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What is a Qui Tam lawsuit?

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The False Claims Act is a law which imposes liability on any person or company that seeks to defraud the U.S government. Under the Act, there is a provision known as Qui Tam, which is one of the most recognized whistleblowing laws in the world. It enables any person who has knowledge that a corporation or a person is defrauding the government to blow the whistle and enjoy protection.

Qui Tam lawsuits are a common feature on the corridors of justice, but surprisingly the public is largely unaware of what they entail. A study by National Law Review shows 65% of whistleblowers do not understand they have protection under the False Claims Act.

Background to Qui Tam

In order to take advantage of Qui Tam, it is imperative to get deeper insight on the writ. The term originates from Medieval Europe and loosely translates to “one who sues on behalf of the king as well as for himself.” This protection for whistleblowers has helped stop many cases of fraud in major programs such as Medicare and defense contracts, among others.

A Qui Tam lawsuit will apply if you know about someone or a company that has knowingly presented fraudulent pay claims, used false records to access a federal benefit, or knowingly used a false document to avoid, conceal or reduce obligation to pay money to the federal government.

The Federal Claims Act under which Qui Tam lawsuits fall rewards the whistle blower while also guaranteeing job protection. If you have evidence of fraud in any federal program, you need to hire a reliable whistleblower attorney who will help file your case. The government will also evaluate the case and decide whether to join the case or not.

Whatever the decision of the government you can still continue as a private plaintiff. Your whistleblower attorney comes in handy because they have the expertise and experience in handling these lawsuits. The whistle blower is entitled to 15 to 25% of recovered federal funds and you will also enjoy protection against victimization by your employer.

Federal funds are meant to benefit everyone in society. If you are aware of a situation where such funds are being misused or lost, it is time to capitalize on the protection and financial benefits offered by Federal whistleblower law.

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