Philadelphia Qui Tam Lawyers

Are you a Philadelphia employee who suspects your employer is committing fraud against the government? The Philadelphia qui tam lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. represent whistleblowers like you under the False Claims Act (FCA)—a federal law that empowers employees to take legal action on behalf of the government to recover taxpayer funds lost to fraud.

Our Philadelphia law firm is committed to protecting employee whistleblowers across Southeastern Pennsylvania.

What Is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?

A qui tam lawsuit is a civil case filed by an employee or insider who uncovers false or fraudulent claims made by their employer against the government. As a whistleblower, you can bring a lawsuit in Philadelphia federal court on the government’s behalf to stop fraud and recover lost funds.

Under the FCA, whistleblowers may receive a percentage of recovered damages, typically between 15% and 30%. Most importantly, federal and Pennsylvania laws offer strong protections for employee whistleblowers, shielding you from retaliation, wrongful termination, harassment, or discrimination for coming forward.

Common Employment-Related Qui Tam Cases in Philadelphia

Philadelphia employees have exposed fraud in many industries that contract with government programs, including:

• Healthcare Fraud:

Philadelphia’s healthcare providers participate in programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Employee whistleblowers often report:

• Overbilling for services not rendered.
• Upcoding procedures to increase payments.
• Illegal kickbacks for referrals.
• False certifications regarding medical products or services.
• Government Contractor Fraud:

Employees working for Philadelphia-area contractors may report fraud involving:

• Misrepresentation of product or service quality.
• Inflated costs or false information during bids.
• Failure to fulfill government contract obligations.
• Environmental and Regulatory Fraud:

Employees may also reveal violations such as:

• Noncompliance with environmental laws.
• Failure to report hazardous violations to authorities.

Examples of Employment Fraud Under the False Claims Act

Philadelphia employees filing qui tam lawsuits have reported a range of fraudulent practices, such as:

• Submitting false billing statements to government agencies, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Defense.
• Fraudulent invoices submitted to Philadelphia or Pennsylvania government departments.
• Marketing unapproved drugs or medical devices within Pennsylvania healthcare facilities.
• Contractor fraud on Philadelphia-area government infrastructure projects.
• Covering up environmental violations affecting communities in Philadelphia and the region.

Who Can File a Qui Tam Lawsuit in Philadelphia?

Anyone with direct knowledge of fraud against the government can become a whistleblower. This most often includes employees who witness misconduct at Philadelphia-area companies, but can also include contractors, vendors, or competitors with inside information.

Filing a qui tam lawsuit in Philadelphia federal court helps ensure accountability and integrity in government programs that serve Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

Legal Protections for Employee Whistleblowers in Philadelphia

If you report employer fraud, several laws protect you from retaliation:

• Philadelphia False Claims Act: Specifically protects whistleblowers exposing fraud against the City of Philadelphia, offering financial rewards and strong anti-retaliation protections, including protection from wrongful termination, demotion, or harassment.
• Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law: Extends protection to employees in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania in both public and private sectors. It prohibits retaliation such as firing, harassment, or discrimination.
• Federal Protections for Employees:
  • The Sarbanes-Oxley Act safeguards employees of publicly traded companies from reporting fraud.
  • The Dodd-Frank Act offers protections and rewards for whistleblowers in the financial sector.
  • The Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees reporting government misconduct.

Damages Available to Philadelphia Employee Whistleblowers

Successful qui tam lawsuits can recover damages for employees, including:

• Lost wages and back pay due to retaliation or wrongful termination.
• Emotional distress compensation for stress and mental anguish caused by retaliation.
• Damages for lost future earnings and harm to career reputation.
• Punitive damages to deter egregious employer misconduct.

Our Philadelphia qui tam attorneys fight to maximize your recovery and protect your workplace rights.

Statute of Limitations for Filing Qui Tam Lawsuits in Philadelphia

You must file your qui tam lawsuit within strict deadlines:

• Within six years of the fraudulent act, or
• Within three years of discovering or reasonably should have discovered the fraud, but
• No more than 10 years after the violation occurred.

Missing these deadlines can bar you from filing or receiving whistleblower rewards. The Gold Law Firm P.C. ensures timely filings and protects your rights every step of the way.

Contact Our Philadelphia Qui Tam Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. for More Information

If you’re a Philadelphia employee who suspects your employer is defrauding the government, don’t wait. Contact our experienced Philadelphia qui tam lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. for a free, confidential consultation. Call us at 215-569-1999 or reach out online today. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients in South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lehigh County, Montgomery County, and Cherry Hill.