How Much Do False Claims Act Whistleblowers Get Paid?

For most people who consider reporting fraud against the government, the struggle isn’t about ethics — it’s about the personal and professional fallout that may follow.

Concerns about retaliation, career damage or being singled out for simply telling the truth are real. It’s also natural to ask practical questions: What happens after I come forward? How will I be protected? And is there a whistleblower reward if my information leads to a recovery?

Federal whistleblower protection laws exist precisely because coming forward carries risk. The False Claims Act not only protects whistleblowers from retaliation but also financially rewards whistleblowers whose information leads to successful enforcement actions. The act has been in existence since the Civil War, when it was created in response to defense contractor fraud.

What is a Whistleblower Award?

Employees, contractors, vendors and others with knowledge of fraud against the government can work with an attorney to file a whistleblower lawsuit, also called a qui tam lawsuit. Private citizens who successfully bring qui tam actions may receive a portion of the government’s recovery, or whistleblower award.

Whistleblower award programs incentivize individuals with original, non-public information about fraud against the government to come forward. Examples of wrongdoing include:

• Billing Medicaid/Medicare for unnecessary urine, genetic and psychological testing.
• Underpaying rebates to the Medicaid program.
• Provision of home health services to patients who are not homebound
• Providing kickbacks to induce Medicare/Medicaid/TRICARE patient referrals, including the use of copay subsidies and the payment of kickbacks to physicians in the form of speaker honoraria, speaker training fees and opportunities to invest in testing labs.

The Department of Justice obtained a record $6.8 billion in settlements and judgments involving fraud in fiscal year 2025. Of the total, over $5.3 billion was recovered from cases originated by whistleblowers’ qui tam suits, and $5.7 billion was related to healthcare fraud.

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What is the average whistleblower payment?

In 1986, Congress strengthened the False Claims Act by increasing incentives for whistleblowers to file lawsuits alleging false claims on behalf of the government. When a qui tam action is successful, the whistleblower, also known as the relator, typically receives a portion of the recovery. This ranges between 10% and 30%.

The size of monetary awards for whistleblowers depends on several factors, including:

• Whether the whistleblower’s allegations were publicly disclosed
• The quality and usefulness of the whistleblower’s information
• Whether the government intervened to take over the whistleblower’s case
• How involved the whistleblower was in the case

How Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel Maximizes Whistleblower Recoveries

Our team routinely works alongside federal and state enforcement teams throughout all phases of FCA litigation. That sustained involvement often plays a critical role when award percentages are determined. As a result, our whistleblower clients often receive the recoveries at the higher end of what’s permitted under the statute. When we feel our clients deserve more, we know how to advocate on their behalf and prevail.

Examples of Whistleblower Payouts:

• In 2021, private equity firm H.I.G. Capital LLC, its subsidiary, H.I.G. Growth Partners LLC and two codefendants agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations over claims submitted to MassHealth. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel’s whistleblower client received the maximum recovery from both the state and federal governments.
• In a 2025 settlement, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel’s client was awarded a 22% share of the government’s recovery.

Our Ongoing Commitment to the FCA

For more than 150 years, the False Claims Act has served as one of the government’s most powerful tools to combat fraud. We are committed not only to enforcing the statute, but to safeguarding its integrity—through ethical advocacy and collaboration with government partners.

Standing Up to Fraud Against the Government

At Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, our Dallas, Texas, whistleblower attorneys have spent over two decades representing individuals who bravely report fraud—from false billing and kickback schemes to government contract abuse. If you’ve witnessed fraud committed against the government, our firm can help you take a stand and protect your rights under the False Claims Act.