3 Basic Facts of Qui Tam Cases
Every year, the federal government loses millions of dollars to fraudulent government contractors. These contractors may lie or steal to get an increased profit from the federal government, which is too busy to effectively police all contractors. In order to help keep government contractors honest, American citizens have the right to file a qui tam lawsuit against a fraudulent contractor on behalf of the government. However, these cases are far from simple.
If you have information regarding a contractor’s fraudulent conduct, we may be able to help you put together a qui tam lawsuit. To learn more about the False Claims Act, contact a qui tam attorney of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, at 202-973-0900 today.
Understanding Qui Tam Law
These three facts can help you understand how qui tam lawsuits work:
#1: Whistleblowers Are Legally Protected
When an individual has information about fraudulent conduct from a contractor, they often come from a position inside that organization. As a result, these whistleblowers are under the threat of being fired or having their pay cut due to reporting the fraud. However, the False Claims Act, which permits qui tam actions, also protects these whistleblowers from unfair workplace treatment.
#2: Whistleblowers Earn a Portion of the Reclaimed Funds
If a qui tam case is successful, the whistleblower who came forward with the information regarding the fraud can receive a portion of that fraud amount. When the federal government reclaims the fraudulent money, they will generally reward the original claimant for their help.
#3: The Government Doesn’t Have to Get Involved
One risk of qui tam lawsuits is that the Department of Justice may turn the case down. In these cases, a whistleblower still has the option to continue to continue their claim. However, without the help of the Department of Justice’s full resources, a claimant may face a serious legal battle.
Contact Us
If you have information revealing fraudulent activities by a government contractor, you may have the right to bring forward a case. For more information regarding these lawsuits and how yours may work, contact a knowledgeable qui tam lawyer of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, by calling 202-973-0900.
