Articles and Blogs

Federal courts are showing diminishing tolerance for perpetual False Claims Act (“FCA”) litigation. Years-long seal periods, one-sided discovery and serial amendments are wearing thin. The Fifth Circuit’s recent decision in United States ex rel. Gentry v. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Pearland, L.L.C., 157 F.4th 758 (5th Cir. 2025) (“Gentry“) reflects this shift and... READ MORE

On January 16, 2026, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that it recovered a record-breaking $6.8 billion in False Claims Act (“FCA”) related settlements and judgments in the 2025 fiscal year. The 2025 recovery amount more than doubles the previous year’s recovery of $2.9 billion and marks the highest recovery in a single year... READ MORE

In U.S. ex rel. Wilkerson v. Allergan, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Court”) recently ruled that “but-for” causation is required for liability under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) resulting from alleged Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”) violations. This opinion aligns with the First, Sixth and Eighth Circuits, which deviated from the... READ MORE

In United States ex rel. Feliciano v. Ardoin, a pro se relator filed a qui tam action under the False Claims Act (“FCA”). On February 4, 2025, the D.C. Court of Appeals (the “Court”) affirmed a district court’s dismissal ruling that a pro se litigant cannot allege violations of the FCA. In doing so,... READ MORE

In United States ex rel. O’Connor v. USCC Wireless Investment, Inc., relators filed a qui tam action under the False Claims Act (“FCA”). On February 11, 2025, the D.C. Court of Appeals (the “Court”) affirmed a district court’s ruling that (1) a previous lawsuit had raised substantially the same allegations, triggering the FCA’s public... READ MORE

On February 14, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (the “Court” or “Fourth Circuit”) issued a significant ruling in United States ex rel. Rosales v. Amedisys North Carolina, clarifying how the first-to-file rule applies to qui tam actions under the False Claims Act (“FCA”). The Court determined that the... READ MORE

In United States of America ex rel. Cheryl Taylor v. Healthcare Associates of Texas, LLC, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Court”) upheld a jury verdict finding Healthcare Associates of Texas, LLC (“HCAT”) liable under the False Claims Act (“FCA”). However, in a significant ruling for health care providers... READ MORE

On February 21, 2025, the Federal District Court for the District of Maryland (“the Court”) issued a nationwide preliminary injunction pausing three provisions contained in two of President Trump’s Executive Orders (Executive Orders 14173 and 14151). The plaintiffs challenged three specific provisions in the Executive Orders by arguing that each was likely to be... READ MORE

In the opening days of his second term, President Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders covering a wide swath of public and private activity. One such executive order (the “Order”), entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” addresses diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) programs in the federal government, as well as... READ MORE

On January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (“CMS”) new 60-Day Rule became effective. The 60-Day Rule states several changes, with some changes significantly impacting False Claims Act (“FCA”) liability. Background CMS’s 60-Day Rule is a regulation under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) that requires health care providers and suppliers to... READ MORE