Category: Qui Tam

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Nineteen healthcare-related qui tam (false claims) cases were unsealed at the end of 2014. These cases were from federal district courts in 13 different states. Unsealed filings show that the government affirmatively declined intervention in 10 of those 19 recently unsealed cases. The government intervened in 3 of […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER The definition of a public disclosure, and how it affects qui tam/false claims cases, was recently further clarified by a Sixth Circuit court decision. The False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to bring a civil action in the name of the government, and receive part of the award or […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER California whistleblower lawyers say a new proposed bill could give auto industry employees financial incentive to report product defects or safety violations. A bill proposing to offer financial incentives to auto industry employees who expose safety defects recently won backing from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER According to Alameda County qui tam/false claim lawyers, 2014 was a record-breaking year for whistleblower claims filed under the False Claims and Dodd-Frank Acts. More than $6 billion was recovered by the Department of Justice through qui tam/false claims suits in 2014, up from $3.8 billion in 2013. […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER More than a half-dozen whistleblowers nationwide have recently filed qui tam/false claim lawsuits alleging systematic over-billing by Medicare Advantage plans, according to San Francisco based qui tam/fraudulent claim lawyers. Medicare Advantage allows the government to pay different amounts for senior care based on each patient’s risk score. It […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Qui tam lawsuits are commonly made by whistleblowers under the False Claims Act; law that rewards whistleblowers if they help the government recover funds. Becoming a whistleblower takes courage and patience. Patience is required since qui tam lawsuits are filed under seal, and generally takes a lengthy period […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Whistleblowers are individuals or groups that report about possible wrongdoings of a particular organization or company. Often times, whistleblowing involves an employee reporting employer misconduct that is illegal, unethical, or against public policy. Approximately 1400 whistleblowers have filed qui tam lawsuits in the last two years, and have […]

ATTORNEY NEWLETTER Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the largest whistleblower reward offered so far.  The Office of the Whistleblower, a new part of the Securities and Exchange Commission, informed the public that a $14 million reward had been given to a whistleblower who helped recover substantial […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Sutter Health recently announced that it intends to pay $46 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit.  The lawsuit alleged that Sutter Health engaged in double billing practices with regard to anesthesia services provided to patients.  California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones stated that the settlement is the largest out […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Insurance Code section 1871.7 provides a private right of action to sue perpetrators of insurance fraud on behalf of the State of California.  Although modeled on federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, section 1871.7 is an attractive tool that offers significant advantages.  Section 1871.7, like other […]