At the 24th Annual Employment Law Institute (ELI), sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, our very own Jared A. Jacobson Esq. co-presented, along with Joseph Gordon of Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick & Raspanti, LLP, on the topic of qui tam litigation and the need of employment lawyers to have a basic understanding of qui tam litigation potentially underlying an individual’s employment claim.
The presentation covered the scope of qui tam litigation including the False Claims Act, protections for whistleblowers, the process of initiating a qui tam action, and legal recourse after unlawful retaliation by the employer.
In this article, we will discuss the essential information covered in the presentation at the 2018 Employment Law Institute in Philadelphia. You will learn what qui tam litigation is and what protections exist for whistleblowers under the False Claims Act.
Employees who are aware of false or fraudulent claims made knowingly to the government or a government agency by their employers and those who have been unlawfully discriminated against after reporting such a claim should contact the experienced retaliatory termination attorneys of Philadelphia at The Law Firm of Jacobson & Rooks, LLC as soon as possible.
What is Qui Tam Litigation?
Qui tam refers to a provision under the False Claims Act that permits an individual to file a lawsuit on behalf of the United States Government and him or herself, against any company that does any business with the federal government and who has personal knowledge of the company that has knowingly submitted fraudulent or false claims to the government or one of its agencies.
In essence, it is a type of lawsuit that holds employers accountable for their claims to government funding while protecting and compensating the whistleblowers who bring to light these fraudulent claims.
How does it Protect Whistleblowers?
Under the FCA, employees or anyone else who has personal knowledge of fraud being committed against the government, and who reports such fraud, are protected against retaliation and discrimination from the company. This includes unlawful termination, demotion, suspension, harassment, and any other form of discrimination that violates the terms and conditions of their employment or contractual relationship with the company.
Employees and anyone else with personal knowledge of fraud against the government, who report false claims and experience retaliation as a result of such report, are entitled to significant compensatory relief which may include if an employee two times their back pay plus interest, compensation for any special damages, and repayment of litigation costs and attorney fees. Anyone who believes he or she has been wrongfully discriminated against, even if he or she has not filed a qui tam claim, but perhaps the company believes she or he has, should contact a workplace disability discrimination lawyer in Philadelphia to discuss available options.
What to do if You Suspect Fraud by Your Employer
If you believe your employer is fraudulently soliciting funds from the federal government, DO NOT CALL A RANDOM HOTLINE found on the internet, give us a call at (856) 746-6332 today to discuss the claim. We will help you initiate an action in compliance with the False Claims Act and win the largest sum possible. There is money to be made from fraudulent actions by your employer; let us help you win that money.