Whistleblower Attorney in Tampa

Focused Employment Law. Litigation-Tested Qui Tam Representation for Tampa Bay.

When you have direct knowledge of fraud against a government program, the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733) gives you the right to act. Private citizens called relators can file a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. government and, if the government recovers funds, may receive a portion of that recovery. At Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC, we help Tampa Bay workers navigate qui tam actions and whistleblower retaliation claims as part of an exclusive employment law practice. Whistleblower matters aren’t a secondary offering here. They’re part of focused, litigation-tested work on the employee side of the law.

Common qui tam fact patterns include fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid billing, upcoding, billing for services not rendered, and defense contractor fraud. Timing is critical: under the first-to-file rule, the first person with valid original-source knowledge to file has priority. Waiting risks losing that position entirely.

Reach out to our attorneys at Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC online or call (727) 202-5840 to schedule a consultation.

How a Qui Tam Case Moves from Filing to Resolution

A qui tam complaint under the False Claims Act is filed under seal, meaning the defendant isn’t notified at the outset. While the case remains sealed, the Department of Justice investigates the allegations, a process that often takes a year or longer. Understanding what happens at each stage helps you make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Key stages in the qui tam process:

• Filing under seal: The complaint is submitted to the court and served on the DOJ, but the defendant receives no notice while the investigation is ongoing
• DOJ investigation: Federal investigators review the allegations, which may include interviews, document review, and coordination with other agencies
• Intervention decision: The DOJ decides whether to intervene and take over prosecution or decline, allowing the relator’s legal team to pursue the case independently
• Recovery and relator share: If the government intervenes and the matter resolves, the relator may potentially receive between 15% and 25% of the recovered funds. If the government declines and the relator’s attorneys proceed independently, that share may rise to between 25% and 30%
• Penalties: Liable parties under the False Claims Act face repayment of three times the amount defrauded, plus significant per-claim penalties

To qualify, the relator must be the original source of the information. Prior public disclosures or earlier qui tam filings covering the same conduct can disqualify a claim, which is another reason early action matters.

Whistleblower Retaliation in Tampa Bay

Reporting an employer’s illegal conduct takes courage. Federal and Florida law protect both public and private employees who do so, and we represent Tampa Bay workers who have faced retaliation after speaking up. Florida is an at-will employment state, but that status doesn’t give an employer license to punish protected whistleblowing activity.

Protected conduct includes reporting:

• Wage theft
• Discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Fraud
• Misclassification
• Hostile work environment violations

Prohibited retaliation includes termination, demotion, reduction in hours, pay cuts, suspension, denial of promotion, and other adverse employment actions. Any of these responses to protected reporting can support a retaliation claim under federal or Florida law.

Why Tampa Bay Whistleblowers Work with Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC

Our firm handles only employment law. That concentration means our attorneys have built genuine familiarity with the statutes, defenses, and litigation dynamics that define these cases. When a whistleblower matter comes to us, it receives the same focused attention we bring to every employment dispute, not the diluted treatment it might get at a general practice firm.

We take on cases selectively, which means when we agree to pursue a matter, we’re confident in the path forward. Our attorneys bring collective decades of experience to case strategy, and that depth shapes how we anticipate opposition tactics and structure arguments. Our work has been cited by FOX 4, ABC Action News, The National Desk, WESH2, and WMNF 88.5, reflecting the standing our attorneys have earned in the Tampa Bay employment law community.

Speak with a Whistleblower Lawyer in Tampa Bay Today

If you’ve reported fraud or illegal conduct and faced consequences for it, or if you’re weighing whether to come forward, don’t wait. The first-to-file rule and retaliation statutes both carry timing implications that can affect your rights. Our attorneys are ready to listen and can help you understand your options.

Contact us online or call (727) 202-5840 today to speak with a whistleblower attorney at Kwall Barack Nadeau PLLC.