Qui Tam Lawyer
A qui tam lawyer represents whistleblowers — known in the law as “relators” — who file suit on behalf of the government against those who defraud it, and who are entitled to share in whatever the government recovers. At Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison, PLLC, we help people make that decision with clear eyes: whether they qualify, what coming forward will mean for them, and how to do it in a way that protects both their reward and their future.
“Qui tam” comes from a centuries-old Latin phrase describing someone who sues on the king’s behalf as well as their own. The idea has barely changed: the government can’t fight fraud it can’t see, so the law deputizes the people who can (and rewards them for it).
What It Means to Be a Relator
A relator isn’t a witness or a tipster. You are, in effect, the plaintiff, standing in for the United States to recover money that was stolen from public programs. That’s a serious role, and it carries real leverage, because your firsthand knowledge is the engine of the entire case.
Most relators are ordinary professionals who reached a breaking point: a nurse who couldn’t keep quiet about phantom charges, a billing manager told to keep coding a certain way, a sales rep who watched a company push a drug for uses it knew were unsafe. None of them set out to sue anyone. They simply knew something the government needed to know, and decided to act on it.
Do You Qualify to Bring a Qui Tam Case?
You don’t need a law degree, a title, or even current employment with the company. What matters most is the nature and source of your knowledge:
- You have specific, firsthand information about fraud against a government program — not a hunch, but details.
- You’re an “original source.” The law generally bars cases built only on fraud that’s already been made public (the “public disclosure bar”). If you independently know the facts — or materially add to what’s public — you can still bring the case.
- You file before anyone else does. Only the first relator to file on a particular fraud can recover, so timing matters.
- You act within the deadline. Qui tam cases carry a statute of limitations, and waiting can foreclose your claim.
U.S. citizenship is not required, and you don’t have to be the only person aware of the potential fraud. If you’re unsure whether your knowledge qualifies, that’s exactly the kind of question a short, confidential call can answer.
What's Actually at Stake for You
People considering this step usually have two questions: what do I stand to gain, and what do I stand to lose? Both deserve honest answers.
The reward. A successful relator receives 15% to 30% of the government’s total recovery. Because defendants face triple damages plus per-claim penalties, the underlying recoveries are frequently large, and so are the awards.
The protection. Federal law makes it illegal for an employer to fire, demote, or harass you for bringing or supporting a qui tam case. If they retaliate, you may be entitled to reinstatement, double back pay, and additional damages.
The discretion. Your case is filed under seal, so it stays confidential while the government investigates. Your employer doesn’t learn of it from the court, and we work to protect your identity throughout.
We’re also candid about the commitment: these cases take time, often one to three years, and they ask for patience. Knowing that going in is part of making a sound decision.
What a Qui Tam Lawyer Does That You Can't Do Alone
A relator can’t simply file paperwork and wait. The value of experienced counsel shows up at every turn: crafting the confidential disclosure that persuades the Department of Justice to take interest, navigating the seal and the first-to-file rule, preserving evidence lawfully, managing the government relationship, and fighting over your percentage at the end, where the difference between 15% and 30% can be enormous.
How you choose that lawyer matters. Look for a practice that concentrates on whistleblower cases, will tell you honestly when a case isn’t strong enough, and treats your confidentiality as non-negotiable from the first conversation.
We meet all three standards, and we work on a contingency basis. There’s no fee to talk, and no fee unless we recover.
Why Whistleblowers Trust Report Healthcare Fraud
We devote our practice to representing relators in fraud against government health programs. We’ll help you understand whether you qualify, what the road ahead looks like, and whether your information is strong enough to act on before you commit to anything. Every conversation is confidential.
Considering coming forward? Start with a free, confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand your options as a relator with no pressure and no record of your inquiry shared with anyone.
Qui Tam Lawyer FAQs
It’s shorthand for a Latin phrase meaning roughly “he who sues on behalf of the king as well as for himself.” Today it refers to a lawsuit a private whistleblower brings on the government’s behalf under the False Claims Act, sharing in any recovery.
Almost anyone with specific, firsthand knowledge of fraud against the government — current or former employees, contractors, competitors, and others. U.S. citizenship isn’t required, and you don’t have to be the only person who knows.
A rule that generally prevents qui tam cases based only on fraud that’s already public. You can still proceed if you’re an “original source” — meaning you independently know the facts or add materially to what’s already known.
Generally, the first relator to file is the one entitled to pursue the case and the reward. When multiple people are genuinely involved in a single filing, the share can be allocated among them. This is one of many reasons to get counsel and file early.
The law protects you from retaliation for bringing a case in good faith, and the seal keeps your case confidential during the investigation. We’ll also discuss practical steps to protect your professional standing before you take any action.