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Protecting Whistleblowers Across the USA
If you’re looking to report fraud or expose wrongdoing, having a whistleblower lawyer with a proven track record of success and extensive experience is crucial. With over a billion dollars in settlements and judgments, a whistleblower team consisting of multiple Department of Justice alumni and led by a former FBI Special Agent, ranked by Lex Machina as one of the most prolific False Claims Act firms in the country, Brown, LLC is in high demand as one of the premier whistleblower law firms.
A whistleblower attorney will guide you through the complexities of anti-retaliation provisions, help you determine your eligibility, and empower you to make informed decisions about effectively navigating your situation. By seeking legal advice from whistleblower protection lawyers with a history of success, you protect your rights and take a significant step toward obtaining justice.
One of the most prominent types of whistleblower lawsuits is False Claims Act cases, which are Qui tam lawsuits where private citizens (relators) can sue organizations that illegally exploit government contracts and programs, like Medicare/Medicaid fraud. The provisions of the False Claims Act enable whistleblowers to expose fraud and, if filed properly, invoke layers of protection such as initial confidentiality for an extended period and prohibitions against retaliation. With the help of a whistleblower protection lawyer, if the case is successful, you can receive a portion of the recovered funds, making whistleblower programs powerful tools to combat financial abuse in the federal government.
You’ve already taken the first step toward becoming a whistleblower by educating yourself about how to file a whistleblower lawsuit. Take the next step by calling (877) 561-0000 to speak with a federal whistleblower protection lawyer from our team for a free, confidential consultation.
Our whistleblower lawyers are only paid if we win your case. We handle cases nationwide, whether they involve Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, defense contractor fraud, PPP loan fraud, or other schemes used to defraud taxpayers. We admire your courage and can’t wait to hear from you.
Jason T Brown
Senior Partner / Head of the Firm
Patrick Almonrode
Litigator/Partner
Paul Shehadi
Litigator
Dennis Blumenfeld
Litigator
Frequently Asked Questions
You Have Questions.
We Have Answers.
What is a Whistleblower Lawsuit?
A whistleblower lawsuit generally falls into a few categories.
- False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit: When the government is defrauded, the FCA allows a private citizen to commence an action on behalf of the government and potentially receive up to 30% of the government’s recovery.
- IRS whistleblowing: Involves reporting companies or high-net-worth individuals evading tax liability.
- State laws: Various state laws, particularly those in New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois, offer expansive whistleblower rights and protections.
- SEC Whistleblowing: Reporting securities violations.
- CFTC Whistleblowing: Reporting commodities violations.
- AML Whistleblowing: Reporting anti-money laundering (AML) or know-your-client (KYC) violations.
- Corporate Criminal Whistleblowing: Reporting other corporate malfeasance under the Department of Justice Program implemented in 2024.
- Other Whistleblowing: There are numerous federal and state statutes that may permit you to blow the whistle on illegal or unethical conduct.
How do I know if I qualify as a whistleblower?
To qualify as a whistleblower, you must have detailed information about the fraud based on personal knowledge and evidence—not just from public sources like the internet or news. However, in rare cases, outsiders may succeed with a whistleblower claim. To determine your eligibility under the False Claims Act or other whistleblower statutes, such as the SEC whistleblower program, call our law firm at (877) 561-0000 to speak with a federal whistleblower attorney for a free, confidential consultation.
What are the Average Whistleblower Awards?
Medicare and Medicaid fraud whistleblowers receive hundreds of millions of dollars each year for exposing unlawful activity, in addition to saving lives and taxpayer money. Under the FCA, an intervened whistleblower lawsuit can result in a whistleblower reward of up to 25% of the total recovery, with an average False Claims Act intervened settlement of around $13 million. If the whistleblower proceeds and succeeds without the government’s intervention, the whistleblower award can be as high as 30% of the total amount recovered. Some states have statutes that may permit additional damages for a successful qui tam case. So, doing the math under the law of averages, for an average $13 million intervened case at a 20% relator share, the individual could potentially collect a $2.6 million whistleblower reward for doing the right thing the right way. Of course, your particular case could be worth more or less, or maybe nothing at all, which is why it’s important to speak with an experienced whistleblower law firm.
