A North Georgia Qui Tam Attorney Can Help
Qui tam whistleblower lawsuits are demanding and complex. However, succeeding in your North Georgia qui tam action can also provide great rewards.
Qui tam is the technical legal term. It is used to describe a type of law that allows private citizens (also known as "whistleblowers" or "qui tam realtors") to file whistleblower lawsuits in the name of the government.
Acting as a whistleblower requires great courage.
Because qui tam lawsuits are so complex, your claim must be carefully evaluated and built using a strategic approach.
A qui tam lawsuit is the name used to describe a lawsuit when it is filed by a whistleblower against individuals or companies that have committed fraud against the government.
Throughout the United States, qui tam whistleblowers have helped the federal government recover more than $28 billion. Out of each government recovery, the whistleblower responsible for bringing these claims is eligible to receive a reward that ranges between 15-30% of the recovery amount.
North Georgia qui tam lawsuits are governed by a number of laws and regulations. There are two that all whistleblowers should know about:
- The Federal False Claims Act (FCA), governed by 31 U.S.C. § 3729, is a federal law that enables private citizens with knowledge of past or present fraud on the federal government to sue on the government's behalf.
- The Georgia False Claims Act, governed by O.C.G.A. 49-4-168, is a state law, also known as the State False Medicaid Claims Act, that enables citizens with knowledge of past or present fraud committed against the Georgia Medicaid program to sue on the state government's behalf.
Acting quickly is critical in qui tam actions.
Qui tam relators must follow the first-to-file rule. Under this rule, only the first whistleblower to file a qui tam case is entitled to a whistleblower reward. If you file your case even one day late, you can lose your right to receive your whistleblower reward. As a result, you must act swiftly.
If you are thinking about reporting government fraud in North Georgia, you should immediately speak with a knowledgeable North Georgia qui tam attorney. Our North Georgia qui tam attorneys help whistleblowers throughout Georgia and the 13-county North Georgia Mountain Region.
Do I Have a Good North Georgia Qui Tam Whistleblower Case?
The first thing our North Georgia qui tam lawyers do is determine whether you have a good whistleblower case.
Good whistleblower cases are supported by well-documented evidence of significant government fraud and whistleblowers that have direct, first-hand knowledge about the fraudulent activity.
Good whistleblower cases generally involve a scheme where an individual or entity obtains money from the government through the use of fraudulent or false claims for payment. Some of the most common qui tam cases in North Georgia involve:
- Healthcare fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Nursing home fraud and hospice fraud
- Defense contractor fraud
- Public works and procurement fraud
Each year North Georgia receives billions of dollars from government funding. As a result, North Georgia is a potential target for dishonest individuals who want to defraud the government.
For example, North Georgia is home to more than 15 hospitals and medical centers. Georgia healthcare providers receive over $14 billion a year in Medicare and Medicaid funding. Over $5 billion is spent on healthcare services provided in North Georgia.
Nine of the top ten defense contractors in the U.S. have operations in Georgia. Each year the Department of Defense spends over $2 billion on defense contracts associated with North Georgia contractors.
Whistleblowers are the key to protecting our taxpayer dollars against government fraud and abuse. When you want to blow the whistle on government fraud, having a North Georgia qui tam law firm on your side can be the key to your whistleblower success.
Choosing the Right North Georgia Qui Tam Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
One of the best ways to maximize the strength of your whistleblower case is to seek advice from an experienced North Georgia qui tam lawyer.
Qui tam cases are always complex.
They involve complicated qui tam laws and regulations. They demand an intimate understanding of the government's payment and procurement process. They require detailed discussions and negotiations with United States Department of Justice and state attorneys general.
Because qui tam lawsuits are so complex, your claim must be carefully evaluated and built using a strategic approach.
When you contact our team of North Georgia qui tam attorneys, we will:
- Investigate: We immediately conduct a comprehensive, fact-gathering investigation to ensure that your claim is supported by all the documents and evidence necessary to make your claim strong.
- Research: We then thoroughly research all of the legal aspects of your claim and all the evidence that supports it.
- Protect: We utilize our comprehensive investigation and thorough research to ensure that every precaution is taken to protect you against whistleblower retaliation and to protect your claim against procedural risks and dangers.
- Prosecution: We vigorously prosecute your case and work closely with the government to achieve your maximum whistleblower reward.
Although succeeding in your north Georgia qui tam claim can provide substantial rewards, success in qui tam litigation does not come easily.
There are many whistleblower rules that can kill your case before it begins. For example, qui tam cases are controlled by strict rules relating to timing and confidentiality.
One of the most important rules is known as the "seal" of secrecy. Here's how it works.
Qui tam lawsuits based on government fraud in North Georgia generally are filed in a federal court known as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. This court is based in Atlanta, Georgia, but has divisions in Gainesville and Rome.
To comply with the seal of secrecy your case can only be filed by an attorney. When your attorney files your case, it must be filed on a secret court docket and cannot be disclosed to anyone except the federal government and your attorney.
Until the court decides that it is appropriate to "lift the seal," your case cannot be discussed with anyone. Not even your spouse or family members. If you violate the seal and tell the media or anyone else about your case, your case can be dismissed and you will lose your whistleblower reward.
Don't risk forfeiting your case by overlooking a rule or missing a deadline. Contact an experienced North Georgia qui tam attorney today.