When you act as a whistleblower, and the information you provide to the federal government leads to some type of fraud enforcement action, you may be entitled to a monetary award. A qui tam lawsuit is a legal proceeding allowing you to formally notify the government that you seek compensation for your efforts.
Before you apply for an award on your own, you could benefit from meeting with a Columbia qui tam whistleblower lawyer. A dedicated whistleblower attorney could review the strength of your claim, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect along the way.
A qui tam lawsuit is a legal action in which private citizens can request rewards from the federal government after cooperating in a fraud investigation. It is the primary path for whistleblowers to secure rewards after turning over evidence of wrongdoing to the authorities.
These suits are only successful under specific circumstances. A person must qualify individually for a reward and provide novel and helpful information. A Columbia qui tam whistleblower attorney could explain this process in more detail during an initial consultation.
While anyone can submit information regarding fraud to the government, only certain parties have the opportunity to file a qui tam claim. For example, a person involved in wrongdoing or fraud cannot profit from their contributions to a fraudulent scheme by recovering a whistleblower award.
Additionally, a person who is obligated to inform the government of fraud or misrepresentations is not eligible for a reward. This includes police officers and other members of law enforcement who are required to report evidence of criminal behavior.
Restrictions also apply to the nature of the information provided and the ultimate result of the enforcement action. First and foremost, a whistleblower’s tips must be new information to the government. A reward will not be available if the authorities have already received a tip regarding these details.
Additionally, the tip must result in a successful enforcement action that leads to a conviction. Without a successful outcome, a reward is not available. Even a conviction would not lead to compensation if no funds were recovered throughout the process.
The compensation available through a successful qui tam action can vary. It largely depends on the amount of recovery during the enforcement action. Typically, the investigation must lead to a conviction and the return of some fraudulently obtained funds.
The amount of the settlement in question comes in the form of a percentage of the amount recovered by the government. Under the False Claims Act, this varies between 15 and 25 percent of the funds recouped as part of the investigation. For more information, speak with a qui tam whistleblower lawyer in Columbia.
If you have information regarding the fraudulent use of government funds, now is the time to seek guidance from a seasoned legal professional. During a private consultation, you can get answers to your questions from a Columbia qui tam whistleblower lawyer. Call today to learn more.