Our whistleblower lawyers at Brown, LLC work hard to maximize your whistleblower award if successful because we are only paid if you win your case.
Will I lose my job if I report Medicare Fraud?
There are rigorous protections against termination for whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, as well as prohibitions against any form of retaliation. Most whistleblower cases are initially filed confidentially and under seal, so your employer may not be aware of them for the first few years, which inherently adds a layer of protection. The federal whistleblower lawyers at Brown, LLC will help you understand the timetables and potential outcomes of your qui tam lawsuit.
Is there a time limit to file a Medicare & Medicaid Lawsuit?
Yes, there are strict timelines for filing whistleblower lawsuits, and only the first whistleblower to file may be entitled to an award. You are not only racing against the clock but also against other potential whistleblowers. If you’re concerned about being the first to file and need support, working with an experienced law firm like Brown, LLC is crucial. Our experienced attorneys can guide you thoroughly and assist you in making a confident and informed decision.
How do I file a qui tam lawsuit?
A qui tam lawsuit, also known as a whistleblower lawsuit, is generally filed under the False Claims Act (FCA) and requires a whistleblower attorney. The case must be filed under seal with proper notice given to the relevant government agencies on behalf of the whistleblower, also known as a relator.
Brown, LLC is one of the few firms in the country that has a federal whistleblower attorney division led by the storied and accomplished litigator Jason T. Brown, a former FBI Special Agent and Legal Advisor, who has been featured in Forbes and other high-profile news outlets. Our whistleblower team has handled multiple cases leading to settlements and judgments exceeding a hundred million dollars for the taxpayer and significant whistleblower awards for our clients. Given the complexity of whistleblower cases, it is essential to have an experienced whistleblower lawyer by your side to help present the strongest case and potentially litigate if the government passes on the case.
Other types of fraud that generate whistleblower awards?
Securities fraud: This occurs when companies seek to manipulate stock prices through false and misleading statements to investors, insider trading, churning accounts, charging excessive fees, and failing to provide best pricing. An SEC whistleblower lawyer can help you report these violations while potentially keeping your identity confidential throughout the process. Learn more about what to expect from an experienced SEC whistleblower attorney.
Commodities fraud: Addressed through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Whistleblower Program, this involves manipulations of commodity futures, options, and swaps that harm investors and consumers. If you have information about abusive or deceptive conduct by banks, financial firms, or other entities involved in the sale and exchange of commodities derivatives and other financial instruments, a CFTC whistleblower lawyer can help you secure a significant award.
Tax fraud: Reported to the IRS using an IRS whistleblower lawyer, this involves credible information about entities or individuals knowingly evading federal tax liability. If the underpayment exceeds $2 million, you may be entitled to a portion of the recovered amount. Additionally, if tax fraud occurs in New York, the New York False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to privately sue those who knowingly fail to pay state taxes on behalf of the government, potentially leading to major recoveries.
Money laundering: This occurs when money is routed through banks and other financial entities to conceal its source. The Anti-Money Laundering Act provides awards of up to 30% of the proceeds recovered in any judicial or administrative proceeding against a financial institution, business or other entity committing money laundering. One example of money laundering is in the cannabis industry, where banks and other entities have held or routed proceeds of marijuana sales, which, while legal in some states, remain illegal under federal law.
Examples of actionable vs. non-actionable whistleblower cases:
Actionable: You have insider knowledge that a hospital is providing kickbacks to non-employees for Medicare or Medicaid referrals. This is actionable under the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Non-Actionable: Your neighbor is receiving Medicare benefits despite not being eligible. This is not actionable under the False Claims Act because it lacks evidence of systemic Medicare fraud. Although the conduct may be criminal, it is unlikely to lead to a whistleblower award under the FCA. However, consulting with lawyers for whistleblowers who can provide legal advice may help you understand what constitutes actionable fraud and guide you through the potential steps to take.
