The words qui tam come from a Latin phrase that translates to “who as well.” When used in reference to a lawsuit, qui tam means a case in which an individual is suing a person or an entity both on his or her own behalf and on behalf of the government. A provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act, qui tam is for those who want to report fraud or other criminal acts against the government. These illegal acts can arise from unlawful behavior when carrying out a contract or from violating regulations in the course of a contract, as long as there is a statute that gives a penalty for such behavior. More simply put, qui tam is the legal terminology for a whistleblower lawsuit.

The purpose of qui tam lawsuits is twofold: first and foremost, they want to stop illegal conduct and practices, but equally important, they aim to recover the funds lost through such conduct for the government. Because this fraud is against the government, qui tam cases often stand to recover millions and even billions of dollars, giving that money back to the government where it is owed and rewarding the whistleblower for taking the risk of stepping forward to expose corruption.

Qui tam lawsuits can be used to stop many types of fraud, including but not limited to the following:

  • Medicare and Medicaid fraud
  • Off-label drug marketing
  • Defense contractor fraud
  • Failure to meet certain industry standards
  • Financial industry fraud

The experienced team of lawyers at Sheridan & Murray has served the citizens of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for years and fully understands the complexities of qui tam lawsuits. If you or a loved one is considering filing a qui tam claim, you will need an attorney with the right background to help you present your case. Contact the qui tam legal team at Sheridan & Murray today for a free consultation and review of your situation. Let us give you the protection that you deserve as you seek justice for yourself and the government.

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