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A qui tam lawsuit is a case brought under the False Claims Act by a private individual (the "relator") on behalf of the U.S. government against a person or company defrauding federal programs. If the case recovers funds, the relator can share in the recovery. The term comes from a Latin phrase describing someone who sues on behalf of the government as well as themselves.

You begin by meeting with an intake counselor, who listens in confidence to what you've witnessed and helps determine whether you may have a viable case. From there, we align you with the attorney best suited to your situation and type of fraud. Unlike simply filing a tip with a government office such as the OIG (Office of Inspector General), we connect you with dedicated legal representation and fund the case — so you can pursue a qui tam claim at no cost to you.

Generally, anyone with original, non-public knowledge of fraud against the government — often employees, contractors, or insiders who witness it firsthand. You typically must be the first to file on that specific fraud, with information not already public. You do not need to have been personally harmed.

The False Claims Act includes strong anti-retaliation protections (Section 3730(h)). Your employer cannot legally fire, demote, harass, or otherwise retaliate against you for lawfully reporting fraud. If retaliation occurs, remedies can include reinstatement, double back pay, and compensation for damages.

Under the False Claims Act, a relator may receive 15–30% of the funds the government recovers. The exact share depends on factors like whether the government joins the case and how much the relator contributed. In large cases, awards can reach into the millions.

Cases vary widely, but many take several years from filing to resolution. They begin under seal while the government investigates, and that period alone can last a year or more. Complex healthcare fraud cases often take longer.

Common examples include billing for services never provided, upcoding, kickbacks for referrals, false certifications of medical necessity, and phantom or "ghost" patients. Tariff and customs fraud can also qualify. In general, if a company knowingly caused the government to pay for something it shouldn't have, it may qualify.

Yes — qui tam cases must be filed through an attorney; relators cannot pursue them on their own. Equitable Claims connects you with experienced False Claims Act attorneys who typically work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless the case succeeds.

Equitable Claims finances the legal process behind a qui tam case so strong cases can move forward without upfront cost or financial risk. There are no retainers, hourly fees, or out-of-pocket costs to you. Our attorney partners work on contingency and are paid only if the case recovers funds.

Qui tam cases are filed "under seal," meaning the case and your identity are kept confidential from the defendant while the government investigates. This seal period lets investigators review the claim privately. Confidentiality at this stage is a core protection of the False Claims Act.

If the government declines, you and your attorney can still choose to pursue the case independently. Many successful cases proceed without government intervention, though it can be more challenging. Declination does not automatically mean a case lacks merit.

Citizenship is generally not required — what matters is having credible, original knowledge of fraud against the U.S. government. Non-citizens have successfully served as relators. An attorney can confirm how the rules apply to your situation.

Reporting to an agency like the OIG is a tip — it alerts authorities but generally doesn't entitle you to a reward or a role in the case. Filing a qui tam lawsuit makes you the relator in a formal legal action, which can entitle you to a share of any recovery plus anti-retaliation protections. The two paths can differ significantly in confidentiality and award eligibility.