Each year, the United States government loses hundreds of billions of dollars due to fraud. The False Claims Act (“FCA”) was enacted to reclaim some of these funds. The FCA allows private individuals to sue for certain violations on behalf of the government. The government frequently takes lead on these cases and can recover tens of millions in single cases. If a person’s lawsuit is successful, he or she may be entitled to significant financial compensation. In this article, we examine the background of the act. If you have additional questions, please contact us for assistance.
The False Claims Act
As noted above, the FCA allows individuals to report fraud against the U.S. government. Individuals who report fraud are known as “whistleblowers.” Successful whistleblowers may be entitled to significant financial compensation in exchange for the information they provide.
Types of Violations
All of the following are violations:
- Using fraudulent records to obtain funds from the federal government
- Colluding with another person to obtain funds from the federal government for a false claim
- Requesting funds from the federal government for a false claim
- Failing to pay a financial obligation to the government
Penalties
Anyone who knowingly submits a fraudulent claim or causes another person to submit a false claim to the federal government faces a penalty of up to $11,000 plus three times the amount of damages incurred by the federal government.
Financial Compensation
If you file a successful qui tam, you may be entitled to up to 30% of the amount recovered by the government. In addition, you may be able to recoup legal fees and case expenses.
False Claims Act Whistleblower Protection
As noted above, the FCA protects whistleblowers against retaliation. If you report information about your employer and your employer retaliates against you for doing so, you may be entitled to the following:
- Double backpay
- Future lost earnings
- Special damages
- Compensation for case costs and legal fees
How to File a Claim
If you have information to report to the government under the FCA, you should act as soon as possible. However, to give yourself the best chance at a successful claim, you must contact an attorney for assistance.
Georgia False Claims Act Lawyer
At Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson, we are well-known for our False Claims Act knowledge and experience. Our experienced False Claims Act attorneys have prosecuted and defended many FCA cases throughout the Southeast—cases that resulted in excess of $100 million in settlements and judgments. Our experience is broad: we have represented the United States, companies, whistleblowers, and individuals in cases involving allegations of fraud against the government. Please contact us today for a consultation.