We contributed to the Fraud and Abuse Chapter of the Health Law Handbook, 2024-2025 Edition. In the portion of our content, titled “Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Update,” we outlined regulatory developments, key court decisions and noteworthy settlements related to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law. Continue Reading Fraud and Abuse Chapter of Health Law Handbook, 2024-2025 Edition

On August 22, the United States filed its complaint-in-intervention (Complaint) against the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and Georgia Tech Research Corp. (GTRC, collectively, defendants), asserting claims that the defendants knowingly failed to meet cybersecurity requirements in connection with certain Department of Defense (DoD) contracts in violation of the False Claims Act.Continue Reading United States Files First Complaint Under the Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative

On May 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a False Claims Act (FCA) trial verdict in part, holding that the judgment was not constitutionally excessive under the Eighth Amendment. Continue Reading Seventh Circuit Upholds FCA Judgment Against Constitutional Challenge, Avoids Causation Circuit Split

On February 8, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ruled that a $487 million False Claims Act (FCA) damages award entered last year against Precision Lens and its co-founder violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on excessive fines and ordered the judgment reduced by more than half. Continue Reading District Court Finds that $487 Million False Claims Act Judgment Violates Eighth Amendment

On August 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held, as a matter of first impression, that damages in False Claims Act cases are subject to pro tanto (dollar-for-dollar) settlement offsets in cases involving multiple jointly and severally liable defendants.
Continue Reading D.C. Circuit Holds that False Claims Act Damages Must Be Reduced Dollar-for-Dollar by Other Defendants’ Settlements

Having previously examined the falsity, materiality, and scienter elements of the False Claims Act (FCA) in our FCA Fundamentals series, we now turn to what damages can arise from violations of the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act imposes liability for each false claim. If the alleged scheme is broad, pervasive, or spans an extended period, this can result in many individual false claims and significant damages and penalties. It is essential for defendants to scope damages and consider potential exposure throughout a False Claims Act case, which often requires an expert consultant.
Continue Reading False Claims Act Fundamentals: Damages

The final months of 2021 saw a flurry of noteworthy False Claims Act (FCA) activity. Among other developments, appellate courts issued important decisions concerning materiality, the government’s qui tam dismissal authority, and the application of the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause. The fourth quarter also brought news of several significant settlements, including a group of eight- and nine-figure resolutions of alleged Anti-Kickback Statute violations by pharmaceutical manufacturers and the latest example of a private equity firm paying a substantial sum to resolve FCA allegations leveled against one of its portfolio companies.

This post summarizes key developments from the year’s final quarter and identifies important takeaways for healthcare providers and government contractors.Continue Reading False Claims Act Decisions and Settlements to Know from Q4 2021