Laws that allow private citizens to file legal actions on behalf of the government have existed in various forms for centuries. In the United States, the False Claims Act has been used in this way since the Civil War as a tool for penalizing fraud in governmental procurement programs. The False Claims Act contains a so-called “qui tam” provision that authorizes private whistleblowers to sue federal contractors who make false claims for compensation to the federal government. Whistleblowers – also called qui tam relators – generally can receive up to 30 percent of any money recovered, plus reimbursement for all reasonable legal costs and expenses.
Burg Simpson is nationally recognized for its expertise in litigating cases arising out of the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act attorneys at our firm have a distinguished track record of rooting out and punishing fraud perpetrated against the United States government through the whistleblower complaint process. Our motto – “Good Lawyers. Changing Lives®” – encapsulates our dedication to zealously representing plaintiffs across a wide range of complex legal matters. All of the False Claims Act attorneys at Burg Simpson are seasoned litigators who understand the delicate balance that must be struck in qui tam cases between exposing fraud and protecting whistleblower privacy.
The False Claims Act Explained
Enacted during the Lincoln Administration and still sometimes referred to as the “Lincoln Law,” the False Claims Act is a federal statute that is used to target fraud in government contracting. It is arguably the most effective anti-fraud statute in the United States and has allowed the federal government to recover tens of billions of taxpayer dollars over the course of the last several decades.
A vital feature of the False Claims Act is a qui tam provision that allows anyone with evidence of fraud against the U.S. government to file a lawsuit in federal court. A qui tam whistleblower is most often a federal contractor employee who has inside information about a fraud that is being perpetrated. Attorneys who handle False Claims Act cases file qui tam actions on behalf of whistleblowers and are well-versed in how to navigate the process from start to finish. It is important to remember that the False Claims Act explicitly requires that a whistleblower be represented by legal counsel at all stages of the process.
The whistleblower, or relator, in a qui tam action under the False Claims Act can potentially be awarded a significant amount of money. Factors that can influence the size of a qui tam award include the specificity of the information provided, whether the fraud involves a significant public safety issue, and whether the federal government decided to join the lawsuit.
The most common types of cases that False Claims Act attorneys handle are qui tam actions that expose illegal kickback schemes, fraudulent healthcare billing practices, defense contractor fraud, GSA contractor fraud, and the unlawful marketing of pharmaceuticals.
Why Hire Burg Simpson?
The False Claims Act attorneys at Burg Simpson are widely recognized for their ability to successfully help clients “blow the whistle” on fraudulent activity. We are highly adept at building strong qui tam cases and aggressively pursuing the monetary awards that our clients are owed under federal law. Burg Simpson always prioritizes the privacy of each qui tam client and consistently provides effective, confidential counsel with regard to False Claims Act cases.
Schedule a FREE Personal Consultation Today
Do you possess non-public information that fraud is being perpetrated against the United States government? If so, you could be entitled to a significant monetary award as a qui tam whistleblower.
You are encouraged to schedule a free consultation with one of the False Claims Act attorneys at Burg Simpson – an award-winning law firm that can potentially help you navigate the qui tam process. Set up a FREE consultation via our online form or call us at (888) 895-2080 to get started building your case.
