Every year in America, individuals and companies defraud the government out of billions of dollars. What makes matters worse is that federal, state, and local governments are not the only victims in cases of fraud.
American taxpayers bear the brunt of fraud, as they are not getting the services they are paying for when fraud occurs. Fraud also hurst people’s trust in authority and institutions and causes ripple effects throughout the entire economy.
While the majority of fraud occurs in the healthcare industry, fraudulent activity can happen in all industries that receive government funding, including defense contracting, agriculture, construction, and disaster relief.
While the idea of fraud is disheartening for many, the idea of becoming a whistleblower and reporting fraud can also be intimidating, but it does not have to be. Educating yourself about being a whistleblower can help you get the courage and resolve you need to join the fight against fraud.
There is also strength in numbers. Rather than taking on fraud by yourself, consider contacting a San Antonio whistleblower lawyer who can help you in your case. The attorneys of Tycko & Zavareei LLP are well versed in qui tam law and can help you effectively blow the whistle on fraud taking place in San Antonio, TX.
San Antonio Whistleblower Laws
The first thing to consider when preparing to blow the whistle on fraud is the relevant legislation. Whistleblower cases are governed by the federal False Claims Act (FCA). Any business that accepts federal funding is subject to the FCA and may not submit false claims to the government to procure unwarranted payments.
Texas has its own False Claims Act that also applies to the waste and abuse of state government funds. It is similar to the federal FCA and covers a broad range of fraud and wrongdoings in a variety of industries.
Knowing which law to file a qui tam lawsuit under is one of the keys to a successful whistleblower case. Contact a skilled San Antonio whistleblower attorney to determine which law applies in your case.
Common Types of Fraud in San Antonio, TX
Fraud often happens in the healthcare industry, and there are numerous types of fraud to be on the lookout for that are unique to hospitals and care services. These include:
- Billing Medicare or Medicaid for services that were never rendered
- Billing for the same procedure more than once, known as “double billing“
- Billing for a more expensive procedure when a less expensive procedure was performed
- Receiving a financial kickback for referring patients to particular medical facility
In other industries, there are various types of fraud that are more common than others, such as:
- Filing false claims for work that has not been completed
- Lying about how many hours a project took or how many hours were worked
- Charging for more expensive materials but using cheaper alternatives
- Misrepresenting the diversity of a company’s ownership or workforce
These are not the only types of fraud occurring in San Antonio workplaces, but they are some of the most common. If you suspect fraud or have evidence of fraud taking place at your job, contact a whistleblower lawyer.
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we offer a free and confidential case evaluation so you can begin your whistleblower journey risk-free.
Are San Antonio Whistleblowers Protected?
One of the key provisions of both the federal and Texas FCAs is that whistleblowers are protected from employer retaliation for reporting fraud. What this means is that employers cannot take adverse actions against an employee for blowing the whistle on fraud.
The list of actions you would be protected against after exposing fraud include:
- Reduction of hours or pay
- Suspension
- Demotion
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Termination
An employer can also not withhold raises or promotions because an employee reported fraud.
Contact Tycko & Zavareei LLP to see how else you can be protected if you decide to blow the whistle on fraud in your San Antonio workplace.
Can San Antonio Whistleblowers Receive a Financial Reward?
The federal FCA and Texas’ FCA both allow whistleblowers to receive compensation for reporting fraud when the information they disclose leads to the recovery of defrauded funds. The federal FCA rewards whistleblowers between 15-30 percent of the money recovered by the government, and Texas’ FCA allows whistleblowers to receive up to 30 percent of the recovered funds in a successful qui tam case.
With millions lost via fraud every day, this means you could be significantly rewarded for reporting fraud.
How Can a San Antonio Whistleblower Lawyer Help?
When filing a whistleblower case, you are bringing a lawsuit against the fraudster on behalf of the federal or state government. This type of case is known as a qui tam case, and the whistleblower is known as a qui tam relator.
These cases can be quite complex, and whistleblowers are require to retain a qualified lawyer to file. Whether it be examining the evidence in the case to make sure it was legally obtained, or filing all appropriate paperwork ahead of deadlines, a whistleblower lawyer will know how to expertly navigate the murky waters of qui tam law on your behalf.
Contact a San Antonio Whistleblower Attorney
At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we have handled many qui tam cases from all over the country. We are proud of our work and our legal team’s willingness to fight against fraud and get our clients the protection they need and the financial rewards they deserve.
If you would like to join the fight against fraud, contact Tycko & Zavareei LLP today to see how we can help you. Let a San Antonio whistleblower lawyer help you.
