Do Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblowers Receive a Reward?
Finding out that your employer, or anyone else who works in the auto industry with you, has committed fraud or put the lives of the public at risk for their own financial gain can be concerning, to say the least. Perhaps you are wondering where to turn and what is going to happen if your blow the whistle.
When the risks of whistleblowing are so high, it is not uncommon for potential whistleblowers to wonder if the risk will be worth it in the end. Below, we go into further detail about reporting violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act and the criteria that need to be met for a whistleblower to win an award under the MVSWA.
What Is the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act?
The Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act (MVSWA) was enacted just a few years ago in 2015. Its purpose is to encourage people who work in the automotive industry to come forward and report information involving safety concerns in vehicles and other violations surrounding motor vehicles as a whole.
After several large car manufacturers and auto parts manufacturers came under scrutiny in recent years, as was the case with the Takata airbag scandal, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) took action by implementing the MVSWA.
How You Could Win a MVSWA Award
There are several requirements that you will need to meet in order to obtain a whistleblower award. First, you need to report your concerns to your employer’s internal compliance program. The only way to avoid this requirement is if you have genuine concerns of retaliation.
Your information must be provided voluntarily, be original, and allow the DOJ and the SEC to take enforceable action against the violating individual or company in question. Finally, these government agencies will need to be able to recover said sanctions in excess of $1 million for you to qualify for a whistleblower award under the MVSWA.
If you are entitled to an award for your efforts in coming forward, you could be awarded up to 30 percent of whatever the SEC and the DOJ is able to recover, depending on how valuable your tip was to the outcome of their investigation.
Get Help from a Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Lawyer
If you are interested in discussing a MVSWA violation that you are considering reporting, or if you have questions about the whistleblowing process, meet with an experienced motor vehicle safety whistleblower lawyer at Meissner Associates.
We provide confidential tip reviews to individuals working in the auto industry who are aware of fraudulent activities and safety concerns. You can take advantage of this opportunity by submitting the brief contact form included at the bottom of this page or by calling our office at 1-866-764-3100 to schedule yours.
