North Carolina False Claims Act – Qui Tam Whistleblower
North Carolina passed the state False Claims Act in 2009. The North Carolina False Claims Act was modeled on the federal False Claims Act, as is true for many of the 29 states that maintain their own state False Claim Act laws. It provides for establishing recourse for governments subject to fraud or loss and provides protections and rewards for whistleblowers. Filing a claim on behalf of the North Carolina government is known as a “qui tam” lawsuit.
North Carolina False Claims Act
The North Carolina False Claims Act allows individuals to bring a case on behalf of the state or local government to recover from an act of fraud. The “relator” is the individual bringing the claim. You can proceed with a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the state and receive part of any recovery. North Carolina does not allow state employees to be relators if they gained the knowledge during government employment. The claims must be new and a claim cannot be made for publicly known fraud.
After filing a claim, the government will investigate the claim and evidence. A relator or whistleblower need not have all the evidence as an investigation can uncover new evidence or witnesses. The lawsuit is filed under seal.
North Carolina False Claim Act Penalties
The North Carolina False Claims Act allows for penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 per violation. Additionally, attorneys’ fees and costs as well as treble damages can be recovered. For example, if someone defrauded a North Carolina state or local government agency of $200,000 through 2 violations, he/she could face a total penalty of up to $622,000.
I Have a North Carolina False Claims Act Claim
If you believe you have knowledge of a wrongdoing affecting the state or local governments of North Carolina, contact the experienced whistleblower qui tam lawyers of Schneider Wallace at 1-800-689-0024 or info@schneiderwallace.com.. An experienced attorney can review your claim to determine if you have original private information of a wrongdoing and are able to proceed with a qui tam lawsuit.
North Carolina provides protections against retaliation for whistleblowers under their statute.
North Carolina False Claim Act Rewards
North Carolina whistleblower rewards can be up to 30 percent of the recovery, plus attorney fees and costs. This reward is to recognize the extra work by the relator and their qui tam attorney to take the case to conclusion, with or without government legal assistance.
Schneider Wallace works on a contingency fee basis, so whistleblowers do not need to spend their own money to hire a qui tam lawyer or to file a claim. Schneider Wallace only recovers fees and costs if they secure a whistleblower reward for a client.
North Carolina False Claim Act Rules
The North Carolina False Claim Act law establishes these liabilities:
- § 1-607. False claims; acts subjecting persons to liability for treble damages; costs and civil penalties; exceptions.
North Carolina’s False Claim Act establishes these rights to qui tam lawsuits:
- §1-609. Rights of the parties to qui tam actions.
North Carolina False Claims Act Statute of Limitations
The North Carolina False Claims Act allows for claims up to six years from the time of the act. Any claim made for actions taken more than six years in the past would be beyond the statute of limitations.
A company or person may commit multiple violations. If a company is incorrectly billing the government for over a decade, the violations that have occurred within the last six years can still be subject to a claim.
North Carolina False Claim Lawyer
Schneider Wallace represents North Carolina whistleblowers. Schedule a consult with our false claim lawyers for a free and confidential consultation. Contact us at 1-800-689-0024 or info@schneiderwallace.com.