What is a sealed claim?

A sealed claim is a type of legal action that is initiated in a court of law by a whistleblower in the state of Virginia. It is known as a sealed claim because the facts of the case, including the identities of the parties and any evidence, are kept confidential and hidden from the public. The purpose of a sealed claim is to protect the whistleblower from potential retaliation by their employer, or from being exposed to humiliation, embarrassment, or public ridicule. It also keeps the terms and conditions of the settlement secret, protecting both the whistleblower and their employer from any negative publicity. The law in Virginia requires that any claims filed by a whistleblower must be filed under seal, meaning that all documents related to the case, including the complaint, must be filed with the court and then sealed away from the public. Sealing the claims also ensures that the court proceedings are not disrupted or delayed due to the need for discovery and other related court proceedings. When a sealed claim is filed, a judge will decide whether it is appropriate to take the case to trial or to resolve it through mediation or another form of dispute resolution. If the judge decides that mediation or another form of dispute resolution is the best course of action, they will order the parties to move forward with the mediation process. If the parties cannot resolve the dispute, then the judge will set a trial date and proceed with the case.

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