Thanks to the actions of Whistleblowers, the U.S. Government recovered more taxpayer monies from fraud in 2010 than in any previous year. Often risking jobs and personal safety, Whistleblowers assisted the U.S. Government with the recovery of 3 billion dollars of taxpayer dollars from fraud during the fiscal year, 2010.

Of the 3 billion in settlements and judgments obtained in 2010, over 2.3 billion was recovered in lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act's qui tam provisions. Under these provisions, whistleblowers (known as "realtors") -- many of who face considerable personal risk in coming forward with allegations of fraud, are entitled to recover between 15 and 30 percent of the proceeds of a successful suit. In 2010, realtors were awarded 385 million dollars.

Whistleblowers risk job, family and sometimes life to assist the government and they are the primary weapon the government has in going after fraud. The majority of the monies recovered were in the area of health care fraud. The office of personnel management, department of defense and department of veterans' affairs made other areas of recovery.

Who Are These Whistle Blowers?

Since 1986, when Congress strengthened the qui tam provisions, recoveries in qui tam cases have exceeded 18 billion, and realtors have obtained more than 2.8 billion in awards. Whistleblowers are usually ordinary people, often-longstanding employees and experts in their field, who take huge professional and personal risks to blow the whistle on corporate and government wrongdoing. They are often a lesser-known but vitally important part of government and industry regulatory and advisory systems. They are generally harassed, vilified, and fired or forced to resign.

Dr. Jonathan Oberg, a former employee of the Department of Education discovered that four student loan companies were improperly inflating their claims for government subsidies in violation of the False Claims Act. As a result of a whistleblower suit filed by Dr. Oberg, the Justice Department recovered fines totaling 57.75 million. The False Claims Act allows citizens who file whistleblower suits resulting in the recovery of taxpayer money to share in the recovery. As his share of the recovery, Dr. Oberg was paid a total of 16.65 million.

If you believe you have information to disclose a wrongdoing or a fraud contact an attorney first. You need to protect your safety, your legal rights and be assured that you receive a percentage of any recovery due to your disclosure of a fraud. If a serious injury or death occurred, contact the BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyers and talk with them before you talk to anyone else. Call 866-594-7392. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Question: My wife signed an Insurance Verification/Financial Agreement which we have a copy at a physical therapy office. Physical therapy office modified this signed form without our knowledge. We have a copy of this modified form without our consent.

Answer: If the form has been modified after you signed it, they will not be able to hold you to the modifications at a minimum and depending upon the changes, it may void the document entirely.

Your inquiry and my response are no substitute for a full consultation with a knowledgeable attorney regarding your rights and options. I do not advise taking action in the case of serious matters based upon this response. Additional facts and circumstances can make a significant difference in your rights and obligations.

Question: Hi, I had my car totaled last Monday while it was parked in front of my house. I have been customizing it and the Blue Book value is around $5000 to $7000 plus I have modifications and receipts. The car is used for work and it has caused me stress and stomach problems. I have the other person's insurance information and my insurance company is only offering $4400. I want to go after the other person's insurance company. Due to the stress and the problems I have been having, I need help. I need to get another $6000 in order to pay for my new car. I based everything off of current value and receipts. I believe i deserve much more than $4400.

Answer: Sue the negligent driver for $7,500 in small claims court (replacement value of your car plus sales tax on replacement value plus unused portion of your registration fee). Sue the driver, not his insurance company. You are not entitled to anything for stress or stomach problems.

Question: So there is nothing I can due to the stress of the situation and the fact that I now have to have a payment and I do not have money for a down payment and financial hardships. It has impacted me and my job. It seems like there should be something. The driver was not licensed and the owner said he could drive it I have a police report also. It seems that since the driver was fully insured I should be able to get more from them

Answer: If this was a "personal injury" rather than "property damage" your stress would be part of the "pain & suffering" you could recover for. The person responsible for the damage to your personal property is responsible for the costs to repair or replace your property. If your property was business property and negatively effected your income, than the responsible person may be responsible for the lost income.

Your inquiry and my response are no substitute for a full consultation with a knowledgeable attorney regarding your rights and options. I do not advise taking action in the case of serious matters based upon this response. Additional facts and circumstances can make a significant difference in your rights and obligations.

Keep in mind that every attorney you consult with will have different opinions, different approaches and different criteria for the causes they take up. It never hurts to get second opinions. Also, keep in mind that every legal claim has time limits within which specific action must be taken to preserve your rights. Failure to properly comply with the time limits will terminate your rights. Generally personal injury claims have a two year statute of limitations. However, claims against governmental agencies (like school districts and cities) must be properly filed within 180 days and a lawsuit filed within 180 days of denial of claim. There are exceptions.