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Whistleblower Tips
Identify the
False Claim
The crux of any qui tam whistleblower lawsuit is the “false claim,” which refers to the submission of materially false information to the government in order to receive payment. A defendant’s failure to follow government regulations or internal or administrative procedures usually does not by itself give rise to a False Claims Act violation. To prevail on your whistleblower claim, you must be able to articulate with specificity the false claim and how the defendant submitted that claim to be paid by the government.
Don’t interview witnesses yourself
Don’t talk to your co-workers or other potential witnesses about the fraud without first speaking to an attorney for whistleblower cases. By contacting others, you run the risk of alerting the fraudster or encouraging witnesses to blow the whistle first. If they file the case before you do, you may lose your right to recover because of the False Claims Act’s “first-to-file” provision. Speak with a whistleblower law firm about how to properly conduct the investigation, if appropriate.
Numbers matter
Although every case of fraud should be prosecuted, in practice, the government has limited resources and will always prioritize the bigger cases. As a general rule, the government is more likely to intervene in strong cases where the amount of fraud exceeds $5 million. Below seven figures, it is doubtful that the government will pursue the matter. Still, no matter what the extent of the fraud is, you should speak with a whistleblower claim attorney who understands whistleblower statutes and your rights.
Have realistic expectations
Fraud against the government is rampant, but the government intervenes in only a fraction of cases. And even if the government obtains a settlement or judgment, you will only be entitled to a percentage (usually 15% to 25%) of the total recovery. You should consult an attorney for a realistic assessment of the recoverable damages and the possible whistleblower award. Additionally, whistleblower litigation can take years to resolve and is often a test of patience and endurance. Don’t expect things to happen right away; there’s a lot of hurry-up-and-wait.
Seek professional advice from our team
Navigating statutes is complicated work. You need to comply with the pre-filing requirements of the False Claims Act and properly file the case under seal. If you don’t file the case properly, you may have inadvertently not blown the whistle, but instead, blown your chances of a recovery. Additionally, even after filing, missteps and incorrect decisions may damage a case beyond repair. You need to speak with a firm that focuses on qui tam litigation to maximize your chances of success. Another benefit of retaining an attorney is that you may be able to remain anonymous in some whistleblower actions. For example, with SEC matters, you can blow the whistle yourself, but you can’t remain anonymous without the use of a whistleblower protection attorney.
Educate yourself
Sometimes the fraud is so rampant that industry players treat it as normal business, as is often the case with healthcare fraud. For example, a medical facility may consistently upcode a procedure, leading you to believe that upcoding is an acceptable industry practice. It is not! That’s why it’s important to consult with a whistleblower lawyer who can educate you on what is lawful and what could be illegal.
Our firm is only paid if we win your case. We spend our time and money investigating the matter and if we don’t prevail, you don’t owe us anything at all. Call the whistleblower lawyers at Brown, LLC, 24/7 at (877) 561-0000 to help you work through the entire qui tam process so that you can be confident in making an informed decision based on your best interest. We protect the whistleblower.
Healthcare Fraud
Watch: Former FBI Special Agent and Head of the Firm, Jason T. Brown on How to Blow the Whistle on Healthcare Fraud.
The Right Way
Our whistleblower protection attorneys understand and admire the courage it takes to be a whistleblower. The head of our firm, Jason T. Brown, served as a former FBI Special Agent who fought against corruption and used his extensive skill set in undercover operations. As a private attorney, he has assembled a team of dedicated whistleblower lawyers, as well as other Department of Justice alumni, who zealously fight for those seeking to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.
Blowing the whistle right away provides a crucial public service and may make you eligible for a whistleblower award of up to 30% of the government’s total recovery. Over the past decade, every single year whistleblowers received over $100 million in aggregate rewards. However, if you blow the whistle incorrectly, your case could be compromised from the start. Therefore, it’s critical to discuss your options with a qualified whistleblower lawyer.
Have a Whistleblower Law Firm Led by a Former FBI Special Agent Assist You
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All cases involve Jason T. Brown and/or Brown, LLC. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.