If you don’t win, we don’t get paid: 855-913-1134
A qui tam lawsuit allows a qualifying private person, called a relator, to bring a false-claims case on the government’s behalf. These cases generally concern knowingly false claims involving government money or property. An eligible relator may receive a share of a recovery, subject to legal requirements and limitations.
The federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. sections 3729–3733, addresses qualifying fraud involving federal funds. California’s False Claims Act, Government Code sections 12650–12656, provides a separate framework for qualifying claims involving state or local government funds.
A workplace complaint, billing error, or private business dispute does not automatically qualify. The funding, alleged conduct, available evidence, and statutory requirements matter.
The federal False Claims Act separately prohibits retaliation against employees, contractors, and agents for qualifying lawful efforts to pursue or stop violations. A retaliation claim and eligibility for a qui tam recovery involve different requirements.
Identify the suspected false claims, government program, dates, and people involved. Preserve only records you are lawfully entitled to keep. Legal guidance can help you understand filing and confidentiality obligations before taking further steps.
Legal sources: U.S. Department of Justice: False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. Section 3730: Qui Tam Procedures and Retaliation Protections, and California Attorney General: False Claims Unit.
Have information about suspected false claims involving government funds? Matern Law Group can review your circumstances and explain your legal options.
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.
Qui tam is a provision in the False Claims Act that allows private individuals, often called “whistleblowers,” to sue on behalf of the government if they have evidence that someone or a company is defrauding the government. The whistleblower can potentially receive a portion of any money recovered through the lawsuit as a reward for their role in uncovering the fraud.
For consumers and employees, qui tam actions provide a way to fight against unethical practices and protect public funds. If you’re aware of fraud against the government, you can take legal action, even if you’re not directly harmed by the fraud. This can include things like overcharging for government services, billing for services not provided, or any other actions that improperly take money from government programs.
Legal repercussions for engaging in qui tam actions can vary:
In summary, qui tam actions empower individuals to act as watchdogs on behalf of the government to expose and deter fraud, with financial incentives for whistleblowers and strict penalties for those found guilty of fraud.
A qui tam lawsuit, which is a way to report fraud against the government, you need to be the first one to bring the information forward—it can’t be something already known by the public or something you heard from someone else. Before officially filing your lawsuit, you must secretly share this information with the government.
This gives them a chance to look into your claims without anyone else knowing. After the government checks out your story, they’ll decide if they want to join your lawsuit. If they do, they’ll help lead the charge; if not, you and your lawyer can move forward on your own.
Filing this type of lawsuit is tricky and can come with challenges, like possible backlash, legal battles against you, or damage to your reputation. That’s why it’s crucial to have our qui tam lawyers who know the ropes and can protect you along the way.
Generally, you have six years from when the fraud happened (or should have been noticed) to file a qui tam lawsuit. But if you’re dealing with workplace issues like harassment or being unfairly fired, you have much less time to take legal action. This is why acting quickly and getting a lawyer who specializes in these cases is very important.
If you think a company is cheating the government and you have evidence, reaching out for a free chat with our lawyers who are skilled in whistleblower cases is a good step. We can help you understand what you’re up against and what you can do about it.
Our Practices are Guided by Integrity. We’ll protect what you deserve.
We work tirelessly and fight tenaciously to hold rights abusers accountable.
If you’ve experienced a distressing incident related to an issue like this, call us for a free case evaluation.
Legal cases can be lengthy, complicated, and confusing, but you don’t have to take on the system all by yourself. If you believe someone has violated your individual rights, or the rights of a large group of people in your community, we can help you find the right course of action.
"*" indicates required fields
