From building bridges to administering Medicare, the government contracts with private businesses to carry out their work. Naturally, this creates the potential opportunity for fraudulent behavior on behalf of the contractors. A whistleblower lawsuit (also known as a qui tam lawsuit) allows a citizen informant to “blow the whistle on” wrongdoers and exposes fraud. Whistleblower lawsuits reward whistleblowers who report false or fraudulent claims filed with the federal government. Whistleblower actions are filed pursuant to the False Claims Act, also known as the “Lincoln Law.” If you’re considering filing a whistleblower claim, an experienced whistleblower lawyer can help guide you through the process and protect your rights.
Think you have a whistleblower (qui tam) claim? Call us at 1-800-718-4658 or fill out our quick contact form for a FREE consultation to speak to a whistleblower lawyer today.
Who Can File a Whistleblower Lawsuit?
Anyone with knowledge of federal government contractor fraud, and proof of that fraud, can file a whistleblower claim. A whistleblower lawyer experienced in government contracts and qui tam claims files the suit along with the required paperwork on the citizen informant’s behalf.
However, the case only proceeds if two conditions are first met.
- The filer must be the first person to notify the government of the fraud.
- The information must not already be within the public domain.
Meeting this criteria is crucial in order to maintain eligibility for compensation under the False Claims Act.
How Does a Whistleblower Lawsuit Work?
Step 1: Initial Case Review
If you are aware of a contractor’s fraudulent conduct, you should meet with an experienced whistleblower lawyer to discuss the facts and circumstances surrounding the fraud against the federal government. Because only the first filer is entitled to compensation, you shouldn’t discuss this knowledge with anyone else.
Your lawyer will:
- Review the information
- Evaluate available evidence
- Determine if the statute of limitations has expired
In qui tam actions, the length of time for filing varies based on different circumstances. For this reason, it is critical for you to contact a whistleblower lawyer as soon as you become aware of the fraudulent conduct.
Step 2: Filing the Complaint
If the statute of limitations time period has not lapsed, and the facts are sufficient, your attorney will draft and file:
- A formal complaint
- A Realtor’s Statement
“Relator” refers to the person filing the lawsuit, also known as the citizen informant. The attorney files these documents with the Court and forwards these documents to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and to the U.S. Attorney General. These documents detail the identity of the party alleged to have engaged in fraud against the government, and the details of the fraudulent behavior. The documents also include a description of the evidence that proves the fraudulent behavior.
Step 3: Government Review
The whistleblower lawsuit remains “under seal” for at least 60 days to give the Department of Justice ample time to perform their own investigation of the claim. It is not uncommon for the government to ask for, and receive, an extension of the 60-day period for their investigation.
The government may:
- Take over the case
- Settle the case
- Dismiss the case
- Decide not to intervene
Because the information is “under seal” during this time, it is critical that you not discuss the case with others or post anything on social media pertaining to the case. If the government chooses not to intervene, you (along with your lawyer) proceed with the claim on behalf of the government.
If the court finds fraudulent conduct, the Relator, as the person who brought the fraud to the government’s attention, is entitled to a percentage of the damages assessed. Depending on the circumstances, this can range from 15% to 25%.
Types Of Whistleblower Lawsuits
All whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuits involve frauds perpetrated upon the federal government. The most common whistleblower lawsuits involve the following:
- Healthcare
- Defense contractor or military contracts
- Government purchases
- Environmental regulation
- Oil, gas, and mining
- Education fraud
- IRS Tax fraud
- Prevailing wage Act
Why are Whistleblower Cases Tricky to Prosecute?
The False Claims Act is very complicated. When selecting a lawyer for a qui tam lawsuit, it is critical to hire a Whistleblower Action Attorney with the necessary experience and resources to handle the case. Nadrich Law’s qui tam legal team has pursued several whistleblower lawsuits on behalf of individuals who desired to expose fraud committed by contractors doing business with the federal government.
Do I Have A Whistleblower Case?
If you have knowledge of contractor fraud being perpetrated upon the federal government, you may have a case. Contact the qui tam whistleblower lawyers of Nadrich Law for a free case evaluation. There is no risk to you in choosing to pursue a whistleblower suit. Our attorneys only collect a fee once we make a recovery.
By coming forward, you are helping put an end to the abuse harming taxpayers and government programs.
Request a Free Whistleblower Case Evaluation
Ready to speak to an experienced qui tam whistleblower lawyer? Contact us now by filling out our quick contact form or by calling us at 1-800-718-4658 . We offer a FREE, confidential case evaluation. Call now.
