False Claims Act/Qui Tam Actions

Whistleblowers, called relators under the False Claims Act (FCA), may file complaints alleging violations of the FCA under seal with the Department of Justice. FCA lawsuits initiated by relators are known as qui tam actions and, if successful, a relator is entitled to share in a portion of the government’s recovery from those lawsuits. Where the Government intervenes in a relator’s case and takes over the litigation, the whistleblower is entitled to between 15 and 25 percent of the Government’s recovery. On the other hand, if the Government declines to intervene, a whistleblower may still litigate the action on the Government’s behalf. In those matters, known as declined or non-intervened cases, relators are eligible for 25 to 30 percent of any recovery made. 

Lawsuits brought by both the Government and whistleblowers alike assert a variety of theories for relief under the False Claims Act, including: 

• Healthcare fraud, pharmaceutical fraud, and medical device fraud 
• Violations of cybersecurity requirements 
• Government contract fraud 
• Fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs 
• Procurement fraud and grant fraud 
• Tariff and customs evasion 
• Bid rigging, price-fixing, and market allocation 
• Violations of civil rights statutes 

To learn more about filing a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act, please see the following resources offered by our firm:

• What is the False Claims Act?
• Am I Eligible for a Whistleblower Reward under the False Claims Act?
• What Legal Protections Does the False Claims Act Provide Whistleblowers?

If you are considering reporting information to the Government, please fill out our online form for a free confidential consultation with a whistleblower attorney.

For information on other whistleblower programs, visit:

• SEC & CFTC Whistleblower Programs
• IRS Whistleblower Claims
• Auto Safety (NHTSA) Whistleblower Program
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Kleptocracy Whistleblower Rewards Programs