Define: False Claims Act

Answer: The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes liability on individuals and companies that submit false or fraudulent claims for payment to the government.

Answer: The False Claims Act allows private individuals, known as whistleblowers, to bring a case on behalf of the government.

Answer: The False Claims Act covers any claim for payment made to the government that is false or fraudulent, including claims for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement, defence contracts, and grants.

Answer: The penalty for violating the False Claims Act is three times the amount of damages the government suffered, plus a civil penalty of up to $23,331 per false claim.

Answer: Yes, individuals can be held liable under the False Claims Act, including executives, managers, and employees who knowingly submit false claims.

Answer: The statute of limitations for a False Claims Act case is six years from the date the false claim was made or three years from the date the government knew or should have known about the false claim.

Answer: Yes, whistleblowers can receive a reward of up to 30% of the amount recovered by the government in a False Claims Act case.

Answer: Yes, a company can be excluded from doing business with the government for violating the False Claims Act, known as debarment.

Answer: Yes, False Claims Act cases can be settled out of court, often through a negotiated settlement agreement.

Answer: If you suspect a false claim has been made to the government, you should contact an experienced False Claims Act attorney or the Department of Justice to report the fraud.