Brown, LLC

What is a Whistleblower Lawsuit?

A whistleblower lawsuit generally falls into a few categories. False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit: When the government is defrauded, the FCA allows a private citizen to commence an action on behalf of the government and potentially receive up to 30% of the government’s recovery. IRS whistleblowing: This involves reporting companies or high-net-worth individuals evading tax liability of at least $2 million.

How do I know if I qualify as a whistleblower?

To qualify as a whistleblower, you must have detailed information about the fraud based on personal knowledge and evidence—not just from public sources like the internet or news. However, in rare cases, outsiders may succeed with a whistleblower claim.

What are the Average Whistleblower Awards?

Medicare and Medicaid whistleblowers receive hundreds of millions of dollars each year for exposing unlawful activity and saving lives and taxpayer money. Under the FCA, an intervened whistleblower lawsuit can result in a whistleblower reward of up to 25% of the total recovery, with an average False Claims Act intervened settlement of around $13 million.

Will I lose my job if I report Medicare Fraud?

There are rigorous protections against termination for whistleblowers under the False Claims Act and prohibitions against any form of retaliation. Most whistleblower cases are initially filed confidentially and under seal, so your employer may not be aware of them for the first few years, which inherently adds a layer of protection.

Is there a time limit to file a Medicare & Medicaid Lawsuit?

Yes, there are strict timelines for filing whistleblower lawsuits, and only the first whistleblower to file may be entitled to an award. You are not only racing against the clock but also against other potential whistleblowers. If you’re concerned about being the first to file and need support, working with an experienced law firm like Brown, LLC is crucial.