What is a sealed claim?

A sealed claim is a type of whistleblower law recognized by the state of California. This law, also known as the California False Claims Act, allows whistleblowers to file legal claims against a company, organization, or government body they feel has committed fraud or misuse of state funds. In order to file a sealed claim in California, the whistleblower must work with a lawyer and provide detailed evidence of their allegations. Once this evidence is gathered, the lawyer will file the claim with the appropriate court and the claim will be “sealed,” meaning it is kept secret from the public. The reason the claim is kept confidential is to protect the whistleblower and the evidence they have provided. If the whistleblower’s identity is known and the evidence comes to light, the accused party may use it against the whistleblower or attempt to intimidate them. This confidentiality also protects any investigations that may be happening from being leaked to the public. The sealed claim process is designed to protect whistleblowers and to allow them to come forward without fear of retribution. If the claim is successful and the defendant is found guilty of fraud or misuse of funds, the whistleblower may be eligible for a percentage of the money recovered by the state.

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What is a sealed claim?

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