Whistleblower Law Firm Specialize In Handling Everything From "Lincoln’s Law" To “Qui Tam”

Professional Liability Insurance
How To Include Professional Liability Insurance In Your Employment Contract

Since the revitalization of the False Claims act in 1986, several law firms peppered throughout the United States have become specialist in handling qui tam laws. These laws, dating originally to the American Civil War, are also sometimes known as Lincoln's Law after the Late President Abraham Lincoln, who was responsible for their first enactment. Under the terms of the strengthened qui tam laws, parties who gain specific knowledge of frauds being enacted against federal bodies, can bring a lawsuit of the government, and if the case is successful, are entitled to claim a reward of up to 30% of the moneys recovered.

Also known as the Informer's Act, the law also protects qui tam plaintiffs who are "demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment" for acts done in furtherance of filing a claim under the Act. This provision allows reinstatement, double back pay, interest on the back pay, plus special damages including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.

More than 2,400 qui tam suits have been filed since 1986, when the statute was strengthened to make it easier and more rewarding for private citizens to sue. The government has recovered over $2 billion as a result of the suits, of which almost $340 million has been paid to whistleblowers as rewards for their worthy and, as it transpires, profitable deed.

In order to present the claim and protect their interests, both in their workplace and in receiving any reward money that may be payable, whistleblowers will be well advised to engage the services of one of the legal practices, who specialize in handling qui tam cases, as the laws are complicated.

For example, contrary to most other lawsuits that filed, in the instance of the False Claims Act, the complaint must be served on the government and not on the defendant until ordered by the court. The attorney appointed by the whistleblower is obliged to honor the highest standards of confidentiality as failure to follow these requirements will probably result in the action being dismissed until a thorough government investigation of the case can be completed.

Once the government has completed their investigation, they can decide to allow the whistleblower and his appointed attorney to retain the right to continue with the case, or decide whether they (the government) will intervene, and charge the suspected fraudster with whatever charges are relevant. In either event, the whistleblower is entitled to a percentage of any money recovered. However statistics show that when the government does intervene, for some reason, the percentage of money recovered is much lower as when not, and the rewards for the whistleblower and their attorney also plummet considerably.

Many of the people, who have fallen upon information that displays a suspicion of fraud, are either afraid or unsure how to go about taking the next step to putting and end to this contemptible practice, especially when it comes to tax payers' money. They are usually unaware of the possibility of receiving a reward for their commendable actions. However, there are many law firms who now specialize in handling cases of this type, and be readily traced either through law associations or through the internet. Once contacted, a qui tam attorney will be help to follow all the applicable statutes and recover any compensation due.