CALIFORNIA FALSE CLAIMS LAWYERS

At Matern Law Group, we are committed to protecting the rights of employees and consumers, including the right to report illegal or unethical activity without fear of retaliation or intimidation.

The California False Claims Act lets people report and sue on behalf of California if someone cheats the state or local governments out of taxpayer money, covering a wide range of frauds, including health care and government contracts.

What is the False Claims Act (FCA)?

California’s False Claims Act is a law designed to combat fraud against the government. Here’s a breakdown of what it means for the general public:

1. Purpose of the Act: The main goal is to stop people or companies from wrongly taking money from the government. This includes any kind of cheating, like overcharging for services, billing for things that were never delivered, or any other way someone might dishonestly get government funds.
2. Whistleblower Role: This law gives power to everyday people — called whistleblowers — to act as watchdogs. If you know about someone defrauding the government, you can report it. This is not just about being a good citizen; whistleblowers can actually sue the fraudsters on behalf of the state.
3. Rewards for Reporting: To encourage people to come forward with information, the law offers a portion of any money recovered to the whistleblower. This means if you report fraud and the government gets money back because of your information, you could get a financial reward.
4. Wide Scope: The California False Claims Act covers a broad range of fraud. This isn’t just about big health care fraud or defense contractor issues; it includes any situation where someone tries to take government money dishonestly. It could be a local business overcharging a state department for supplies, or a contractor not doing the work they were paid to do by a city.
5. Protection for Whistleblowers: The law also protects whistleblowers from retaliation. If you report fraud and your employer fires you, demotes you, or treats you badly because of it, the law offers ways to protect you and potentially get compensation for that mistreatment.

In essence, the California False Claims Act is a tool for both preventing fraud against government funds and encouraging honest citizens to speak up without fear of retaliation. It’s about keeping the system honest and ensuring taxpayer money is used properly.

Filing a False Claims Lawsuit