Do You Need a Maryland Whistleblower Lawyer?
Have you been the victim of whistleblower retaliation by your employer because you reported fraud or wrongdoing?
- Do you need to protect your career because you reported your employer’s illegal or unethical conduct?
- Did you object to criminal conduct or refuse to help your employer commit a crime?
- Are your reputation and financial stability on the line because you did the right thing and spoke out?
There are numerous federal, state, and local laws that may protect a Maryland whistleblower. For example, the Maryland Whistleblower Law provides protections for state employees who report abuses of employer power, safety violations, or gross mismanagement of money. Similar to the Federal False Claims Act, the Maryland False Health Care Claims Act prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers who report attempts to defraud a Maryland state health plan or program. Maryland courts also recognize the common law tort of wrongful discharge as an exception to the at-will employment doctrine. Chances are that if you were fired illegally in Maryland, there is a law to get your job back.
The attorneys at The Employment Law Group® law firm are experienced in representing employees across the State of Maryland in claims ranging from disputes over unpaid wages to claims of healthcare and whistleblower retaliation against the largest employers in the State. We have prevailed in cases before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts in the Maryland.
Our attorneys secured a $1 million jury verdict for a victim of sexual harassment in Montgomery County. We also:
- Represented a client whose allegations that corporations defrauded the federal government resulted in a $57.75 Million False Claims Act settlement agreement.
- Secured a $3.6 million judgment against a defense contractor under the False Claims Act’s qui tam provision.
- Worked with the United States government to secure a $2.8 million settlement in a case involving allegations of healthcare fraud.
- Obtained an $819,000 jury verdict in a False Claims Act retaliation case on behalf of a scientist whose contract wasn’t renewed after he raised questions about possible misuse of federal research grants.
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Generally, whistleblower laws are intended to make whistleblowers whole. If you have suffered illegal retaliation, you may be entitled to reinstatement in your job; back pay for lost wages; front pay for future lost wages; litigation costs and attorney fees; and other compensatory damages.
As with all legal claims, deadlines are crucial. The deadlines to bring whistleblower claims in Maryland can vary greatly depending on the law that is being applied. All of these laws have strict filing deadlines, some of them quite short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provision of Maryland whistleblower law protects whistleblowers from retaliation?
The Maryland False Health Care Claims Act (MD FCA) includes an anti-retaliation provision that protects whistleblowers from retaliation by an employer. The primary elements of whistleblower retaliation are:
- Employer-Employee or Employer-Contractor Relationship. The plaintiff was an employee or contractor of the employer;
- Adverse Employment Action. The plaintiff was fired or experienced another form of adverse employment action; and
- Protected Conduct. The employee’s protected conduct was a substantial factor in the employer’s decision to take the adverse employment action.
Can a whistleblower receive a reward for disclosing health care fraud?
Yes, similar to the Federal False Claims Act, A whistleblower may be rewarded up to 25% of the proceeds recovered under the MD FCA. Additionally, a whistleblower who suffers unlawful retaliation is entitled to restatement, compensation for twice the amount of lost wages and benefits with interest, litigation costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.
What protections exist for state employees?
Under the Maryland Whistleblower Law, a supervisor, appointing authority, or the head of a principal unit may not take or refuse to take any personnel action as a reprisal against an employee who:
- discloses information that the employee reasonably believes evidences an abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, or gross waste of money; a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or a violation of law; or
- following a disclosure under item (1) seeks a remedy provided under the Whistleblower Law or any other law or policy governing the employee’s unit. Employees must file a written complaint within six months and may seek various types of relief to make them whole and restore their career.
What should I do if I am thinking about blowing the whistle or believe I have been retaliated against?
Keep a detailed log of your employer’s actions and statements relating to any kind of retaliation, and contact the employment attorneys at The Employment Law Group® law firm at 888-603-0983 or inquiry@employmentlawgroup.com to discuss your potential claim.
