Statute of Limitations

Time Limits Under The False Claims Act

If you have information about fraud, you may be able to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government under the False Claims Act and receive a portion of any recovery. However, you should keep an eye on the clock. You have limited time to start your case before it could be barred by the False Claims Act’s statute of limitations or “first-to-file” rule.

Whistleblowers Win One in Supreme Court with Clarification on Statute of Limitations for False Claims Act Actions

In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the Supreme Court affirmed that the False Claims Act’s statute of limitations applies in the same manner to all whistleblower-initiated actions, regardless of whether the United States has intervened in the action or not.  The decision resolves a three-way split among the federal circuit courts. In the underlying litigation, U.S. ex rel. Hunt v. Cochise...

SEC Reaffirms its Policy of Reduced Awards for Tardy Whistleblowers

Last Friday, the SEC announced an award of more than $1.5 million to a whistleblower who "provided the SEC with vital information and ongoing assistance that proved important to the overall success of an enforcement action." SEC Press Release. This brings to 58 the total number of awards under the SEC Whistleblower Program, amounting to $322 million in whistleblower recoveries. Of course, following the SEC's strict...