Whistleblowers Have Recovered More than $2.2 Billion in Damages

The False Claims Act, specifically the “Qui Tam” provision, allows individuals the opportunity to bring a legal action against an entity which made false claims to the federal government. Becoming a whistleblower is not an easy decision, which is why individuals with knowledge of fraud against the United States are provided an incentive – to receive a portion of any recovered damages in exchange for “blowing the whistle” on the government’s behalf. If you have knowledge of an entity or individual defrauding the government, you may have the opportunity to collect 15% to 30% of the amount the government is able to recover as a result of the Qui Tam lawsuit. To date, more than $27 billion in settlements and recoveries have been obtained by the government in False Claims Act cases.

Lawsuits filed under the Qui Tam provision of the False Claims Act stand to provide substantial compensation to those who elect to blow the whistle, and should only be handled by attorneys with the experience needed to take on these cases. At Morgan and Morgan, our False Claims Act lawyers will put forth their years of work as trial attorneys to not only aggressively pursue these cases, but also to ensure the whistleblower receives the full protection available to them by federal law.

If you would like to speak out against government fraud, contact our whistleblower attorneys to learn more about your legal options – at no cost to you.

False Claims Act: Types of Fraud

Any business or individual who makes a false statement to obtain government funds may be held accountable under the False Claims Act. Typically, violations under the False Claims Act and similar laws result from the following types of fraud:

• Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
• Pharmaceutical and Health Care Fraud
• Government Contractor Fraud
• U.S. Customs Fraud
• Defense Contractor Fraud
• SEC Fraud
• Financial Industry Fraud

Qui Tam lawsuits can also be filed in instances of government grant fraud; GSA contract fraud; U.S. Postal Service fraud; military and defense fraud; federal student loan fraud; federal crop insurance fraud.

Who Can File Qui Tam Lawsuits?

The False Claims Act has been one of the most successful mechanisms in which the government is able to recover funds which were lost through fraud by contractors, corporations and individual wrongdoers. In Qui Tam lawsuits, claims are filed against these entities by individuals who are not affiliated with the government, but have insider knowledge about fraud against the United States. Whistleblowers typically include the following:

Current and Former Employees: Employees who “blow the whistle” on their current or former employer are the most common plaintiffs in Qui Tam cases. Discovering fraud against the government is generally difficult without the assistance of an insider close to the fraudulent activity. Employees who file Qui Tam lawsuits were usually fired or quit after they made a complaint about the fraud or attempted to blow the whistle within their company, to no avail. Former employees are among the most helpful whistleblowers bringing Qui Tam cases, as without these close observers, any evidence of fraud will simply remain circumstantial evidence. Therefore, whistleblowers who have made the tough decision of coming forward with their claims are vitally important in uncovering government fraud.

Competitors and Subcontractors: A less common whistleblower plaintiff, a subcontractor or competitor may also bring a Qui Tam claim on behalf of the federal government. If a competitor, or employee of a competitor, has knowledge of fraudulent activity within another establishment, they may be able to file a lawsuit under the False Claims Act. Additionally, in the past, entities or individuals who subcontract with government contractors have also filed Qui Tam cases against the contractor.

Industry Experts: In a few Qui Tam cases, industry experts have successfully filed claims against several defendants alleging a fraudulent practice across a specific industry. By having a thorough understanding of a particular industry and the common scheme employed, these experts are able to blow the whistle on multiple companies.

Why Should I Blow the Whistle?

Filing a Qui Tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act provides whistleblowers, whether they are former employees or industry experts, a rare opportunity. They are given a chance to speak out and report government fraud, which costs taxpayers billions of dollars annually. However, only a small number of potential whistleblowers have the courage to come forward with their claims, allowing many instances of fraudulent activity to remain undetected.

If you are considering becoming a whistleblower, the most important step is selecting the right law firm to handle your case and address any hesitations you may have. At Morgan and Morgan, our False Claims Act lawyers have the knowledge and resources not only to aggressively pursue your Qui Tam case, to the Supreme Court if necessary, but also to address any questions you have concerning confidentiality, backed by a full understanding of the law. It is important to keep in mind that the False Claims Act recognizes the need for whistleblower protection and confidentiality, and our Qui Tam lawyers will work diligently to protect your identity during the filing process. If the government elects not to pursue the Qui Tam claim, your identity will never be revealed. Even if the Qui Tam lawsuit is taken to court, and you must testify, you are still protected under the False Claims Act. For coming forward with their claim, the law provides whistleblowers with rewards, not only monetary compensation, but also job security. Under the False Claims Act, you cannot be fired, harassed, or otherwise retaliated against for coming forward. Should your employer retaliate against you, additional monetary damages may be available.

Whistleblowing is a complex area of the law, and those considering reporting government fraud are urged to contact an experienced False Claims Act lawyer before taking any action. Our whistleblower attorneys are providing a free consultation to any individual who is considering filing a Qui Tam claim. There is no cost or obligation associated with this initial review.