2017 Statistics Again Show Massive Recoveries In False Claims Act Cases

Newly released statistics illustrate that 2017 brought continued False Claims Act enforcement.

The Department of Justice announced that it recovered more than $3.7 billion from all False Claims Act cases in fiscal year 2017. The government's total exceeded $3 billion from FCA matters for the eighth year in a row, and the figure has exceeded $1 billion for 17 of the last 18 years.

Beyond the continued massive recoveries, DOJ's statistics also reveal other notable trends. First, while slightly less than 2016, the total recovery exceeded 2015, 2013, and every year prior to 2012. Thus, while certain years have dipped, the general trend has remained a continual increase.

Second, the health care sector again represented the majority of recoveries. This year, $2.4 billion in settlements and judgments involved the health care industry, including drug companies, laboratories, hospitals, pharmacies, and physicians.