
  • Suspension, termination, demotion
  • Denial of benefits or overtime
  • Harassment or discrimination

Documentation of the fraud or illegal activity will be necessary, and that documentation may take many forms, including copies of records, emails and texts, and even your anecdotal evidence. Anyone with evidence of fraud or illegal activity against the government can be a whistleblower.

The federal and state governments provide a number of channels for reporting fraudulent or illegal activity. You should speak with a lawyer to identify the appropriate way for you to report the specific conduct you have witnessed. In False Claims Act cases, your report will often be made via a lawsuit, but other laws offer other mechanisms for reporting violations.

Generally speaking, the original source rule says that the whistleblower must be the first one to report the fraud or illegal activity — the original source of the information —  to be eligible to receive compensation. You should seek out a lawyer as soon as you believe you have reportable information, to make sure your original source status is protected.

Those who plan and initiate a fraudulent scheme cannot receive an award as a whistleblower. However, whistleblowers who participate unknowingly, or under threat or force, are still eligible to participate in the recovery. For example, a whistleblower who was threatened with termination for refusing to take part in the fraudulent acts may still recover when they report the scheme.

Yes, there is no limit to the number of whistleblowers. However, all of the whistleblowers should work together and report the fraud or illegal activity at the same time.

Hear from a North Carolina personal injury law firm about their team’s commitment to their clients.

Find Out How We Can Help You

These are only some of the frequently asked questions that whistleblowers come to us with—if you need more information, reach out to us for help. Our attorneys in North Carolina can assist with all steps of the process, from original source documentation to filing a lawsuit for whistleblower retaliation.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you are aware of fraud or illegal activity being conducted against the government, contact Miller Law Group today to speak with an experienced lawyer. Our consultations are free and comprehensive to get you headed in the right direction.

At Miller Law Group, PLLC, we are guided by the principle of attaining justice for people who have been wronged in their personal or professional lives. We look forward to making you a part of our team.