The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded $24 million to a whistleblower who reported safety issues at Hyundai Motor Co. The whistleblower’s actions resulted in Hyundai paying $210 million in civil penalties over recalls involving 1.7 million vehicles.
The whistleblower was rewarded under the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. This law authorizes the NHTSA to reward whistleblowers who provide information about safety violations in the automotive industry. This program is a critical tool for protecting consumers and saving lives.
In order to be eligible for a reward, the whistleblower must be a person with a direct connection to the automotive industry at the time they learn of the safety violations. An eligible whistleblower is an employee or contractor of a motor-vehicle manufacturer, parts supplier (i.e., manufacturer of motor-vehicle equipment), or dealership.
The whistleblower does not have to be a U.S. citizen or even a resident of this country. In the Hyundai case, the whistleblower was a citizen of South Korea.
The Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act is a new law, and it is very complicated. Anyone who is thinking about becoming a whistleblower under this law would be well advised to consult with an experienced whistleblower attorney.
As a whistleblower, you must comply with a number of technical requirements. You also must present evidence of safety violations in a compelling manner. Rewards are awarded based on the amount of...
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