Washington Qui Tam Whistleblower Lawyers

What Is Qui Tam Litigation?

If the phrase "qui tam" sounds unfamiliar to you, it’s no wonder. "Qui tam" is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase meaning "he who sues for the king and for himself." Briefly stated, qui tam litigation is brought under the United States False Claims Act, and allows an individual "whistleblower" who knows of current or past fraud against the United States government to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States. The whistleblower receives a percentage of the recovery in return for pursuing the case.

In qui tam cases, the private citizen bringing the case is known as the "relator." They need not be personally harmed by the fraud, but must have information about the defendant’s conduct and be able to prove that the defendants knowingly submitted, or caused false claims for money to be submitted, to the United States. Frequently, qui tam litigation is brought in response to fraud that concerns Medicare, but it can also be brought in response to fraud by defense contractors, scientists (grant fraud), government suppliers, and even local governments.

Qui tam relators whose claims are proven are given special incentives by the False Claims Act, which provides the relator with between 15 and 30 percent of the award or settlement the United States recovers in a qui tam fraud case. The government has the option to take over a qui tam case once it is filed, but if they do not and the relator decides to continue with the case, the relator is responsible for all legal fees. (Most attorneys are willing to take such cases on a contingency fee basis under which they only are paid if the case is successful.) Though a relator may file without legal representation, qui tam actions are extremely complex legal proceedings, and legal advice is recommended. They are filed under seal, which presents its own set of procedures and issues, and must include substantially all the material information known to the relator. Organizing this information in a way that will catch the attention of the government usually requires excellent communication skills. Serving the lawsuit correctly, and doing so rapidly are also necessary for the successful pursuit of qui tam cases. Finally, retaliation against qui tam relators is illegal under United States whistleblower laws.

Since qui tam proceedings are so complicated and very specific timeframes apply, it is not advised that you file a qui tam case without the help of an experienced Washington qui tam lawyer. The highly experienced legal team at Teller " Associates can advise you on your legal rights, tell you whether you have a valid qui tam or False Claims Act case, and represent your interests in court and with the government. Americans expect a lot of their government. Its out duty to support it as well in the right circumstances. Don’t settle for allowing fraudulent behavior ­ take action. Call Teller & Associates today for a free phone consultation.