San Francisco Whistleblower Law Firm
Whistleblowers with information about fraud committed against the federal or state government can save our country billions of dollars and earn significant rewards for taking part in putting a stop to such illegal practices. If you have knowledge that a company or individual has made fraudulent or improper charges against the government, you should discuss your legal rights with a qualified lawyer. Contact our San Francisco whistleblower law firm, or call us at 888-503-8267 today to speak with an experienced attorney..
What Is Whistleblower Law?
Under the Federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower that brings a claim against persons or corporations defrauding the government of funds is protected from reprisals and may be awarded a portion of any monies recovered. People with knowledge of fraud committed against the State of California may file an action under the California False Claims Act. Both the federal and the state laws contain a provision known as “Qui Tam” which allows any person with evidence of fraud being committed against the government to file a lawsuit against those committing the fraud. Fraud and illegal practices can take many forms. Our San Francisco whistleblower lawyers can attest that the most common wrongdoings involve government-funded healthcare programs like Medicare or Medicaid or an agency like the Department of Defense, the IRS, or the Federal Housing Authority. Misconduct can include such things as:
- contracting fraud
- tax fraud
- mortgage fraud
- billing for goods or services there were not provided
- overcharging for good or services
- illegal kickbacks
- healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical equipment fraud
- securities fraud
Rewards For Whistleblowing
If the government files a case against a company or individual based upon the information supplied by a whistleblower, the government may recover up to three times the amount of money lost due to fraud. A whistleblower can receive a reward of 15 to 25 percent of the money recovered, granted he or she meets certain qualifying conditions. If the government decides not to file a case, the whistleblower can still file his or her own case under the Qui Tam provisions of the law. In a Qui Tam case, the whistleblower has the possibility of receiving a reward of 25 to 30 percent of the money recovered. The rewards of successful whistleblower lawsuit can be substantial, which is why it is crucial to contact our San Francisco, California qui tam law firm to ensure your claim is filed properly. The primary rewards of reporting fraud and wrongdoing include the following:
- Monetary compensation: several factors are considered to determine the percentage of reward given to the whistleblower, such as the grievousness of the fraud and the time it took to report it.
- Employment protection: both the federal and California laws protect whistleblowers from retaliation, demotion and termination by the employer.
- Retaliation damages: if employer retaliation occurs, whistleblowers may be entitled to back wages and damages for discrimination, harassment and termination.
California Whistleblower Attorneys
If you think that you have information of fraud against the government, it is essential to take the right steps in reporting your claim and ensuring that you receive whistleblower protections and benefits. A whistleblower claim can be a complex process. It is essential to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side. Contact the experienced attorneys at Evans Law, Inc., and we can guide you through each step of your claim and ensure that your rights are protected.
