Whistleblower Attorney in Sheepshead Bay, NY
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Qui Tam Attorney Sheepshead Bay
Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers receive 15-30% of what the government recovers. We’ve seen settlements reach billions of dollars, meaning your reward could change your life completely.
You’re not just reporting fraud—you’re becoming a partner with the federal government in stopping theft of taxpayer money. The law specifically protects you from retaliation, and we make sure those protections work.
Every successful qui tam case starts with someone who had access to the right information and the courage to act. Your insider knowledge combined with our legal expertise creates a powerful combination that fraudsters fear.
False Claims Attorney Brooklyn
For 20 years, we represented companies like Pfizer, Texaco, Citibank, and Sony as partners in one of the country’s largest corporate law firms. We argued cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and worked with the smartest lawyers in America.
Now we use that same high-level experience to help individuals in Sheepshead Bay and throughout Brooklyn. You get the same aggressive, sophisticated representation that Fortune 500 companies receive—but we’re fighting for you.
We understand this neighborhood and the people who live here. Many of our Sheepshead Bay clients work in healthcare, government contracting, or other industries where they witness fraud firsthand. We know what you’re facing and how to protect you.
Whistleblower Law Process
First, we meet confidentially to evaluate your information. Nothing you tell us goes anywhere without your explicit permission. We determine if you have a viable False Claims Act case and explain your options completely.
If you decide to proceed, we prepare and file your qui tam complaint under seal in federal court. The government gets 60 days (often extended) to investigate and decide whether to join your case. During this time, your identity stays protected.
Whether the government intervenes or not, we’re prepared to fight for your maximum recovery. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win. Our job is to turn your knowledge into the strongest possible case while keeping you protected every step of the way.
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Retaliation Attorney New York
New York’s whistleblower laws got significantly stronger in 2022. You now have two years to file retaliation claims, expanded damages including punitive awards, and broader protection that covers former employees and independent contractors.
In Sheepshead Bay’s tight-knit business community, we understand that retaliation concerns are real. Healthcare workers at local facilities, employees of city contractors, and others who witness fraud worry about their careers and reputations.
The law is on your side, but you need experienced representation to make those protections work. We’ve helped clients recover millions while keeping their identities confidential and their careers intact. Your employer cannot legally fire, demote, or harass you for reporting fraud—and we make sure they don’t.
How much money can I receive as a whistleblower in New York?
Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers typically receive 15-25% of the government’s recovery if the Department of Justice intervenes in your case, or 25-30% if they don’t intervene but you still win. Recent settlements have reached billions of dollars, with individual whistleblowers receiving tens of millions.
The exact amount depends on several factors: the total fraud amount, how much the government recovers, your role in developing the case, and whether other whistleblowers are involved. We’ve seen healthcare fraud cases result in $400 million settlements and defense contractor cases reach even higher amounts.
Your percentage is guaranteed by federal law—it’s not negotiable or discretionary. Once we establish the government’s total recovery, your reward is calculated automatically based on the statutory formula.
What types of fraud can I report under qui tam law?
The False Claims Act covers any fraud against federal programs or contracts. The most common cases involve healthcare fraud like Medicare and Medicaid billing schemes, pharmaceutical companies promoting drugs for off-label uses, or hospitals performing unnecessary procedures.
Defense contractor fraud is another major area—companies overcharging the military, using defective materials, or falsifying test results. We also handle cases involving federal grants, research funding fraud at universities, customs and import violations, and federal loan programs.
In New York, you can also report tax fraud under the state False Claims Act if the violator has income over $1 million and damages exceed $350,000. The key is that taxpayer money must be involved—either through federal programs, contracts, or tax obligations.
Will my employer find out that I filed a whistleblower case?
Your qui tam complaint is filed “under seal,” meaning it’s kept completely confidential while the government investigates. Your employer won’t know about the case during this period, which typically lasts 60 days but often extends much longer as the investigation continues.
Eventually, if the case proceeds, your identity may become public when the seal is lifted. However, federal law strictly prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, and New York’s laws provide additional protection with expanded remedies including punitive damages.
We work carefully to protect your identity as long as possible and ensure you’re fully prepared for each stage of the process. Many cases settle before becoming public, and even when they don’t, the strong anti-retaliation laws mean your employer faces serious consequences for any adverse action against you.
Do I need to report the fraud to my employer first?
No, the False Claims Act doesn’t require you to report internally before filing a qui tam case. In fact, internal reporting can sometimes hurt your case by alerting the company to cover up evidence or by triggering the “public disclosure” bar that could disqualify your claim.
However, some situations are different. If you’re a government employee or work for certain regulated industries, other whistleblower laws might require internal reporting first. New York’s Labor Law Section 740 has specific requirements about when you must give your employer notice.
We carefully analyze your specific situation to determine the best strategy. Sometimes internal reporting strengthens your case by creating a paper trail, but other times it’s better to go directly to filing your qui tam complaint. The key is timing and strategy—that’s why you need experienced counsel from the beginning.
How long does a whistleblower case take to resolve?
Qui tam cases typically take 2-5 years to resolve, though some complex cases can take longer. The timeline depends on several factors: how quickly the government investigates, whether they intervene, the defendant’s cooperation, and the complexity of the fraud scheme.
After you file under seal, the government has at least 60 days to investigate, but they usually request extensions. If they intervene, they take the lead and cases often move faster toward settlement. If they decline, you can still pursue the case, but it typically takes longer.
The good news is that successful cases often result in substantial settlements rather than trials. Defendants usually prefer to settle once the evidence is clear, especially when facing treble damages and civil penalties. We keep you informed throughout the process and fight for the fastest resolution possible while maximizing your recovery.
What happens if the government doesn't join my whistleblower case?
If the Department of Justice declines to intervene, you can still pursue your case independently—and your potential reward actually increases to 25-30% of any recovery. However, these cases are more challenging because you’re essentially taking on large corporations or institutions without government resources.
Many law firms abandon cases when the government declines, but we have the experience and resources to continue fighting. We’ve successfully handled non-intervened cases and understand the strategies needed to win without government support.
The government’s decision not to intervene doesn’t mean your case lacks merit. They might decline due to resource constraints, other priorities, or strategic reasons that don’t reflect on your case’s strength. We evaluate each situation independently and advise you on the best path forward based on the evidence and potential recovery.
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