State Qui Tam Differences

As the False Claims Act is primarily used to protect federal interests, many states have created their own qui tam whistleblower protection laws to help reduce fraud within their local industries and contracts. As with any state legal structure, the state government can set the details of the laws in a way that seeks to best address its unique problems and concerns.

For advice concerning your legal rights and options as a whistleblower, contact the qui tam lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, today at 202-973-0900.

Variation in State Laws

Even though the fraud of funds for state contract abuses mostly affects taxpayers in that individual state, the issue is a reality that each state must contend with. As a result, states may target specific types of a fraud more closely or break down the overall government structure to reveal fraud more easily than the significantly larger federal government. The following guidelines may be present in state laws involving qui tam:

• Lack of whistleblower protection in some industries
• Only applying qui tam laws to Medicaid or healthcare fraud
• No qui tam law, but whistleblower reward laws
• Less stringent case requirements than federal standards

Some states may only use a state qui tam law to pursue healthcare fraud in part because this type of fraud is so widespread and costly for the state.

Contact Us

If you have information that may contribute to a state whistleblower suit, it is important that you speak with a legal professional. These cases are important forms of legal action that can not only provide a reward for the person filing the claim if the case is successful, but can also help recover taxpayer funds. To learn more about your legal rights in your state, contact the qui tam attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP, by calling 202-973-0900.