J. Whitfield Larrabee
& Associates

Federal False Claims Act

As part of its commitment to the full range of employee rights, J. Whitfield Larrabee & Associates currently accepts "whistleblower" cases under the Federal False Claims Act. The False Claims Act gives people the right to file suit on behalf of the government against individuals and companies who have defrauded the government. If the suit is won or settled, the whistleblower (legally referred to as the "Qui Tam Relator") has a right to receive up to thirty percent (30%) of the recovery.

J. Whitfield Larrabee & Associates is currently soliciting cases involving defense procurement fraud at Raytheon Company and at other Massachusetts military contractors. The firm also invites consultation from health care employees aware of medicare or research grant fraud.

Cases are accepted on a contingency fee basis.

Tips For Whistleblowers

1. Time is of the essence

• Several requirements of the False Claims Act recommend prompt consultation with an attorney knowledgeable of the Act's provisions if you think you may have a case. Under the False Claims Act, the first whistleblower to file a claim is the only one who has a right to share in proceeds recovered for the government. Second, if the information on which the action is based is publicly disclosed prior to filing of the suit, the whistleblower loses his or her right to share in any money that the government recovers. Finally, the False Claims Act limits the time during which lawsuits must be filed. To avoid these pitfalls, it is best to act as quickly as possible.

2. Maintain the secrecy of your case

• Lawsuits under the False Claims Act are peculiar in that they are filed "under seal." This means that the public does not have access to the information on which the lawsuit is based until after the federal government has had an opportunity to investigate the claims set forth in the lawsuit. Conversations with your attorney are privileged and confidential by law and thus do not violate the secrecy requirement. However, if you tell anyone else about your claim, you could lose your right to share in any future recovery.

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Caution: Because of the risk of interception, any information that you wish to keep confidential should not be communicated via e-mail. E-mail sent out over a network owned by an employer may be the property of the employer and may be recovered through copies stored on the server under the employer's control.

Notice and Disclaimer: This page may be considered an advertisement under the rules of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The statements contained in this site are for informational purposes only, and should not be considered legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established through use of the materials on this site or through an initial consultation. You should only consider that an attorney client-relationship with J. Whitfield Larrabee & Associates is established upon execution of a written fee agreement.

© Whit Larrabee, All Rights Reserved 1999

This page has been visited times since January 1, 1999

cases excepted in all courts in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Eastern Massachusetts