The term “qui tam” came from a Latin phrase that translates to “he who brings action for the king as well as himself.” Qui tam cases are a type of whistleblower lawsuits brought under the False Claims Act. Under the law, whistleblowers are rewarded in successful cases where the government recovers funds lost to fraud. Qui tam cases are a powerful way for whistleblowers to help the government stop numerous types of fraud. Cases range from Medicare and Medicaid fraud to defense contractor fraud, kickback cases, best price cases, off-label marketing cases, and other types of frauds that impact government finances.
The False Claims Act rewards whistleblowers whose qui tam lawsuits recover government funds and provides job protection to whistleblowers because of the risks they take to expose and put an end to fraud against the government. Once a person has evidence of fraud against the government and decides to blow the whistle, that person needs experienced representation.
An individual may sue a person or business that is defrauding the government and recover funds on behalf of the government under the False Claims Act. The lawsuit is then filed under seal and kept from everyone but the government while the government investigates the allegations. Indeed, even the person or entity accused of the fraud is not told about the qui tam case. After its investigation, the government decides whether it will join the case. Those found liable under the False Claims Act sometimes pay as much as three times the government’s losses plus penalties for each false claim.
Our team is well equipped with this area of the law and can handle even the most complex qui tam actions. We are dedicated to ending fraud against the U.S. government and taxpayers.