Fraud can happen anywhere, and Dallas, Texas is no exception. When employees realize fraud is happening at their company, they have a moral obligation to come forward with the information by filing a qui tam lawsuit.
The legal process in whistleblower cases can be challenging to navigate. Fortunately, a Dallas qui tam attorney can help in your case. You can start your whistleblower journey by scheduling a free consultation with Tycko & Zavareei LLP today.
What is a Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is someone who discovers fraud happening, usually inside their workplace, and chooses to report the illegal activity through a qui tam lawsuit. Fraud commonly involves lying to the federal government to cheat the government out of money.
A whistleblower has inside information that could be used to make the government aware of the fraud and expose the fraud through the legal system. To bring this information forward, they have the option of filing a qui tam lawsuit with the help of an attorney.
What is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?
Fraud against the US government can happen in a variety of areas. When a whistleblower comes forward with information about fraud, they can sue their employer on behalf of the US government. This type of lawsuit is called a qui tam lawsuit, or a whistleblower lawsuit. A whistleblower can file qui tam lawsuits because of the federal False Claims Act.
Understanding the False Claims Act
The False Claims Act is a federal law that has been in place since the American Civil War. It helps discourage fraud and encourages employees to come forward and expose fraud. Because of the False Claims Act, a whistleblower can sue their employer on behalf of the federal government.
Whistleblowers whose information leads to the successful recovery of defrauded funds get to keep a percentage of the recovered amount, typically between 15 and 30 percent. In some fraud cases, this can be a substantial amount. The False Claims Act, as well as the Texas whistleblower law, also protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation and keeps their identity a secret during the initial investigation into the alleged fraud. These protections help encourage whistleblowers to come forward.
Examples of Qui Tam Lawsuits
The specifics of your qui tam lawsuit will depend on the type of fraud you are trying to expose. A few common examples of fraud in Dallas include:
- Tax fraud: A business might withhold or falsify information to avoid paying federal or state taxes.
- Healthcare fraud: A medical group might hide or lie about healthcare services rendered in order to charge groups like Medicare and Medicaid more for services.
- Government contracts fraud: Companies might lie in government contracts to ultimately get more money from the government.
- Customs and tariffs fraud: Businesses might try to evade taxes on their goods to try and “save” money or get an edge over their competitors.
How Much Can I Recover in a Dallas Qui Tam Lawsuit?
Your recovery amount will depend on the specifics of your case. Every case is different, and the information that whistleblowers bring forward also varies from case to case. For example, what sort of fraud was happening and how severe the fraud was can impact the amount you can recover.
The overall amount you get will depend on the amount won in the case. From this recovered amount, you as the whistleblower are awarded a certain percentage, depending on whether the fraud was committed against the state or federal government.
Can I Pursue a Qui Tam Lawsuit on Behalf of the Texas Government?
Some states have adopted false claims acts similar to the federal False Claims Act. Some states allow whistleblowers to sue their employers on behalf of the state government.
In Texas, whistleblowers can sue on behalf of the State in Medicaid fraud cases. So, if your situation involves Medicaid fraud, you might be able to take legal action on behalf of the Texas state government. Our attorneys can help you determine at what levels you can pursue your Dallas qui tam lawsuit when we review the facts of your case.
What is the Role of a Dallas Qui Tam Attorney?
The legal system is complex and often confusing. A qui tam attorney specializes in helping whistleblowers pursue legal action against their employers. A qui tam attorney helps you with your whistleblower lawsuit from start to finish.
First off, at your initial consultation, we can help you determine whether you are eligible to pursue a qui tam lawsuit in Dallas. If you decide to pursue a qui tam lawsuit, our dedicated whistleblower lawyers will promptly help you fill out the correct paperwork and compile evidence of fraud.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning we are paid when the case settles. If your claim is unsuccessful, we do not charge you anything for our legal services.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dallas Qui Tam Lawyer
We believe in open discussion. Maybe you are confused and not sure what you need to do with your information. When you get your free initial consultation with us, a Dallas qui tam attorney can help you decide your next steps. This consultation is always confidential. We are ready to work with you to help expose the fraud happening at your place of employment.
Tycko & Zavareei LLP is proud to serve clients in the Dallas area. Call us today for your free consultation.
