Qui Tam - Whistleblower Lawyer / Attorney
- Orlando, Florida
Sigman & Sigman,
P.A., Attorneys at Law
Employees are often on the "front lines"
observing or being told to participate in fraudulent conduct by the
employer. This places the employee in a stressful and
precarious position. Employees who work for employers who bill
or charge the government (federal or state government) for goods or
services may have information indicating that the employer is
submitting "false claims" to the government for payment. In
the healthcare industry, the healthcare provider-employer may be
billing the government for services that were not in fact done or
engaging in other fraudulent billing practices. In the defense
contractor industry, the employer may be submitting time or
materials costs to the government which are false. Fraud takes
many different forms and over the years those who desired to commit
fraud against the government have used countless schemes and methods
of operation to achieve their fraudulent purpose for financial gain.
When an employee becomes aware that the
employer is engaging in fraud upon the government, the employee
should immediately and confidentially
consult legal counsel with knowledge and experience in the field of
"qui tam"
litigation.
Qui tam litigation is a unique and
complex area of litigation in which the employee files suit under
seal
(secretly) on behalf of the government,
and then the government has an opportunity through a process of
investigation to decide whether to
intervene in the action to pursue recovery of the
fraudulently-claimed monies.
If the government does not intervene,
the employee can still pursue the case. If the government does
intervene, they
become a party to the case and pursue
recovery of the fraudulently obtained monies from the wrongdoers.
The person who files the case and
informs the government in a qui tam case is called the "Relator".
If monies
are recovered from the wrongdoer, the
Relator can receive a share of the recovered funds. Often the
employer will
settle the matter when the government
intervenes and the Relator is able to receive a share of the
settlement recovery.
There are many complex and unique
decisions that need to be made by the employee as to how he or she
will handle
the matter. Communications
regarding qui tam cases need to be handled in a highly confidential
and careful manner.
Consulting legal counsel early in the
process can help the employee avoid pitfalls and errors that can
cost
the employee financially, emotionally
and legally. Legal counsel can guide the employee through the
difficult decision
and questions that the employee needs to
address when he or she finds that the employer is engaging in fraud.
A person does not have to be an employee
of the fraudulent actor in order to be a Relator. Any person
who becomes
aware of false claims made against the
government can potentially pursue such a case to recover the funds
on behalf
of the government and seek a Relator's
share. Whether the Relator is an employee or a non-employee,
he or
she should promptly and confidentially
seek legal counsel for guidance in this complex field.
Sigman & Sigman, P.A. advises and
represents relators and whistleblowers in these matters.
To consult with a attorney / lawyer at
The
law firm of Sigman & Sigman, P.A.
call (407) 332-1200, to schedule your confidential legal
consultation.
Altamonte
Springs, Maitland, Orlando,
and Central Florida Qui Tam, Whistleblower Lawyer / Attorney
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