Frequently Asked Questions

At the Simmons Law Firm, we believe information is the most powerful weapon you can have. It’s natural to have questions, particularly about complex issues involving the federal government.  Please contact us with any further questions on qui tam you may have. 

• How much will it cost for the Simmons Law Firm to evaluate my case?
• Who can file a qui tam case?
• How long will my qui tam case take from start to finish?
• How does the government decide whether or not to intervene?

How much will it cost for the Simmons Law Firm to evaluate my case?
The Simmons Law Firm will review and evaluate your case at no charge.  Upon completion of our review we will discuss with you the merits of your case and whether or not we have mutual interests in pursuing this matter.

Feel free to ask us any question you have regarding your potential claim, the False Claims Act, or about the Simmons Law Firm as a firm. One of our responsibilities is ensuring you have the necessary information to make an informed, confident decision.

Who can file a qui tam case?
An individual with personal knowledge of someone who knowingly submits or causes to be submitted false claims to the federal government.

How long will my qui tam case take from start to finish?
The length of time for a qui tam case varies depending on the facts of your case, the length of time it takes the government to decide whether or not they will intervene, whether or not the government intervenes and whether the case settles prior to trial.  Therefore, your case could take anywhere from a matter of months to years.  The median length of time for a case where the government has intervened is approximately 38 months.  However, these cases have been resolved as quickly as 4 months and have taken as long as 187 months.  

How does the government decide whether or not to intervene? 
The Department of Justice makes this determination. Unfortunately there is no published criteria which identifies what factors are evaluated.  Historically certain areas have seen higher intervention rates than others, specifically the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense.  This is not completely unexpected as these two areas represent roughly 80% of all the cases that are filed.

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