If you filed a qui tam action against your employer and your employer retaliated against you, the employer may have violated the federal False Claims Act. Qui tam employment retaliation deserves intervention from a lawyer who knows how to protect your rights. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney.
Los Angeles Qui Tam Attorneys
Helping Clients Understand Employment and Commercial Law For Over 20 Years
The term "qui tam" is a Latin term with an easy-to-understand meaning. In qui tam actions employees inform government officials of wrong doing on the part of their employers. If the subsequent suit is successful and the employer ends up paying a penalty the employee, not the government receives the payment or a portion of it. Though technically different, qui tam actions are similar to whistleblowing claims.
Below we have provided some general information to educate you about how the law applies in qui tam cases. To get answers about your specific case, contact us to arrange a no-charge consultation with one of our experienced lawyers.
Thank you for contacting Bononi Law Group, LLP. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
The attorneys of the Bononi Law Group, LLP, handle qui tam and other employment-related cases and disputes across southern California and are experienced litigators and counselors. When you retain our services you can rely on casework experience and our reputation for providing effective dispute resolution services. For a no-charge consultation, call 1-800-641-5548.
Do you suspect your employer has committed financial fraud or broken laws regarding health or environmental regulations, or other laws? Contact the experienced qui tam attorneys of the Bononi Law Group, LLP, for a free consultation.
Awards in Qui Tam Actions
Qui tam actions have the potential for producing substantial monetary judgments against defendants. If a qui tam action is successful, a portion of the award will go to the person who initiated the action. A knowledgeable attorney at Bononi Law Group, LLP in Los Angeles, California, can help you assess the strength of your qui tam case.
Damages and Penalties
If the defendant in a qui tam case is found to have violated the federal False Claims Act, it will be ordered to pay three times the amount of monetary damages sustained by the government. The defendant also must pay a $5,000 to $10,000 penalty per false claim submitted. The penalty is set by the court and is in addition to the treble damages.
Award for Bringing the Qui Tam Action
The true plaintiff in a qui tam action is the government because the government is the party that suffered the injury. The person who brings the action (the "relator") does so on behalf of the government. Even so, the False Claims Act provides a significant monetary incentive to private persons who bring qui tam actions. The relator who initiates a successful qui tam lawsuit receives a percentage of the penalty and damages. The exact amount depends on the circumstances of the case:
- 25 to 30 percent if the government did not intervene in the action.
- 15 to 25 percent if the government intervened in the action.
- 10 percent or less if the government intervened in the action and most of the information relevant to the lawsuit was publicly available.
- A reduced amount if the relator planned and initiated the false claims that formed the basis of the qui tam action. If the relator is convicted of a crime associated with the false claims, the relator will not receive anything.
The percentage the relator receives is determined by the court after it considers the overall situation, including the relator's contribution to the action. The relator may also be awarded reasonable expenses and attorney's fees.
Contact an Attorney
The right to pursue a qui tam action serves important purposes. By encouraging private citizens to expose false claims against the government, it increases the government's recovery of funds that it otherwise would not have collected. In addition, it reinforces the ideal of honest business practices by entities that deal with the government. By awarding relators a percentage of the monetary judgment, it influences people with firsthand knowledge to come forward.
Because the potential reward for a relator is significant, it is vital to consult an attorney who is knowledgeable in qui tam litigation. An attorney can help you provide relevant evidence and valuable assistance to the government. Contact a lawyer at Bononi Law Group, LLP in Los Angeles, California, for more information on the nature of qui tam actions and advice on how to proceed.
Copyright ©2009 FindLaw, a Thomson Business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
