False Claims Act

Understanding the False Claims Act

The False Claims Act is a law that allows you to report a fraud against the government. If the government is able to collect the money it lost, then you could be entitled to receive a portion of the money it recovers.

In other words, if you are an employee who discovers a fraud against New York State, New York City, New Jersey or the United States government, such as an individual or entity that is overcharging or stealing from the government, then you could be eligible for compensation for coming forward with that information.

Under the Federal False Claims Act, as well as the New York State, New York City and New Jersey False Claims Act, whistleblowers who have information about a company that has defrauded the state or federal government can file a special type of lawsuit on behalf of the government. This is known as a "Qui Tam action."

If the company you reported is found to have defrauded the state or federal government, then depending on the circumstances, as the employee who blew the whistle you could be entitled to receive up to 30% of the money the government is able to recover as a result of the information you provided.

What Kinds of Fraud Falls Under the False Claims Act?

There are many different types of fraud against the government that can be covered by the False Claims Act. Specific examples include:

• Overbilling the government;
• Breaching a contract with the government;
• Stealing from the government;
• Engaging in Medicaid or Medicare fraud;
• Knowingly selling a defective product to the government; or
  
• Virtually any other kind of fraud against the government.

If you have information about an entity that has committed fraud against New York State, New York City, New Jersey, or the United States government then we recommend you talk to a New Jersey whistleblower attorney who can help you evaluate a potential Qui Tam claim. In addition to handling whistleblower cases, we work with other attorneys who frequently handle cases under the False Claims Act.

For more information, please read our blog article: Whistleblower Receives $96 Million From GlaxoSmithKline Under False Claims Act.

Or, to learn more about another federal law that provides similar protections, please read our blog article: New Financial Incentives and Legal Protections for Whistleblowers, which discusses the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

We also welcome you to sign up for our free New Jersey Employment e-Newsletter to receive monthly updates about new cases and statutes, as well as other information relating to worker's rights.

Whistleblower Protection

The False Claims Act protects individuals from retaliation when they bring claims under the False Claims Act, or assist someone else with such a claim.

In addition, many other state and federal laws, such as the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act ("CEPA"), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act protect whistleblowers against other forms of retaliation in the workplace.

Contact a New Jersey Whistleblower Attorney

Please contact us if you have information about a fraud against the federal, state or local government in New York or New Jersey and would like to learn more about your legal rights.

Our New Jersey whistleblower lawyers represent employees throughout New Jersey and in New York City and its suburbs. We invite you to contact us online or call us in New Jersey at (201) 777-2250.

Our office is located right off of the Garden State Parkway at 135 Chestnut Ridge Road, Suite 230 in Montvale, New Jersey. We offer consultations in person, as well as remotely by telephone or by Zoom.

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