California Whistleblower Lawyer: False Claims Act & Qui Tam Explained

Exposing Fraud at Work in California: Your Rights Under the False Claims Act

What should you do if you discover fraud at your workplace in California and how much could you be owed for reporting it?

If you’ve discovered fraud in your workplace, whether it’s overbilling the government, falsified documents, or shady contractor practices, you may have more power than you think. Under the California False Claims Act, whistleblowers who are the first to report fraud involving public funds could be entitled to a significant reward, often up to 25% of what the government recovers. But these cases are complex and the risks are real.

At Dolan Law Firm, we help California employees, contractors, and competitors report wrongdoing safely, protect themselves from retaliation and recover what they’re owed.

Who Qualifies as a Whistleblower in California?

• An employee who reports workplace fraud

• A contractor or third-party vendor who has been defrauded

• A competitor with inside knowledge of misconduct

To qualify under the False Claims Act, the information must:

• Be reported first (before it becomes public)

• Involve fraud or misuse of government funds

• Be submitted properly, often through a legal filing known as a qui tam lawsuit

What Are Qui Tam Lawsuits and Whistleblower Rewards?

Qui tam lawsuits allow individuals to sue on behalf of the government when fraud involving public money is discovered.

If successful, the government can recover millions and the whistleblower receives a reward of 15–25% of that amount. These cases can involve:

• Healthcare billing fraud

• Defense contractor overcharges

• Construction fraud on public projects

• Financial fraud or tax fraud

How California Protects Whistleblowers from Retaliation

California Labor Code section 1102.5 and other laws protect whistleblowers from being fired, demoted, or punished for doing the right thing.

If you're retaliated against, you may be entitled to:

• Reinstatement

• Double back pay

• Emotional distress damages

Dolan Law Firm Recovered $20 Million for a Whistleblower

We co-counseled the landmark case of Williams v. Wyndham, where our client, Patricia Williams, was wrongfully fired after exposing fraud targeting elderly timeshare customers. The jury awarded her $19,999,999.76, one of the largest individual employment verdicts in California.

Watch the full news story below to see how our team stoop up for whistleblower justice and won one of the largest employment verdicts in California history via ABC 7. 

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

Act fast. The first to report may be the only one eligible for legal protections and financial rewards.

The attorneys at Dolan Law Firm will:

• Evaluate whether your case qualifies

• Help you report the fraud confidentially

• File your case strategically

• Protect you from retaliation

• Fight for your financial recovery

Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.