A whistleblower law known as the False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to bring "qui tam" lawsuits — basically civil fraud lawsuits filed on behalf of the government — against companies and individuals that are cheating the government. Liable defendants in qui tam cases must pay the government for its losses and pay penalties for fraud.

A whistleblower who brings a successful qui tam case under the False Claims Act is entitled to a reward, which is based on the amount of money the government recovers. The False Claims Act benefits whistleblowers in other ways:

• Whistleblowers who bring qui tam lawsuits have some job protection.
• The government must investigate whistleblower allegations in a qui tam lawsuit.

Some of the types of fraud against the government that can be the basis of a qui tam lawsuit include Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud, customs fraud, bid-rigging on government projects, environmental fraud and research fraud.

states and the District of Columbia have laws similar to the federal False Claims Act. In those places, whistleblowers also can bring qui tam lawsuits against companies and individuals defrauding state and local governments and agencies.

This web site is intended to educate whistleblowers and the general public about the False Claims Act and qui tam lawsuits. It is not intended to offer legal advice.

 Important notice

These pages should not be construed to contain legal advice. If you would like to proceed with a qui tam lawsuit, you should discuss the matter with competent legal counsel. If you contact Phillips & Cohen LLP through this site, you should understand that the communication does not create an attorney-client relationship. We do not represent you and have not agreed to do so until we both sign a written agreement.