WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEYS
We help whistleblowers tell their side of the story
A whistleblower is often at the heart of stories that expose fraud, wrongdoing, or cheating. We believe in making things right, bringing justice to companies that defraud the government and taxpayers, and protecting and securing rewards for whistleblowers. In 2023 alone, whistleblowers helped the government recover $2.68 Billion. For their courage and assistance, a whistleblower can be awarded 15% to 30% of the amount recovered in their case.
Our Team
Clients contact our whistleblower attorney team because they want to stop wrongdoing such as Medicare fraud, overbilling, false claims, ponzi schemes, corporate fraud, tax evasion, investor deception, price fixing, kickbacks, bribery, off label promotion, and laboratory fraud.
When a whistleblower files suit (a “qui tam action”), the lawsuit remains a secret. It’s kept under seal until the government can perform an investigation. Whistleblowers can be entitled to monetary rewards because they expose wrongdoing, aid an investigation, and should be compensated for their role in recovering illicitly obtained funds.
Our clients rely on us to navigate complex state and federal whistleblower laws and work hand in hand with the government. We have experience with the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Stark Law, and we can help clients take advantage of fraud-fighting programs by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Five Signs That You Should Contact A Whistleblower Attorney
- You think your employer is engaging in Medicare fraud.
- It seems like your employer is getting a kickback for referrals or contracts.
- Your government contractor is overcharging the government for products or services.
- There’s something suspicious about the way your employer is coding for medical services or medical devices on invoices.
- After you raised concerns about any of these fraudulent practices, your employer retaliated against you.
In 2023, the Government recovered nearly two billion dollars of fraudulently obtained federal funds in the medical field. Employees of healthcare companies often have insight to these illegal practices and can seek legal help to report the activity.
WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEYS
Filing a complaint against a company that is defrauding the government can be an agonizing decision. It is imperative that you speak to experienced whistleblower attorneys such as those at Price Armstrong – you need a zealous advocate who will protect you throughout the duration of the case.
At Price Armstrong, our qui tam lawyers have prosecuted False Claims actions across the country and have the experience and resources to help whistleblowers on their quest for justice. We know your story is important, and we fight aggressively to represent you. Contact us today to set up a free, confidential consultation and review of your case.
FALSE CLAIMS ACT
The False Claims Act is the government’s strongest tool to fight the fraud which costs taxpayers billions of dollars a year. This federal law was created during the Civil War, and referred to as the “Lincoln Law,” to incentivize private citizens that know of government fraud to bring these claims to light. Since its inception, the False Claims Act has contained a “qui tam” provision which allows individuals to bring lawsuits to remedy government fraud on the government’s behalf. In the 1980’s, the government reaffirmed the importance of whistleblowers and Congress passed amendments ensuring that whistleblowers are compensated for their role in exposing government fraud through an award of 15 percent to 30 percent of the government’s recovery. Since the amendments to the False Claims Act in the 1980’s, nearly 10,000 qui tam actions have been filed by whistleblowers, and more than $50 billion in settlements and fines have been recovered.
PROTECTION AND REWARDS FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS
Whistleblowers are employees or individuals who disclose information about illegal actions, fraud, abuse of power, mismanagement, waste, general wrongdoing and substantial danger to public health and safety.
Whistleblowers are crucial to the health, safety and financial well-being of the public. When a whistleblower brings to light fraudulent activity against the government, the public interest is served. The whistleblower should not be made to suffer for doing the right thing in the form of career damage, job loss and financial losses.
The False Claims Act ensures that any whistleblower who brings claims exposing government fraud is protected. The Anti-Retaliation provision in the False Claims Act establishes that an employee, contractor, agent, or any other type of whistleblower which is employed by the company at issue cannot be retaliated against, or threatened for retaliation, for their actions. Retaliation could take the form of harassment, dismissal, demotion or disciplinary measures. Harassment could also include such behaviors as failing to renew the contract of a whistleblower, withdrawing certain privileges (such as access to training), or the loss of responsibilities (marginalization). The False Claims Act establishes that where such retaliation occurs the whistleblower is entitled to “all relief necessary” to make them whole, including reinstatement to the prior position, two times back pay plus interests, and compensation for any special damages, including the cost of litigation and attorney’s fees.
