My reading (IAAL) is that in 2012 the whistleblower laws were changed, and key language was added in. That language has been interpreted, in other contexts, to

My reading (IAAL) is that in 2012 the whistleblower laws were changed, and key language was added in. That language has been interpreted, in other contexts, to include future earnings. But the new law had not yet been tested, so this case is a "case of first impression" in that regard. The reason it will have far reaching impact is that potential whistleblowers will no longer worry about losing future earnings, which could have deterred (especially younger) potential whistleblowers.