A qui tam lawsuit is another term for a specific kind of prosecution under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act allows anybody who is aware of fraud perpetrated against the government to file a lawsuit on the government’s behalf and to reap a financial reward if their case is successful. Filing a qui tam lawsuit is a courageous act on behalf of the country, and those who take these actions are to be commended. They are also eligible for generous compensation depending upon the extent of the fraud that has been committed. If you are aware of a false claim that has been made against the government and are considering filing a qui tam lawsuit, you need to have legal representation from an attorney with a good understanding and extensive experience with the process. For a qui tam lawyer in Philadelphia, contact the attorneys of Bochetto & Lentz. They have successfully pursued qui tam cases for many clients in the past, and can help you as well.
Those who report false claims against the government are known as whistleblowers, or by the legal term “relator”. A relator is eligible to receive between 15 and 30 percent of the amount that the government recovers as a result of a winning lawsuit, though this amount varies based upon a number of different variables, including whether the government decides to act for itself based upon the information that you provide or whether you have to pursue the case on your own. This determination is often based upon the crime itself and the value of the information that you initially provide.
In most cases a whistleblower is an employee or former employee of the company that is committing the fraud, but this is not always the case. In some instances it can be a competitor, a customer, a patient of a health care facility or provider, or a supplier. Even relatives of any of these people can relate information that leads to a lawsuit.
Cases need to be prepared and presented under seal to the government, which then conducts a thorough investigation of the charges. The more evidence is provided and the more compelling the information is, the higher the likelihood that the government will accept the case and choose to pursue it on their own. The identity of the whistleblower is kept confidential during the course of the government’s investigation until the lawsuit becomes public. At all times the whistleblower is protected by law against retaliation by the accused party, and can be sued if they violate the defendant’s rights in this regard.
The key to the successful preparation of a qui tam lawsuit, as well as to securing your rights as a whistleblower, is in having an experienced qui tam lawyer in Philadelphia representing you throughout the process. Contact Bochetto & Lentz to set up a convenient confidential appointment to discuss your situation. We will help you at every step along the way.
Learn more about our Qui Tam Lawyer here – https://www.bochettoandlentz.com/practice-areas/qui-tam-false-claims-litigation/
