Employment Law • Whistleblower-Qui Tam Claims • Criminal Defense
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What Is The False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act (FCA) is the federal government’s primary means to protect itself against fraud. It enables the government to prosecute individuals, businesses and contractors who attempt to exploit government programs for their own benefit.

Crucially, under its qui tam provision, the FCA offers safeguards to individuals who speak out against fraud — that is, whistleblowers. Namely, whistleblowers are able to file legal actions on the government’s behalf. If any financial damages are awarded as a result of the lawsuit, the whistleblower is typically granted a moderate portion of them.

If you have witnessed anyone engaging in deception of the government, the lawyers at The Garber Law Firm, P.C., can help you file a claim through the FCA. For more than 15 years, our firm has offered experienced, confidential counsel to individuals seeking to expose fraudulent practices while ensuring their own protection.

The Origins Of “Lincoln’s Law”

The False Claims Act came into being in 1863, during the middle of the American Civil War. The timing was no coincidence. The Union and Confederate armies alike were defrauded by a great number of their suppliers, paying exorbitant fees for useless horses, unreliable firearms and spoiled food. Given the timing of its ratification, the FCA is informally called “Lincoln’s Law.”

Today, defrauding the government can take many forms. Often enough, individuals may seek undeserved financial benefits by filing false Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security Disability claims. More frequently, however, frauds are perpetrated by large contractors whom the government has hired to support its initiatives. Military contractors and pharmaceutical companies stand among the most common offenders, as they seek to overcharge the government for services or submit invoices for jobs that were never done. Yet frauds occur across all sectors, from health care to housing, education to the IRS.

Over the last three decades, the government has recovered more than $40 billion in FCA cases. Roughly 70 percent of these cases were initially brought by individuals through qui tam claims. Whistleblowers, who typically collect between 15 and 25 percent of any recovery, have earned more than three billion dollars through these motions.

Legal Counsel To Support Your Qui Tam Claim

To learn more about how you can put a stop to fraud, reach out to our firm. You can call us at 678-383-9792 or arrange an appointment online. Initial consultations are always free, enabling us to inform you of your options before you are obliged to retain us.