Contact Nashville Whistleblower Attorney Timothy L. Milles Today if You Are Thinking of Blowing the Whistle
introduction to the False Claims Act
TheeFalse Claims Act (FCA), also known as the Lincoln Law, is a powerful legal instrument that empowers private citizens to take action against individuals or entities that defraud the federal government. This Act imposes liability on those who seek to procure unwarranted funds from government programs through fraudulent means. The FCA allows private citizens, known as "relators," to file a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the government in a federal district court. These lawsuits are initially filed under seal, meaning they remain confidential while the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies investigate the allegations. Once the investigation is complete, the case may be unsealed, and the relator's identity can become public. However, during the initial stages, the relator's anonymity is protected, allowing them to come forward without fear of retaliation.
In this guide, a Nashville Whistleblower attorney answers to six frequently asked questions about the False Claims Action and the qui tam provisions. If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can guide you through the whistleblower process and explain your whistleblower protections. The consultation is free and confidential. Just complete the form below to get started or call (855) Tim-M-Law. Ask a Nashville Whistleblower attorney, you could be entitled to a significant whistleblower award. What EXACTLY is the False Claims Act?
The False Claims Act, also known as the qui tam law, is the oldest legislation of its kind in the United States. Initially established in 1863, it has undergone amendments in 1943 and 1986, with further enhancements in 2009 and 2010. Since its modernization in 1986, this law has proven to be highly successful in combating fraud, making it the most effective antifraud legislation in the country.
What is the Literal Definition of "qui tam"?
Qui tam, in literal terms, refers to the act of suing on behalf of the king. Under the False Claims Act, qui tam empowers individuals and organizations with evidence of fraudulent activities against federal programs or contracts to take legal action against the wrongdoer on behalf of the United States Government.
In qui tam cases, the government has the authority to intervene and participate in the lawsuit. If the government chooses not to get involved, the private plaintiff can pursue the case independently. Certain states have enacted comparable legislation to address fraud in contracts involving state governments. Who can bring a qui tam action?
If individuals or organizations have proof of fraud committed against federal programs or contracts, they have the option to file a qui tam lawsuit. However, if the government or a private party has already initiated a False Claims Act lawsuit using the same evidence, you are not permitted to file a lawsuit yourself.
WHAT CIVIL PENALTIES FALL UNDER THE FALSE CLAMS ACT?
Violators of the False Claims Act can be held responsible for triple the amount of money defrauded from the government, along with civil penalties ranging from $10,781 to $21,563 for each fraudulent claim. A qui tam plaintiff has the potential to receive a percentage between 15 and 30 of the total amount recovered from the defendant, whether through a favorable judgment or a settlement. In order to be eligible for monetary recovery under the Act, it is necessary to file a qui tam lawsuit. Simply reporting the violation to the government is not sufficient.
An award is only granted if the government successfully recovers funds from the defendant as a direct outcome of your lawsuit. wHAT IS THE STATute OF LIMITATIONS FOR FILING A QUI TAM LAWSUIT?
According to the False Claims Act, there are two time periods within which an action must be filed. The first is six years from the date of the violation of the Act. The second is three years after the government becomes aware or should have become aware of the violation, but in no case longer than ten years after the violation occurred. It is worth noting that one Circuit Court has interpreted the second provision as requiring that the action be filed no later than three years after the qui tam plaintiff, rather than when the government becomes aware or should have become aware of the violation.
What about State False Claims Acts?
As a result of the federal False Claims Act's effectiveness, 31 states have implemented their own versions of the Act, such as Tennessee, California, and Virginia. Numerous state False Claims Act statutes allow whistleblowers to receive a "finders' fee" for exposing fraud in state, local, and municipal contracts.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BLOWING THE WHISTLE, CONTACT NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY TIMOTHY L. MILES TODAY
If you have knowledge of fraud against or by the federal government, contact Nashville whistleblower attorney Timothy L. Miles who can guide you through the whistleblower process and explain your whistleblower protections. The consultation is free and confidential. (855) 846–6529 or email: [email protected]. Ask a Whistleblower attorney in Nashville, you could be entitled to a significant whistleblower award.
Call today and see what a whistleblower attorney in Nashville can do for you.
NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY
TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ. The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center 300 Centerview Dr., #247 Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: (855) 846–6529 Email: [email protected] NASHVILLE WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEY TIMOTHY L. MILES Nashville attorney Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles has dedicated his career to representing shareholders, employees, and consumers in complex class-action litigation. Whether serving as lead, co-lead, or liaison counsel, Mr. Miles has helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars for defrauded investors, shaped precedent-setting decisions, and delivered real corporate governance reforms. Judges and peers have repeatedly recognized Mr. Miles’ relentless advocacy for the underdog, as well as his unbendable ethical standards. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association,Class Action: Class Action: Top National Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association (2023), a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019); a Top Rated Litigator by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM (2019-2022); America’s Most Honored Lawyers 2020 – Top 1% by America’s Most Honored (2020-2022). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more. Please visit our website or call for free anytime. Comments are closed.
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