Qui Tam Procedures
The procedures associated with filing a qui tam lawsuit can be rather confusing for an individual who is unfamiliar with such matters. Qui tam lawsuits differ from other kinds of legal action because they are in effect dependent upon the possibility that the United States government may choose to intervene. The actions of the Department of Justice can significantly change the course of legal proceedings, so it is important to understand the possible consequences that this can have for your case.
For a free consultation regarding your potential whistleblower suit, contact the qui tam attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei at 202-973-0900.
Department of Justice Options
A qui tam suit does not begin or necessarily end with the Department of Justice. If the government does not take up your case, a lawsuit to address fraudulent actions may still proceed. However, if the Department seriously considers a case, they may do the following:
- Take the case, and work through the case
- Take the case, but settle before resolution
- Dismiss the case altogether
Whether or not the Department of Justice becomes involved, a qui tam suit will fall under seal, meaning that information regarding the case will not be permitted to be released. This then gives the Department of Justice a 60-day investigative period to review the case and determine their level of involvement. When the government becomes involved, they officially take the case as their own legal action, although the whistleblower will still be compensated according to the outcome.
Contact Us
The framework established to permit whistleblower action is meant to give citizens the chance to stand up and help their government, and, by extension, their nation. To learn more about qui tam and how it works, contact a qui tam attorney from the Tycko & Zavareei law office by calling 202-973-0900 today.