At Price Armstrong, we recognize that fear of retaliation is a paramount concern among whistleblowers, many of whom are still employed by the company that is committing fraud against the government. We work hard to make full use of the protections afforded whistleblowers under the False Claims Act to ensure that our clients receive the recovery they are entitled to and which recognizes their service to taxpayers, and to ensure that no employer can undermine the False Claims Act through retaliation.
HOW WE REPRESENT YOU
If you have discovered fraud or wrongdoings by your employer or a competitor, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Price Armstrong has extensive experience litigating the different types of whistleblower cases, helping maximize the recovery for the whistleblower and for the government, and ensuring that our client’s interests are protected at all times. If you are a whistleblower, or are thinking about blowing the whistle on illegal, fraudulent behavior, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced qui tam lawyer. Call us today for a free initial consultation. Every consultation we provide is entirely confidential.
We can help you review your legal options and protect you as you take this important stand against fraudulent and illegal activity. And, if we file your case, we work on a contingency basis and advance all costs, meaning that our clients do not pay anything unless their whistleblower case is successful.
WHISTLEBLOWER & QUI TAM FAQS
If you have specific information about a violation of the False Claims Act or government fraud, then you may bring a qui tam action, unless you are a current or former member of the Armed Forces or convicted of criminal misconduct involving the same misconduct. Even if you are a participant in the fraud, you are allowed to be a whistleblower. In fact, many whistleblower cases are brought by employees or contractors who discover fraud in the course of their employment.
If you unknowingly participated in the fraud, or were coerced by your employer to participate, your whistleblower case and potential compensation will not be impacted. If you knowingly participated in the fraud, consequences and potential earnings will be based on the level of your participation. Do not let your level of participation in the fraudulent activities stop you from contacting a lawyer – your case will remain sealed and confidential.
Qui tam plaintiffs receive a percentage of the recovery in the qui tam action. This is usually between 15% and 25% if the government intervenes in the matter. If the government does not intervene, then plaintiffs may receive up to 30% of any recovery. Part of the role of your qui tam attorney should be to advocate for an appropriate compensation for any whistleblower.
A qui tam action is filed in the United States District Court off of the public record. Your qui tam attorney will be able to help you file your complaint and protect your rights during this time.
Under the False Claims Act, every qui tam lawsuit is initially filed “under seal” in federal court. This means that the identity of the whistleblower is protected from public disclosure for a period of time to allow the government to investigate the conduct alleged. If you file a qui tam case, this investigation period is crucially and it is important to have attorneys who are experienced and equipped to work in concert with the government.
Yes, when you file your whistleblower lawsuit can be important, for at least two reasons. First, all claims under the False Claims Act are subject to a statute of limitations which can prevent recovery if a case is brought too late in some circumstances. Second, particularly for fraud that is widespread throughout a company, multiple cases may be filed by different whistleblowers. As the False Claims Act provides for the anonymity of whistleblowers to be protected during the investigation phase of qui tam cases, only the government may know of the extent of these filings. A “first to file” rule can apply which limits the role and recovery of any subsequent whistleblower who files after the first case.
Government contract fraud is more common than many believe. One of the primary examples of government contractor fraud comes from defense contractors. The U.S. spends hundreds of billions each year on our national defense. Some of the ways defense contractors attempt to perpetrate fraud on the federal government include:
- Inflating the charges and costs of items;
- Violating the Truth-in-Negotiations Act;
- Providing military items which fail to conform to the original contract;
- Improperly allocating costs;
- Improperly substituting products;
- Cross-charging;
- Price-fixing;
- Collusion and bid-rigging;
- Overcharging for materials, labor or supplies, and
- Falsifying information to convince the government to agree to a contract.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION
If you have discovered fraud or wrongdoings by your employer or a competitor, contact the attorneys at Price Armstrong. We can help you seek justice and protect your rights throughout the process. We represent clients nationwide. Call us today at (205) 208-9588 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. Let us fight for you – call now!
