Kansas City
Whistleblower Attorney

Experienced Whistleblower Fraud Lawyers Serving Kansas City, MO

Siro Smith Dickson PC has represented whistleblowers in civil fraud actions and employment retaliation claims for more than 45 years. Our firm brings decades of combined experience advocating for individuals who expose fraud against the government and unlawful conduct by employers.

Leadership in False Claims Act & Qui Tam Cases

Our lead partner on civil fraud and Qui Tam matters, Eric Smith, trained and practiced in Washington, D.C. at a major international law firm that focused on federal False Claims Act litigation. His work centered on complex fraud cases involving the military, defense, and healthcare industries, providing a strong foundation for representing whistleblowers nationwide.

Our Kansas City whistleblower attorneys routinely handle cases involving:

• False or inflated claims submitted for government payment
• False statements used to obtain government contracts
• Fraud designed to avoid payments owed to federal or state agencies

If you are aware of this type of misconduct, our whistleblower lawyers can help you evaluate your legal options.

Whistleblower Compensation Under the False Claims Act

Under the federal False Claims Act, a whistleblower (known as a qui tam relator) may receive 15% to 30% of the amount recovered by the government in a successful action.

In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, the United States Department of Justice recovered more than $5.6 billion through civil fraud and false claims cases. These recoveries underscore both the importance of whistleblowers and the government’s commitment to pursuing fraud.

Protection Against Retaliation for Whistleblowers

Whistleblower laws also protect employees from retaliation. In most situations, it is illegal for an employer to:

• Force an employee to participate in unlawful activity
• Fire, demote, or otherwise retaliate against an employee for reporting misconduct

These protections apply whether you report illegal conduct internally to upper management not involved in the wrongdoing, or externally to appropriate state or federal authorities.

Talk to a Kansas City Whistleblower Attorney

If you have experienced a retaliatory firing, demotion, or other adverse job action after reporting illegal or discriminatory business practices, our Kansas City whistleblower lawyers are ready to help. We can evaluate your claims and explain your rights under federal and state law.

You can also review some of our results in whistleblower cases to learn more about our experience and track record.

Whistleblower Claims

Federal and state laws protect individuals who report illegal activity or refuse to participate in unlawful conduct. You may have a whistleblower claim if you report violations of the law to a government agency or to company leadership and suffer retaliation as a result.

Importantly, whistleblower protections are not limited to current employees. Depending on the statute involved, current employees, former employees, and even non-employees may be protected. Whistleblower claims may arise from reporting:

• Government fraud or false billing
• Mishandling of hazardous or toxic substances
• Violations of tax or securities laws
• Discrimination in education or denial of access to public facilities

In some cases, the law not only protects whistleblowers from retaliation but also provides financial rewards for reporting misconduct.

What is a “Qui Tam” Lawsuit?

The term “qui tam” is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase, “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which translates to “he who sues in this matter for the king as well as for himself.” In the context of U.S. law, a qui tam lawsuit empowers a private citizen, known as a “relator” or whistleblower, to bring a legal action on behalf of the government to recover funds lost to fraud.

Essentially, when you file a qui tam lawsuit, you are not just representing yourself; you are also acting as a representative of the United States government in combating fraud against taxpayer dollars.

Who Can File a False Claims Act Lawsuit (Qui Tam Action)?

Any individual with non-public knowledge of fraud being committed against the government can potentially be a whistleblower (relator) in a False Claims Act lawsuit. You do not need to be an employee of the person or entity committing the fraud to bring a claim. This broad eligibility encourages individuals from various backgrounds to come forward and expose wrongdoing.

Types of Fraud Under the False Claims Act

The False Claims Act (FCA) is a powerful tool to combat a wide range of fraudulent activities targeting government programs and funds. Our firm investigates and pursues claims in numerous industries, including but not limited to:

• Healthcare Fraud:
  • Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
  • Pharmaceutical Fraud
  • Medical Equipment Fraud
  • Opioid Prescription Fraud
  • Telemedicine or Telehealth Fraud
• Government Contracting Fraud:
  • Defense/Military Contractor Fraud
• Financial Fraud:
  • Finance, Banking, and Mortgage Fraud
  • Securities Fraud
  • Accounting and Finance Fraud
  • Education Fraud
  • Cybersecurity Fraud

Penalties for False Claims Act Violations

Defendants found liable for civil fraud against the U.S. government under the False Claims Act face severe penalties, including:

• Treble Damages: Three times the amount of damages the government sustained due to the fraudulent act.
• Civil Penalties: Significant fines for each false claim submitted.
• Attorneys’ Fees and Costs: The defendant is typically responsible for the whistleblower’s legal fees and associated costs.

Whistleblower Rewards & Anti-Retaliation Protections

The False Claims Act incentivizes whistleblowers by offering a share of the government’s recovery. A relator can receive between 15% and 30% of the amount recovered by the government through a successful qui tam action.

Crucially, the Federal False Claims Act also includes strong anti-retaliation provisions. These protections prohibit employers from discriminating against any individual who is involved in, provides testimony for, or assists with a False Claims Act investigation or lawsuit. This safeguards whistleblowers from adverse employment actions for exposing fraud.

If you have knowledge of fraud against the government, understanding your rights and the potential for a qui tam lawsuit is crucial. Contact an experienced False Claims Act attorney to discuss your specific situation confidentially.