Whistleblower Claims (Qui Tam)
If a person learns that his or her employer is defrauding the federal government, that individual may express some hesitation about reporting the illegal activity purely out of fear of the possible repercussions for his or her own career. People who provide information that exposes illegal activities by companies or individuals are referred to as “whistleblowers.”
The United States Department of Labor notes that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees who report violations of various laws. Whistleblowers can be entitled to a share of the damages collected by the government, and may be entitled to additional damages for any employer retaliation.
Lawyer for Whistleblower Claims (Qui Tam Lawsuits) in West Chester, PA
Do you think that your employer or another business is defrauding the federal government? You will want to immediately contact Ciccarelli Law Offices.
Our experienced whistleblower attorneys in West Chester represent clients in communities throughout Montgomery County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, Chester County, and the greater Philadelphia area. You can have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (610) 719-3190 to receive a free initial consultation.
Overview of Whistleblower Claims (Qui Tam Actions) in Chester County
- What is the False Claims Act?
- How much can whistleblowers be awarded in qui tam actions?
- Where can I find more information about whistleblower claims (qui tam) in West Chester?
Federal False Claims Act Cases in Pennsylvania
The False Claims Act (FCA) under 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 – 3733 imposes liability on persons and companies who defraud the federal government. The FCA also establishes the rights of parties to “qui tam” actions, with qui tam being an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which means, “he who sues in this matter for the king as well as for himself.”
Under 31 U.S. Code § 3729(a)(1), a person is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of at least $5,000 up to $10,000 plus three times the amount of damages which the government sustains because of the act of that person if he or she commits any of the following acts:
- knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;
- knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim;
- has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the Government and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property;
- is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true;
- knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the Government, or a member of the Armed Forces, who lawfully may not sell or pledge property;
- knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government; or
- conspires to commit any of the violations listed above.
31 U.S. Code § 3730(h)(1) provides that any employee, contractor, or agent is entitled to all relief necessary to make that him or her “whole,” if that person is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because of his or her lawful acts in furtherance of a qui tam action or other efforts to stop one or more violations of the FCA. Under 31 U.S. Code § 3730(h)(2), relief may include reinstatement with the same seniority status that employee, contractor, or agent would have had but for the discrimination, two times the amount of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
West Chester Qui Tam Actions and Damages
A whistleblower in an FCA cases may also be entitled to a financial reward if the qui tam lawsuit is successful. Rewards may be up to 30 percent but typically between 15 and 25 percent of the amount recovered.
When a person files a qui tam action, the government will typically pursue an FCA case when the acts involved constitute healthcare fraud, financial industry fraud, defense contractor fraud, grant fraud, tax fraud, or securities fraud. Some of the most common types of government fraud include, but are not limited to:
- Billing for unnecessary procedures;
- Bribery or kickbacks to secure government contracts;
- Double billing;
- Falsifying information;
- Improper cost reports;
- Medicare/Medicaid fraud;
- Misrepresentation in seeking a government contract;
- Overcharging;
- Phantom billing (billing for services never performed or products never delivered);
- Price fixing; and
- Selling defective products.
Pennsylvania Whistleblower Claims (Qui Tam) Resources
An Introduction to Whistleblower/Qui Tam Claims | Young Lawyers Division — The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) is the largest young lawyer organization in the world, with more than 150,000 members and 300 affiliated groups. View the full text of an ABA YLD article discussing whistleblower claims and qui tam actions. The article provides an overview of Federal and State False Claims Acts as well as tax fraud and securities fraud.
The False Claims Act (FCA) | Department of Justice (DOJ) — View the full text of the FCA, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 – 3733. You can also read a DOJ primer that explains “the most significant elements of the FCA to give one new to the statute an introductory understanding of the FCA and how it works.” Learn more about the knowledge requirement, definition of a claim, and qui tam provisions.
Find a Whistleblower Claims (Qui Tam) Attorney in West Chester, PA
If you think that you might have a possible whistleblower claim in southeastern Pennsylvania, you will want to make sure to retain legal counsel for help filing a qui tam action. Ciccarelli Law Offices assists whistleblowers in areas in and around Kennett Square, Philadelphia, Springfield, Malvern, King of Prussia, Plymouth Square, Lancaster, and Radnor.
Our West Chester whistleblower lawyers represent individuals on a contingency fee basis, so you pay our firm nothing unless you obtain a financial award. Call (610) 692-8700 or submit an online contact form to have our attorneys review your case and answer all of your legal questions during a free, no obligation consultation.
Contact Our PA Personal Injury Lawyers
We are a team of Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers our main offices located in West Chester, Chester County Pennsylvania and serving clients throughout the greater Philadelphia Metro Area including Lancaster County, Berks County, Bucks County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. If your family has been victimized by the negligence of another and you are seeking a free initial consult on you rights and possible claims, it is crucial you speak to an experienced Pennsylvania Injury lawyers in order to ensure your rights are protected and to review all of your legal options with you.
The Injury attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been injured in accidents. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients throughout Pennsylvania including but not limited to in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Lancaster, Media, Harrisburg, Reading, Philadelphia, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli. Contact us now at (610) 692-8700 or call toll free (877) 529-2422. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately.