The U.S. False Claims Act has a “first to file” rule for all whistleblower cases. This is exactly what it sounds like; the first person to come forward with information is the person eligible to receive compensation should the case go forward.

If you have information you believe would uncover fraudulent behavior or an effort to financially deceive the federal government, you may be eligible to receive a monetary award for bringing evidence about the scam to light. However, if someone else gets to a qualified lawyer first, and reveals knowledge of the fraudulent behavior, they will be first in line to get compensated.

So, What Should You Do?

Gather your evidence. In a whistleblower case, undeniable facts – dollars and cents – win the day. While it’s important to move fast so you are the first to file, doing so without credible evidence will come back to bite you. Besides, a qualified lawyer who understands the intricacies of a whistleblower case may not assist you if you aren’t able to present enough evidence to show cause of action.
Move quickly, but not so quickly that you aren’t being careful about your actions. In other words, no need to rush. Get your information together and contact a skilled, experienced qui tam lawyer who will review your evidence and help you determine if, indeed, you have a whistleblower case.
Choose the right lawyer. Crafting a winning, convincing case is a critical component to qui tam success. It takes a lawyer who knows these complicated laws to get the job done well. Contact Begelman & Orlow today for a consultation about your case.
Next, it’s time to wait. Once you file your case, you have to know these things don’t move ahead quickly. The government first must make a decision about whether to join your complaint or not. The government’s investigation into your allegations could take months or even years to complete. When it comes to the qui tam process, patience is most definitely both a virtue and a necessity.

The knowledgeable qui tam lawyers at Begelman & Orlow want to hear about your whistleblower case. We will help you collect the evidence needed to bring a lawsuit and convince the government to join the complaint. Call us today for a free consultation.