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Khorrami Pollard & Abir LLP March 2009 Newsletter
KPA Monthly Update

In This Issue

Qui Tam Actions-An Overview
New FMLA Regulations: What Employers Need to Know About the Final Rule
Maintaining Moral in a Troubled Economy
 
Qui Tam Actions-An Overview
By RENUKA V. JAIN, ESQ.
In 1863, Congress enacted the civil False Claims Act, also known as Lincoln's Law, in response to allegations of fraud on the government during the Civil War. Until 1986 the Act was relatively toothless and seldom used. Then, in 1986, Congress amended the Act to strengthen the incentives for private citizens to expose fraud. The potential for sharing as much as 30 percent of the treble damages and mandatory penalties available under the Act made qui tam enforcement enticing for private plaintiffs or "qui tam relators." The term "qui tam" is derived from a Latin phrase, "qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso," or "who pursues this action on our Lord the King's behalf as well as his own." As a result of the 1986 amendments qui tam claims greatly increased, netting the United States more than $21 billion in the years after the amendments.
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New FMLA Regulations: What Employers Need to Know About the Final Rule
By MARYAM DANISHWAR, ESQ.
In the midst of an economic recession where many businesses are forced to cut back on programs and downsize in personnel, companies are now faced with complying with the new regulations that implement the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). The new regulations took effect January 16, 2009, and are the first significant changes to the Act since 1993.
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Maintaining Moral in a Troubled Economy
By BRANDON SMITH
Everyday seems to bring new worries and fears about the growing recession. Daily headlines speak of the plummeting stock market, foreclosures, the unavailability of credit, and mass layoffs. As society continues to re-adjust to the worsening realities, employee morale is sure to deteriorate. As employers, managers, or supervisors it is our responsibility to maintain a high level of morale while not breaking our budget or compromising our ability to effectively lead our organizations through these turbulent times.
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