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Whistleblowers Help Recover $3.3 Billion

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
According to CNN, whistleblower tips led to a record $3.3 billion recovered by the Justice Department this past year in cases involving frauds against the government. You may have heard the term before, but what is a whistleblower? And, how does a whistleblower case happen? A whistleblower is a person who reveals alleged dishonest or illegal activities in a government department or corporate organization. When government is involved in fraudulent activity, the informant is protected by the False Claims Act which was first established in 1863 to combat fraud by suppliers during the Civil War. This act encourages whistleblowers to report misconduct by awarding them a percentage of money recovered by the government and protecting them from wrongful dismissal. If an employee witnesses fraud within their company that causes losses for the government, the employee should consult confidentially with a reputable attorney about what they saw. If no one else has reported a similar claim, this person has the opportunity to file what is called a Qui Tam lawsuit against their employer. The Qui Tam lawsuit is filed by the informant on behalf of the government. Once a Qui Tam lawsuit is filed, whistleblowers receive protection against retaliation from their employer. The informer cannot be discriminated against or treated any differently as a result of reporting the wrongdoing. Qui Tam cases are in the best interest of co-workers and the general public, because fraud against the government costs all of us billions of dollars. If the Qui Tam lawsuit is won, the whistleblower maintains appropriate protection under the False Claims Act and receives 10 to 30 percent of the amount of money recovered by the government as a reward for their involvement in taking action against their employers fraudulent activities.
If you have witnessed fraudulent activity involving a government entity, contact the Arnold Law Firm to determine if you have a possible whistleblower lawsuit opportunity. Our experienced Qui Tam attorneys will evaluate your case with compete confidence and at absolutely no cost to you. Original CNN Article: https://money.cnn.com/2012/12/04/news/economy/justice-whistleblowers/index.html

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.