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False Claims Act: Overview
Washington, DC Qui Tam Attorneys
Under the False Claims Act, individuals may sue on behalf of the federal government to collect money the government has paid as a result of fraudulent or illegal claims. An individual who sues under the False Claims Act is known as a whistleblower, or relator, and is entitled to a percentage of the recovered amount. False Claims Act lawsuits are known as qui tam cases.
When any person or entity submits a false claim for payment from the government, they are liable to repay the government under the False Claims Act. If you are aware of this type of fraud, you can become a whistleblower and file a qui tam claim against the party committing the fraud.
The False Claims Act provides a generous incentive to whistleblowers who report fraud against the government by filing a qui tam lawsuit. Under this law, whistleblowers can be awarded 15% to 30% of the recovered sum, depending on whether the government intervenes in the qui tam claim and other factors.
Relators
If you decide to file a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act, you become a “relator.” To be a relator, you do not need to be a victim of the fraud you report. You must only have knowledge of fraud against the federal government to become a relator in a qui tam case.
Because the relator must have specific knowledge about the fraud being reported, whistleblowers typically report fraud committed by their employer. However, anyone with knowledge of fraud against the government may become a relator, not just the wrongdoer’s employees. For instance, wrongdoers’ patients, competitors, and employees’ relatives have also succeeded in filing qui tam claims.
Whistleblower Protections
In addition to compensation, the False Claims Act also affords serious protection to whistleblowers. If you choose to become a whistleblower, your identity will remain under seal (confidential) while the government investigates your claim, even if the wrongdoer learns of the investigation. Your name will only be released to the public and the wrongdoer after the government’s investigation is completed and the Court declines to extend the seal.
The False Claims Act also protects whistleblowers from retaliation, which is especially important for whistleblowers who still work for the wrongdoer when they report the fraudulent claims. You can sue the wrongdoer for damages suffered from any action to dismiss, demote, harass, or discriminate against you based on your whistleblower status. In order to recover damages, however, you must be able to prove that your employer knew you were engaged in a qui tam action against them at the time of the retaliatory action.
Experienced Qui Tam Lawyers
In addition to our personal injury practice, Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represents whistleblowers with the courage and integrity to report fraud against the federal government under the False Claims Act. We believe that reporting fraud is an important civic duty and a patriotic act on behalf of America’s taxpayers.
If you are aware of fraud or false claims against the US government, please contact our qui tam lawyers today. Our attorneys will offer legal consultation without obligation. All communication between you and Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys during the consultation process are completely confidential and are protected by attorney-client privilege.
