Railroad Whistleblower Reward Attorney

The railroad industry is subject to federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of passengers and workers alike. However, many employees have inside knowledge of hazardous and unsafe conditions that are either permitted or caused by irresponsible employers. In addition, there are situations in which companies in the railroad industry engaged in business with the federal government commit fraud.

While the government does its best to prosecute safety violations and fraud, waste, and abuse, it cannot do so alone. Investigators and attorneys rely on the unique assistance provided by whistleblowers. The federal law protects these individuals from retaliation and may entitle them to a reward in certain cases. Learn more by partnering with the Oberheiden P.C. whistleblower rewards law firm.

Blowing the Whistle On Hazards and Fraud

Whistleblowers are individuals with inside information about misconduct. Due to their positions within companies and government entities, whistleblowers have the opportunity to end practices that endanger lives and waste taxpayer money. They may also be able to claim a reward for having the courage to step forward.

Railroad whistleblowers can report a broad array of abuse, and no two cases are exactly alike. These are some common issues that are exposed thanks to their efforts:

• Safety violations: An array of federal laws and rules impose safety requirements on railroad businesses. The goal is to prevent mass casualties, serious injuries, the release of dangerous substances into the environment, security at rail stations, and more. Because it is often difficult to obtain direct evidence of violations of federal law relating to railroad safety, whistleblowers play a critical role in protecting the health and lives of railroad workers, passengers, and the public.
• Enabling violations: Not only are the actual violations of laws and regulations an issue, but so are individuals and companies that pressure workers to break the rules or turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Businesses in the rail sector sometimes pursue profits so aggressively that they either deliberately cut corners on safety or ignore known problems. This puts everyone’s well-being at risk and could form the basis of a whistleblower complaint.
• Fraud, waste, and abuse: Railroad transportation companies routinely work with the federal government and the local law enforcement agency. Contractors and subcontractors are retained to help carry out official government business. This relationship gives companies access to significant taxpayer funds, including grants. Unfortunately, fraud, waste, and abuse can run rampant, and safety may also be compromised because of this misconduct.
• Retaliation: Railroad companies can retaliate against their employees for various reasons. For instance, a worker may be fired for reporting a safety violation to authorities or cooperating with an official investigation. An employee may also face punishment for becoming a whistleblower. However, these forms of retaliation are illegal and may open the door to the employee or whistleblower seeking compensation.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Requirements For Becoming A Whistleblower

A whistleblower requires more than notifying the government of safety violations or fraud. You should contact a knowledgeable Railroad whistleblower rewards attorney if you have evidence of such actions.

One of the most important qualifications for becoming a whistleblower is that the person has original information regarding the above or related items. Original essentially means that the government does not already know about the information, and it is not public. The information does not have to cause the government to open a new investigation, although it may. Many whistleblowers provide evidence that assists ongoing railroad safety or security investigations.

The information must be substantial, more than a mere hunch or suspicion. In fact, the more credible, detailed, and useful the evidence is to the government’s investigation and enforcement actions, the more likely the whistleblower will be able to collect a reward. It’s important that the whistleblower also cooperates with all government requests for assistance because their investigations can take a long time to complete.

Your railroad whistleblower rewards attorney will convince the government, including the National Transportation Safety Board, that the information you provide meets the above and other qualifications. Other tasks include filing official reports with the government or court paperwork, responding to government communications, and protecting your confidentiality as the law allows.

How Much Is A Railroad Whistleblower Reward Worth?

Various government laws and programs allow a whistleblower to expose wrongdoing and claim a reward. For example, the Federal Rail Safety Act (FRSA) includes provisions encouraging individuals to provide information about safety concerns and other issues. This law applies to employees of railroad carriers, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, and various other companies in the railroad industry.

The False Claims Act (FCA) and its qui tam provisions are popular avenues for exposing fraud, waste, and abuse. A qui tam lawsuit is filed on behalf of the government against the party or parties alleged to have stolen or misused taxpayer money. The government may decide to intervene in the case, which will reduce the potential reward. If the government does not intervene, the reward could be higher.

Depending on the circumstances, whistleblowers can seek up to 30% of funds that the government recovers. If the whistleblower is an employee fired for exposing safety violations or work-related personal injury, he or she can ask for compensatory damages, back pay, punitive damages, attorney fees, litigation costs, and court costs, in addition to reinstatement.

Protection Against Whistleblower Retaliation

As mentioned above, employer retaliation based on whistleblower status is against the law and may entitle the whistleblower to take legal action. Different types of retaliation include job termination, demotion, denial of a promotion, withholding pay, and more. If you have been discriminated against because you are a whistleblower and a railroad employee, we can help with whistleblower protection.

Contact Our Railroad Whistleblower Rewards Attorney

Help keep the nation’s railways and communities safe by becoming a whistleblower. Our firm can evaluate the information you have, help you file a whistleblower claim, and seek any rewards to which the law entitles you. Get started by calling Oberheiden P.C. today, or use our online contact form.