Federal False Claims Act Lawyer

Federal False Claims Act Lawyer

For businesses facing fraud accusations, a federal False Claims Act attorney, or a qui tam defense lawyer, can be extremely helpful. Fraud accusations can hurt your finances and image in a big way. However, with the right defense lawyer by your side, you can handle these problems and protect your rights.

Why Choose Barry M. Wax, Attorney at Law?

Our firm defends companies and people against claims made under the federal False Claims Act. We know that misunderstandings can occur, which may result in a claim being made against you or your business. At Barry M. Wax, Attorney at Law, we can defend you in these cases while fully protecting your legal and business interests.

What Is the Federal False Claims Act?

A federal law called the False Claims Act (FCA) is meant to stop people from lying to the U.S. government. The FCA lets the government go after people and businesses that send in knowingly fake claims for money. The law was created to protect government funds, but it can also lead to expensive and time-consuming claims for companies that may have done nothing wrong or are wrongly accused of fraud.

The FCA applies to many different types of businesses, but these problems mostly come up in healthcare, government contracts, and purchases. For instance, healthcare providers could be accused of overcharging Medicare or Medicaid, and defense contractors could be accused of delivering bad goods or lying about prices.

The FCA’s qui tam provisions are often used by disgruntled workers or competitors to file legal claims to get money back for the government and get a cut of the funds that are recovered in the case.

What Is a Qui Tam Claim?

A qui tam claim is one that is allowed to be made by whistleblowers on behalf of the U.S. government. Usually, these are made under the federal False Claims Act. The whistleblower is instrumental in the accusations, as they are typically the ones that bring them to light.

When a qui tam claim is made, it is kept secret at first to give the government time to look into the claims without telling the person who is being charged. The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigates the case and decides whether to step in and take over the claim during this phase.

There are a lot of qui tam claims in fields where the government is involved. One is healthcare, where fraudulent billing practices, like overcharging Medicare or billing for services that were not given, are common. Government contracting fraud or procurement fraud is another common area. In these cases, companies may overcharge for goods, deliver poor-quality goods, or lie about the terms of the contract.

When Do You Need a Federal False Claims Act Lawyer?

Businesses and people may need the help of a federal False Claims Act defense lawyer in a number of situations. For example, Healthcare workers are often accused of sending false claims to government programs like Medicare or Medicaid.

For businesses and individuals in Miami, Fl , having an experienced attorney like Barry M. Wax can make all the difference in defending against False Claims Act allegations.

These cases can start with claims of overcharging, billing for services that weren’t provided, or exaggerating the cost of medical procedures. Because healthcare billing rules are so complicated, these charges can come from mistakes that were not meant to be made.

Governmental entities are often the subject of these types of claims. If a business is accused of stealing from the government in defense, infrastructure, or purchases, this might be because it was charging too much, giving bad goods, or lying on reports to get paid. Theft can also happen when a person or company has been accused of lying about certain financial details, especially regarding bidding.

A whistleblower is usually a current or former employee. If they file a qui tam case saying your business lied to the government, this must also be dealt with quickly, especially if they are willingly and knowingly making false accusations.  A defense lawyer can look into whether the accusations are true, question the whistleblower’s trustworthiness, and fight for your company’s rights in court or through negotiations.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a False Claims Act Case?

A: There is no average settlement for a False Claims Act case. This is because each amount varies based on a number of factors. Some of these factors include the industry that is being accused (such as the healthcare industry) and the size of the claim. Larger-scale schemes tend to have larger settlement payouts. Smaller schemes tend to have lower payouts. The settlement depends on the specifics of the case.

Q: Who Enforces the Federal False Claims Act?

A: The main organization in charge of upholding the federal False Claims Act is the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ examines a qui tam complaint filed by a whistleblower and decides whether to step in and take up the prosecution. Depending on the industry, additional government organizations may also get involved, such as the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Q: How Successful Are False Claims Act Cases?

A: Cases under the False Claims Act can be very successful, depending on the circumstances of the case. Success frequently hinges on the quality of the attorneys engaged, the intricacy of the fraud, and the strength of the evidence. Those accused can still pursue and win cases on their own, though these are typically more difficult. Therefore, it is recommended to enlist the aid of an attorney.

Q: What Are the Potential Penalties One May Face Under the Federal False Claims Act?

A: The federal False Claims Act carries harsh consequences, such as hefty monetary losses and civil fines. For every fraudulent claim made, defendants risk fines and damages that increase the government’s losses. Defendants may also be liable for paying the government’s legal bills. These fines are meant to discourage fraud in others.

Contact Barry M. Wax, Attorney at Law Today

If you have been accused of a false claim, Barry M. Wax, Attorney at Law, can defend you. Contact us today to begin protecting your rights.