> ... or the worker would risk bankruptcy or other legal shenanigans putting it beyond their reach.

Seems like that would happen anyway? eg it sounds like these companies are mostly going to do their utmost to fight against the legal proceedings. play every legal/bastard tactic they can, discredit the whistleblower, likely hire 3rd parties to disrupt things, etc.

Having the money in escrow doesn't seem like a guarantee the whistleblower would end up getting it either.