Anyone who has worked for a large company has probably experienced the annoyance of red tape. Instead of getting their work done efficiently and effectively, employees have to spend time answering emails, drafting reports, and waiting on other employees and managers. Unfortunately, for employees in high-stress positions, this sometimes leads to the employee blowing the whistle on misconduct they witness or are directly affected by.
Unsurprisingly, this is usually not a welcome action for an employee’s manager and can lead to consequences like demotions or terminations. On the other hand, employees who blow the whistle may feel it’s necessary to help their company improve rather than harm it. Others may see it as malicious.
So, when you have an employee who blows the whistle on internal misconduct, you must take drastic steps quickly before your company becomes even more infested with corruption. The short answer is hiring a qui tam lawyer, but there are a few questions you should ask first before handing over your resume.
What are your qualifications?
There are many qualified whistleblower lawyers, so you should have a solid understanding of your qualifications before making a decision. If you’re looking for a lawyer to aid you with a specific case, like suing your company for discrimination or harassment, find someone who specializes in that area. You can look for other questions.
● What is your fee?
A reputable whistleblower lawyer will charge an hourly rate. Some will even be able to provide contract terms and conditions. You should also ask if they have any discounts or special offers for whistleblowers who want to hire them more than once. It can save you money when the first round of legal fees is long gone.
Additionally, the cost of hiring a whistleblower lawyer can be substantial and should get noticed when choosing who will represent your company. You should know what they charge, what their hourly rate is, what contingency fee they might require, and if any hidden fees or expenses come with working with them.
What is your experience in handling cases like mine?
A qui tam lawyer may have experience in cases similar to yours, but they might not. You should always ask lawyers about their experience handling these cases and what specifically makes them qualified for your cases. It includes such as past victories or a strong track record.
● What does your success rate look like?
Whistleblower lawyers sometimes win cases for their clients because it can be challenging to prove wrongdoing. However, the lawyers will let you know how often they win and the percentage of cases in which they can negotiate settlements.
● How does my case fit into the timeline of your other cases?
Your whistleblower lawyer should give you an idea about when it would be best for them to take on your case versus another one on their plate. Of course, the timelines may align differently, but this knowledge will help you decide which attorney is right for you.
● How soon do I need to act?
Suppose you suspect that misconduct is occurring at your company. In that case, it is best to act as soon as possible before any evidence has been deleted or deleted itself, making it difficult to prove anything without additional investigation.
Moreover, if there’s enough time between an incident and when you start taking action against it, the whistleblower may resort to other measures like leaving for another job. But, it’s best to act quickly, so the misconduct does not happen again, and the company can avoid legal troubles.
What is your success rate in winning cases like mine?
It’s important to know that a lawyer is going to be able to solve only some of your problems. However, they get trained in the law. And it’s up to you to determine the best solution for your company. That getting said, it’s worth knowing how successful they have been with cases like yours before you hire them.
What are the risks involved in pursuing a case like mine?
When someone blows the whistle on misconduct, they usually do so to help their company and protect their coworkers. However, there is a risk involved in pursuing such an action. Because of this risk, you need to ask your whistleblower lawyer how they plan to mitigate the risks before committing to them.
Some risks may include financial losses if they don’t settle or end up in court, career setbacks, and damage to personal relationships with current and possible future employers. Especially given how common it is for whistleblowers to get fired from blowing the whistle, you must find out what happens if your case does not go through litigation.
What are the potential rewards?
Whistleblowers usually leak information to help the company improve. Hiring a whistleblower lawyer puts your company in the best position. You’ll likely avoid paying excessive money to settle out of court and work with your lawyer, often at a reduced rate, to develop new strategies for improving a company.
Additionally, whistleblowers often get incentivized with monetary rewards like bonuses or promotions for their whistleblowing efforts. A whistleblower lawyer is also more likely than not to be able to ask for these good outcomes if they take on the case.
What is the process involved in pursuing a case like mine?
When you hire a whistleblower lawyer, they will help you through the process of filing a lawsuit. However, it’s important to know the process before hiring them. The lawyers will usually require that you have all relevant documents. It includes emails, memos, and HR files. And they will then look for evidence that the company wrongfully terminated the employee or violated their rights.
From there, those lawyers will work for your case and defend it in court if necessary. The process lasts about three months on average. However, if there is any evidence of wrongdoing by the company, this can take much longer than three months. Wrongdoing includes such as fraudulent behavior or discrimination against employees of certain ethnicities or sexual orientations,
Conclusion
Finding the right lawyer is crucial when pursuing a case against your employer. But when you need to figure out what to ask, it can take time to figure out where to turn. So before you hire a lawyer, make sure you ask yourself these questions.
Moreover, it is important to ask a few key questions before hiring a qui tam lawyer. These questions will help you determine if the lawyer is a good fit for your case and if they have the experience and knowledge to help you win it.
