Whistleblower Suits (Qui Tam) Attorneys
Representing clients in Texas and throughout the United States
If you know of individuals or businesses that have cheated a federal or state government agency, the law will reward you for coming forward with your information. The law also will protect you from being fired for doing so.
Whistleblower suits also are known as “qui tam” suits, which means “he who pursues an action on the king’s behalf as well as his own.” Thus, whistleblowers ― formally known as relators ― literally bring a case on behalf of the government and themselves. If the case is successful, the relator typically receives between 15% and 30% of the recovery for coming forward.
Most qui tam cases fall into one of the following five categories:
- Mischarge. A mischarge case occurs when a government agency is billed for goods or services that were not delivered and/or over billed for goods or services that were delivered.
- Fraud in the inducement or false negotiation. These cases arise when false statements are made or illegal actions taken when bidding on or negotiating contracts with government agencies. Common examples include bid rigging and kickbacks.
- False certification. A false certification case occurs when a defrauding party secures government program benefits (for example, farm subsidies or loan guarantees) by making false statements attesting to the party’s eligibility for such benefits.
- Substandard Product or Service. This type of case occurs when a supplier of goods or services provides a substitute of inferior quality than that called for in a contract.
- Reverse False Claim. A reverse false claim occurs when a party uses a false record to reduce its financial obligation to a government agency (for example, reductions of fines, penalties or royalties from natural resources extracted from government lands).
Although qui tam suits may arise out of any number of business dealings with a government agency, they most often arise in situations involving Medicare, Medicaid and defense contracts.
In qui tam cases, you need a lawyer experienced in dealing with the United States Department of Justice and state attorneys general. If you know of a potential qui tam lawsuit, contact The Coffman Law Firm today for your initial consultation.
“Providing clear vision in legal matters.”
505 Orleans St., Suite 505
Beaumont, Texas 77701
