What percentage do whistleblowers receive under the False Claims Act?

Whistleblowers receive 15-30% of the government's recovery in False Claims Act cases. The exact percentage depends on factors including the significance of the information provided and whether the government intervenes in the case.

How long do qui tam cases take?

Qui tam cases typically take 3-10 years to resolve. The government has at least 60 days to investigate after filing, but routinely seeks extensions. Cases that settle resolve faster than those proceeding to trial.

What types of fraud qualify for whistleblower rewards?

The False Claims Act covers fraud against federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid, defense contracts, government procurement, housing programs, and disaster relief. Any scheme that causes the government to pay money it would not otherwise owe may qualify.

Can I file a whistleblower case if I participated in the fraud?

Yes, but your recovery may be reduced. Courts may reduce awards for whistleblowers who planned or initiated the fraud. However, many successful whistleblowers had some involvement in the conduct they report.

What protection exists against retaliation for whistleblowers?

The False Claims Act prohibits retaliation against employees who report fraud. Whistleblowers may recover reinstatement, back pay, and compensation for any special damages including litigation costs and attorneys' fees.

Whistleblower Attorney Boston | Qui Tam Lawyer MA

Whistleblower & False Claims Act

We represent whistleblowers exposing fraud in business and government.

$72B

Since 1986, whistleblowers have significantly contributed to over $72 billion in False Claims Act recoveries.

$5.6B+

In 2021, the Department of Justice recovered over $5.6 billion lost to fraud, demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding U.S. taxpayer dollars.

$3B

In 2012, the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reached a $3 billion settlement for allegations including off-label drug promotion, paying kickbacks to healthcare providers, and failing to report safety data.

15-30%

Whistleblowers can earn 15-25% of recovered funds if the government joins and wins their case. If the government doesn’t intervene, the reward increases to 25-30%.

Whistleblowers earned $309 million in 2020 for exposing U.S. government fraud.

Whistleblowers who report fraud against federal programs can receive 15-30% of the government’s recovery, often resulting in awards of millions of dollars. The False Claims Act also provides protection against employer retaliation, including reinstatement and back pay. Since 1986, whistleblowers have contributed to over $72 billion in False Claims Act recoveries.

We represent whistleblowers under federal and state reward programs:

False Claims Act: Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud, and other fraud against government programs.
SEC Whistleblower Program: Securities law violations and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
CFTC Whistleblower Program: Commodity law violations.
IRS Whistleblower Program: Tax evasion and fraudulent tax schemes.
Massachusetts Whistleblower Protections: Retaliation claims for reporting violations of law or public safety risks.

Overview

The Department of Justice recovered $2.68 billion in False Claims Act settlements in fiscal year 2023. Whistleblower cases accounted for 86% of that total.

In 2022, a single whistleblower case resulted in a $900 million settlement with Biogen, demonstrating the immense power individuals have to expose corporate wrongdoing and protect public interests.

Justice for Whistleblowers

We represent individuals who expose corporate and governmental fraud. The False Claims Act establishes both a mechanism for recovering misappropriated taxpayer funds and critical protections for those who report credible information. Our practice supports enforcement efforts that hold wrongdoers accountable and strengthen systemic integrity. The December 31, 2024 Massachusetts ruling ordering UnitedHealth and its affiliates to pay $165 million for deceptive sales practices illustrates both the scale of corporate misconduct and the essential function whistleblowers serve in protecting consumers and supporting investigations.

Healthcare fraud remains the largest source of False Claims Act recoveries, with over $1.7 billion recouped in 2022 alone, partly due to whistleblower lawsuits.

Your Rights

Whistleblowers have significant legal protections and financial incentives:

Retaliation protection: Federal and state laws prohibit employer retaliation for reporting fraud. Remedies include reinstatement, back pay, and damages.
Confidentiality: SEC and other programs allow anonymous reporting through counsel. Your identity is protected during investigation.
Financial rewards: If your information leads to sanctions exceeding $1 million, you may receive 10-30% of recovered funds.
Global eligibility: U.S. whistleblower programs accept reports from individuals in any country.

Purdue Pharma’s $4.5 billion settlement highlights the vital role of whistleblowers in combating corporate-caused public health crises.

Lawyers' Role

We guide whistleblowers through the reporting process, from initial evaluation through government investigation and resolution. Our role includes assessing claim viability, preparing submissions, coordinating with federal and state agencies, and protecting clients from retaliation.

How We Can Help

Disaster Relief and Emergency Fraud

Expose misuse of disaster relief funding in emergency response and rebuilding projects.

Environmental and Climate-Related Fraud

Represent whistleblowers reporting fraud in carbon credit markets, greenwashing, or misuse of climate funds.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Fraud

Pursue claims involving Medicare and Medicaid fraud, false billing, and kickback violations.

Defense and National Security Fraud

Expose overbilling, falsified records, and unsafe products in defense contracts and national security programs.

Education and Research Misconduct

Represent whistleblowers reporting misuse of government research grants or fraudulent educational funding.

Cybersecurity and Data Breach Reporting

Support whistleblowers reporting failures to meet cybersecurity standards or disclose significant data breaches.

Financial and Banking Fraud

Hold financial institutions accountable for securities fraud, insider trading, and financial misreporting.

Public Construction and Procurement Fraud

Investigate fraudulent bidding and misappropriation of funds in public infrastructure projects.

Tax Fraud and Financial Misconduct

Pursue claims for tax evasion, underreported income, and fraudulent tax schemes.

Consumer Financial Protection Violations

Represent whistleblowers reporting predatory lending, hidden fees, and consumer financial protection violations.

Fraud in Emerging Markets and Technologies

Represent whistleblowers exposing cryptocurrency fraud, deceptive ICOs, and unethical uses of AI.

Whistleblower Retaliation Protection

Protect individuals who face retaliation for reporting fraud or misconduct.

AI and Algorithmic Fraud

Represent whistleblowers exposing biased, fraudulent, or deceptive AI systems.

Charity and Nonprofit Fraud

Support whistleblowers exposing charity fraud, nonprofit embezzlement, or diverted donations.

National Security Whistleblowing

Guide intelligence, defense, and FBI personnel in making protected disclosures through authorized channels.

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