The majority of companies are ethical and decent, but a whistleblower claims lawyer New Mexico clients recommend knows that there are also companies who engage in unethical or even illegal activities on a regular basis. In many cases, the only way these companies get caught is because an employee who is privy to the misconduct comes forward and reports it to the proper authorities. In the past, reporting the activity often led to serious ramifications for the worker, but today, with both federal and state whistleblower law protections, that is no longer the case. However, that doesn’t mean employers still do not try. If you have information about your employer and are unsure what your next step should be, contact Davie & Valdez P.C.
What Exactly Is a Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is an employee who witnesses or uncovers unethical or illegal activity by their employer and makes the decision to report that wrongdoing to the proper authorities in order to protect the public. Some of the types of things a whistleblower may report include:
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Endangering the public
- Criminal activity
- Abuse of power
Risks of Coming Forward
Although there are laws that are supposed to protect whistleblowers, a New Mexico whistleblower claims lawyer knows that a corrupt employer does not always follow the laws. If they did, they would not be committing illegal activity, to begin with. Some of the acts an employer may try against a whistleblower employee are:
- Retaliation against the worker – This can be poor treatment, harassment, demotion, or even firing.
- Blacklisting – If the whistleblower leaves the company they reported, they may find themselves blacklisted from being able to work in the same industry because the employer has slandered them to other companies.
Although there may be risks, coming forward can also come with benefits. In successful cases, it may be possible for a whistleblower to obtain a reward for coming forward. For example, in cases of government fraud, many whistleblowers receive a percentage of the amount of money illegally gained by the employer.
Having Legal Representation
Although you don’t legally require a lawyer to represent you, many employees find having a New Mexico whistleblower claims lawyer advocating for them and protecting them from employer retaliation to be beneficial. The whistleblower process can be a very complex one and trying to navigate it yourself can be overwhelming at times.
You want to speak to a lawyer before confronting your employer or reporting the prohibited activity to ensure that you are fully protected. Having a lawyer right from the beginning also sends a message to your employer that any illegal retaliation from them will be met with aggressive representation from your lawyer.
However, you don’t just want any type of lawyer. You want one that deals specifically with these types of situations. Call Davie & Valdez P.C. to speak with a dedicated New Mexico whistleblower claims lawyer and find out how we can help.
If your employer has retaliated against you for reporting fraud, public health concerns or other wrongdoing, it may be time to speak to a whistleblower claims lawyer in New Mexico. What your employer has done is unjust and you don’t deserve to be treated this way. Here are some benefits of working with a lawyer:
- Assist with gathering evidence. If you wish to file a whistleblower claim, you must have sufficient evidence. However, if this is your first time filing this type of claim, you might not know what type of evidence you need and how to organize it. That is where a lawyer comes in. He or she can help you gather the evidence you need, such as recorded phone conversations, emails and statements from witnesses, and present it in a persuasive way in court.
- Determine your eligibility for a whistleblower award. Not everyone who blows the whistle on a company’s illegal actions is entitled to a reward. There are multiple factors that determine whether you are eligible for monetary compensation or not. That is another reason to consult a skilled lawyer as soon as possible. He or she can look into the specifics of your case and determine if you have a good shot at obtaining compensation.
- Provide legal protection. If you want to report your employer’s wrongful actions, but are worried about retaliation, a whistleblower claims a lawyer in New Mexico can help. He or she can file a claim on your behalf while you remain anonymous.
How to Choose the Right Whistleblower Claims Lawyer
Choosing the right whistleblower claims lawyer can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips for selecting the appropriate lawyer for your case:
- Specific experience. Since whistleblower law is complex, you want to hire a lawyer who has handled many whistleblower claims in the past. A lawyer with experience will know how to properly present your case in court and protect your legal rights.
- Good track record of winning whistleblower claims. During your first consultation with a lawyer, ask him or her to provide a list of whistleblower cases and results. You definitely want to work with a lawyer with a successful track record.
If you want to file a whistleblower claim, you may want to schedule a consultation with a whistleblower claims lawyer in New Mexico from Davie & Valdez P.C. as soon as possible.