Qui tam is a legal concept that allows private individuals to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government against individuals or companies who have defrauded the government. The term qui tam is derived from the Latin phrase qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur, which means he who sues in this matter for the king as well as for himself. In these cases, the individual who brings the lawsuit, known as the whistleblower, can receive a portion of the recovered funds as a reward. Qui tam lawsuits are commonly used in cases of fraud against the government, such as healthcare fraud, defence contractor fraud, and tax fraud. The purpose of qui tam is to encourage individuals with knowledge of fraud to come forward and help the government recover funds that have been wrongfully obtained.
Qui Tam is a legal concept that allows private citizens to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government against individuals or companies that have defrauded the government.
Any private citizen with knowledge of fraud against the government can file a Qui Tam lawsuit, also known as a whistleblower lawsuit.
The purpose of Qui Tam lawsuits is to recover funds for the government that have been obtained through fraudulent means, and to hold individuals or companies accountable for their actions.
Qui Tam lawsuits can be based on a wide range of fraud against the government, including healthcare fraud, defence contractor fraud, and financial fraud.
The process for filing a Qui Tam lawsuit involves gathering evidence of the fraud, filing a complaint with the court, and serving the complaint on the defendant.
Qui Tam whistleblowers are protected from retaliation by their employers under the False Claims Act, and may be entitled to receive a portion of any funds recovered by the government as a result of their lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for filing a Qui Tam lawsuit varies depending on the specific circumstances of the case, but generally ranges from 6 to 10 years from the date of the alleged fraud.
Potential outcomes of a Qui Tam lawsuit include the recovery of funds for the government, financial compensation for the whistleblower, and potential criminal charges against the defendants.
In some cases, Qui Tam lawsuits can be filed under seal, allowing the whistleblower to remain anonymous during the initial stages of the case.
If you have knowledge of fraud against the government and are considering filing a Qui Tam lawsuit, you can seek out an attorney with experience in whistleblower cases to help guide you through the process.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 13th April 2024.
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