--- description: Whistleblower protections are discussed by Washington, DC personal injury lawyers at Chaikin Sherman Cammarata Siegel, P.C. Read more here! title: Whistleblower Protection | Washington, DC Injury Lawyer --- Whistleblower Protection | Washington, DC Injury Lawyer # Whistleblower Protections Last Updated: September 3, 2024 Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Whistleblower Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/) » Whistleblower Protections What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $35.6 Million Medical Malpractice $18.8 Million Car Crash $17.1 Million Medical Malpractice $15 Million Neck & Spine Injury $14.25 Million Class Action $6 Million Brain Injury [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. Tilwanda Dofat Personal Injury They held my hand through the entire process. Meraf Mitchell They paved the way for a brighter future. Sheree Whitby I’m greeted with a hug every time I come. Sheba Halliburton Personal Injury They are always was available for any of my concerns. Teresa Morring Your office has taken care of us every step. Shyama Personal Injury Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* The firm’s four partners discuss their litigation approach and institutional credentials — including over $1 billion recovered, Tier One Best Law Firm recognition, three partners who served as presidents of the DC Trial Lawyers Association, and two Super Lawyers Top 100 honorees. For whistleblower and qui tam clients, the firm brings the same resources, trial readiness, and willingness to confront powerful entities. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Ira Sherman, Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Joseph Cammarata (00:01):** How do you pick the right personal injury lawyer? How do you know who to trust? This is the most important decision you’re going to make right now. The question is how do you get it right? **Allan Siegel (00:14):** For more than 50 years, we’ve gone to battle for our clients. We represent the victims of car bus and truck collisions, bike wrecks, traumatic brain injuries, and medical malpractice. We fight insurance companies, corporations, and governments at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel. We know what it takes to win, and we’re proud of the reputation that we’ve built as advocates for the people. **Ira Sherman (00:45):** Experience matters. That’s just the truth. There’s no other way to excel for our clients other than years of hard work. We’ve dedicated our entire professional careers to this cause and what do we have to show for it? Over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. Named Tier One Best Law Firm in Personal Injury Litigation. Three partners who served as presidents of the metropolitan DC Trial Lawyers Association and justice for tens of thousands of clients. **Stephen Ollar (01:22):** Needing a lawyer and finding one can be a scary and overwhelming process. We strive to take the fear and uncertainty out of that process, unlike other firms. When you call our firm, you will always speak with an attorney about your case. As a former staff sergeant in the United States Army, I know what it means to serve and we serve our clients by providing unmatched representation and the expertise to win cases. **Joseph Cammarata (01:50):** Our firm’s mission has always been to represent people from every walk of life, young, old, rich, poor, large cases. In the small ones that comes from our founder, Donald Chaikin. I will never forget what he would tell people. He would say, we fight for those you love. **Allan Siegel (02:09):** We are local and national leaders in the personal injury field. There are not many law firms that have our combination of awards and achievements. We have two trial lawyers recognized in the Super Lawyer’s Top 100 list. Ira Sherman served on the board of the Brain Injury Association of America for many years. Joe Cammarata is a past chair of the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, and I recently served as the chair of AAJ’s bus litigation group. Look, if people come in, the world **Ira Sherman (02:40):** is turned upside down. They don’t know where to turn next. When you hire us, we’re going to be doing all we can to obtain justice on your behalf. You just got one thing to do, which is to get **Allan Siegel (02:53):** better. We are Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel. Personal Injury Attorneys in Washington, DC. # Whistleblower Protections ## Washington, D.C. Qui Tam Attorneys Besides offering financial incentives, a key way that the government encourages [whistleblowers ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/)to report fraud is by offering special legal protections. The two most important protections the [False Claims Act](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/qui-tam/) affords to whistleblowers are protection from retaliation and conditional anonymity. ### Protecting Whistleblowers From Retaliation Most whistleblowers in qui tam actions are reporting on fraud that has been committed by their employer or boss. If this employer suspends, demotes, threatens, or fires the person for actions related to their whistleblower lawsuit, subsection (h) of the False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to file a separate case against their employer. In retaliation lawsuits, any damages recovered are paid directly to the whistleblower. No percentage will go to the government. However, in order to ensure you are fully protected under subsection (h), it is important that you make your whistleblower lawyer aware of any past, present, or future possibility for retaliation. Additionally, be sure to let your attorney know if your employment status changes during either the investigation or the prosecution of your qui tam action, so they can include a subsection (h) claim in your whistleblower complaint. **Qui tam defendants who violate this law can be held liable for “special damages,” including:** - Double the amount of any back-pay owed to the whistleblower - Interest on the amount of back-pay - Re-instatement without the employee’s loss of seniority Subsection (h) claims are often settled long after the whistleblower lawsuit has been resolved. The experienced qui tam attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. can help you pursue your retaliation claim even without government intervention. ### Conditional Anonymity As a way of pre-emptively avoiding retaliation, the False Claims Act also provides whistleblowers with conditional anonymity. For at least 60 days after you file your qui tam lawsuit, your identity will remain confidential and under seal. Only the Court and the government’s team of investigators will know who you are. If the investigation takes longer than sixty days, the Court can extend the Order to keep your identity a secret. However, the Court’s seal and your anonymity are not legally guaranteed to stay in place for over sixty days. **If you have specific information about a fraudulent claim for payment against the government, please [contact our team of experienced attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a confidential consultation. We can help you investigate the situation and protect your rights.** ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The whistleblower and qui tam attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent individuals who report fraud against the federal government in cases involving [qui tam False Claims Act actions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/qui-tam/), [health care fraud](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/health-care-fraud/), [Medicare and Medicaid fraud](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/medicare-medicaid-fraud/), [government contractor fraud](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/government-contractor-fraud/), and [Anti-Kickback Statute violations](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/anti-kickback-statute/), with full guidance on [whistleblower protections](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/whistleblower-protections/) and [retaliation claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/whistleblower-cases/can-my-employer-retaliate/) for those considering coming forward. Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Why You Should Have Uninsured Motorist Insurance In DC Why You Should Have Uninsured Motorist Insurance in Maryland Can My Employer Retaliate? 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Whistleblowers (called “relators” in the False Claims Act) may have difficulty in seeking a qui Read More » 04/01/2016