The False Claims Act
The False Claims Act is the single most potent law to fight fraud against the government, helping recover billions of stollen taxpayer dollars each year.
From fraud against Medicare and Medicaid to defense and procurement, the False Claims Act covers all government programs. This law is the bread and butter of Taxpayers Against Fraud and the most common type of whistleblower case.
Origins
The original False Claims Act was signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln to combat fraud against the Union Army; it is sometimes referred to as “The Lincoln Law.”
It fell into disuse after World War II, but it was amended in 1986. These amendments revitalized the law by better empowering whistleblowers to sue on behalf of the government—what you’re looking to do.
What makes a False Claims Act case?
The False Claims Act exists to protect government dollars from fraud. When it was originally signed into law during the Civil War, it combatted military suppliers who sold sick horses as though they were healthy or sawdust as if it was gunpowder.
Today, the law is used to combat everything from medical overbilling to off-label marketing to illegal kickbacks and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of the fraud looked like similar stories from the Civil War, such as giving the government faulty supplies, such as defective medical equipment or COVID tests. Click here for a detailed list of frauds.
How Does Whistleblowing Work?
Whistleblowers who bring successful cases are entitled to a reward of 15-30 percent of the government’s recovery.
These are long cases—averaging five to seven years—and are complicated. It is highly recommended to find an attorney who specializes in these cases. You can search our whistleblower attorney directory to explore 400+ experienced practitioners across the country.
