Have Questions About The False Claims Act And Qui Tam?
The government does not want to see taxpayer money being abused or misappropriated. It is for this reason that claims can be made by private citizens alleging abuses by government agencies or government contractors. Read our False Claims Act/Qui Tam FAQ page.
At Akeel & Valentine, PLC, we work hard for clients. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling False Claims Act and qui tam cases in federal court. Whether you are in the Detroit area or are in another area of Michigan, we can help you understand your rights and how our firm may help you see that justice is done.
For a consultation with an experienced whistleblower lawyer, call us at 248-918-4542. We serve clients throughout the country from our offices in Michigan.
The False Claims Act
The False Claims Act is a federal law that allows citizens who are not affiliated with the government to file accusatory claims against federal contractors who are allegedly committing fraud against the government. This is a type of whistleblower case that is against government contractors instead of an employee making claims against his or her employer.
The act was first passed during the Civil War after corrupt 19th-century defense contractors overbilled or provided defective materials, such as rotten Army rations or faulty weapons. Claims filed under the act today typically involve the following:
- Research and grant procurement fraud (in university and academic settings or in for-profit companies)
- Health care fraud
- Pharmaceutical fraud
- Medicare fraud
- Contractor fraud
- Military and other government spending programs
For each of these claims, we would be vigilant in conducting a thorough investigation for you to assess the merits of your claim and advise you of your rights under the act. We recognize that pursuing such a claim can have an incredible emotional and physical toll on you and your family. For that reason, we methodically investigate the facts before we pursue a lawsuit on your behalf to bring justice for you and the taxpayer. Whistleblowers tend to be very principled and of strong character leading them to pursue the act of bravery in exposing fraud. This is the principal reason why we believe it is an honor to represent such individuals as yourself when advising us of such a claim.
Qui Tam
Also closely related to whistleblower actions, qui tam is a provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act. The result of claims made under the False Claims Act, qui tam details that the citizen may share in the funds that are recovered by the government.
The share of funds can range from 15 to 25 percent of the amount recovered. This provision is called the “qui tam” provision, which is short for the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” meaning “he who brings a case on behalf of our lord the king as well as for himself.”
Let our skilled attorneys help you understand the False Claims Act, qui tam and how your claims may fall under these laws.
Contact Us For A Consultation
Contact us today for information about how our firm handles False Claims Act, qui tam and whistleblower cases. We are committed to standing up for our clients’ rights and helping them hold government contractors and entities responsible for their actions. Our office also handles other employment law matters, such as retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment.