New Jersey False Claims Act Lawyers

What happens when you discover fraud against the government? For example, your healthcare employer was double billing Medicare. Or perhaps you unveiled false service records that indicate better-than-actual performance. There are dozens of ways to defraud the government. The False Claims Act (FCA) is a piece of legislation that prohibits and penalizes fraud against the government. The FCA encourages everyday citizens like you to bring forth information regarding fraud – with the opportunity for a reward.

Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC is a New Jersey employment law firm that helps whistleblowers like you recover compensation for their good deeds. It does pay to speak up. Contact our firm today to for more information.

Learn about the False Claims Act

Designed to prevent fraud by government contractors, the federal False Claims Act covers fraud involving any federally funded contract or program, with the exception of tax fraud.  A separate IRS whistleblower program covers federal tax fraud.

Such prohibited actions include:

• Consciously presenting a false claim for payment
• Consciously presenting a false record or statement material to a fraudulent claim
• Falsely certifying property to be used by the government
• Buying unauthorized property from an unauthorized officer of the government
• Conspiring to commit fraud against the government
• Using false information to avoid paying the government

Common False Claim Act Claims

The government frequently works with private contractors and entities to help run certain programs.  The False Claims Act originates from Civil War-era times when arms, rations and supplies providers were caught selling substandard goods to the military. This is why the FCA is also known as the ‘Lincoln Law.’

Today, common False Claim Act charges involve:

• Defense contractor fraud – The arms industry is one of the largest in the world. Defense contractors produce arms for the U.S. military – but are also the largest source of False Claims Act claims. These companies have been known to submit false invoices, cross-charge, use substandard parts, inflate costs and improperly allocate costs.
• Health care fraud – A growing area of false claims is health care fraud. When doctor’s offices, dentists, hospitals and other healthcare providers overbill, double bill or otherwise defraud governmental health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, it may constitute a False Claims Act charge.
• Pharmaceutical fraud – If you find that a pharmaceutical company or provider is billing for non-FDA approved drugs, falsifying labels, illegally marketing, receiving kickbacks or engaged in other fraudulent activities, you may be able to bring about a claim.

Keep in mind the fraud needs to have reached a high level before it is worth pursuing a claim.

What is the Qui Tam Provision?

You may wonder: what do I have to gain by reporting fraud to the government? Well, if you have knowledge of governmental fraud, you can bring a lawsuit against the fraudulent company on behalf of the government. If the lawsuit is successful, you are awarded a percentage of the overall compensation. This is known as the Qui Tam provision of the False Claims Act. You can earn between 15 and 30 percent of the overall award if the lawsuit is successful.

Once you bring a False Claims charge to the government, it becomes their responsibility to investigate the charge.

Our New Jersey false claims act lawyers

Once you discover fraud, contact an attorney at the Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC; filing a Qui Tam claim is complex, and you need our help.

Call us today at (732) 253-4512 or contact us online.  Your initial consultation is free. You can schedule an appointment at one of our office locations across New Jersey.