Whistleblower Litigation Trends

The Federal Government Recovered $4.7 Billion in 2016 and $3.7 Billion in 2017

In 2016, the federal government recovered $4.7 billion from qui tam and government-initiated suits under the False Claims Act. This is the third highest annual recovery in False Claims Act history, bringing the average to nearly $4 billion since 2009, and the total recovery during that period to $31.3 billion. In 2017, the federal government recovered $3.7 billion through litigation under the False Claims Act, and of that total amount, $3.4 billion was recovered in lawsuits initiated by qui tam relators.

Whistleblowers Received $519 Million in 2016 and $392 Million in 2017

In 2016, whistleblowers filed 702 qui tam lawsuits, an average of 13.5 new cases every week. The federal government recovered $2.9 billion in these and earlier filed whistleblower suits that resolved during 2016 and awarded the whistleblowers $519 million out of those recoveries.

In 2017, whistleblowers filed 669 qui tam lawsuits, an average of 12 new cases every week. The federal government recovered $3.4 billion in these and earlier filed whistleblower suits that resolved during 2016 and awarded the whistleblowers $392 million out of those recoveries.

Whistleblowers Received $6.6 Billion Between 1987 and 2017

The number of whistleblower lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act has grown significantly since the amendments to the law in 1986. Between 1987 and 2017, whistleblowers have collectively received nearly $6.6 billion in awards from the federal government’s recovery through qui tam False Claims Act litigation.

Recoveries increased significantly during the Obama administration, from January 2009 to the end of fiscal year 2016, as the government recovered nearly $24 billion in settlements and judgments related to qui tam suits and paid more than $4 billion in whistleblower awards during that time.

Government Intervention: The Department of Justice Intervenes in Approximately 1 out of 5 Cases Filed by Whistleblowers

Most sources estimate that the federal government intervenes in approximately 18 – 22% of the qui tam cases that are filed, and that the government “success rate” dwarfs that of relators who pursue declined cases. It is difficult to find accurate statistics about the percentage of interventions or dollars attributable to intervened cases, however, for several reasons.

First, it is not uncommon for the government to intervene on some, but not all, claims in a case. Although most people would count that as an intervention, some might count it separately as a partially intervened and partially declined case.

Second, sometimes the government only intervenes as to one or several – but not all – defendants, but a relator might pursue the declined defendant. Although the dollars can be tracked quite clearly, the percent of cases deemed intervened versus declined is trickier.

Finally, it is not uncommon for the government to decline to intervene when a case is first unsealed, but then change course sometime further down the road. Indeed, if a case is showing positive results through discovery or motion practice, that increases the likelihood that the government will intervene, even if only at or near the time of settlement. Although most people will count that as an intervened case, it obviously skews the statistics about what dollars are recovered through intervened as compared to declined cases, especially if the intervention only occurs when a case is already well on its way to a settlement. Roughly speaking though, it is fair to say that the Department of Justice intervenes in approximately one out of five cases that are filed by private relators.

No Fees Without Recovery

Berger Montague’s Whistleblower, Qui Tam & False Claims Act Group litigates cases on a contingent fee basis, so whistleblowers do not pay attorneys’ fees unless there is a recovery.

Contact a Whistleblower Lawyer

Do you need a whistleblower lawyer or do you want to know more about qui tam law?

There are three easy ways to contact our firm:

1. Use the Request A Free Consultation form on this page.
2. Email [email protected]
3. Call (844) 781-3088

Your information will remain confidential while we evaluate your potential claims and we will work with you to protect your rights.