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Unanimous Supreme Court Cabins Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.27.15

The Supreme Court on Tuesday handed down KBR v. U.S. ex rel. Carter, in which it unanimously reversed the Fourth Circuit's interpretation of the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act, whose text, structure, and history all show it to be limited to criminal offenses—it does not toll the statute of limitations on civil FCA cases. The Court also unanimously affirmed the Fourth Circuit's interpretation of the FCA's first-to-file bar, and thus resolved a split with the D.C. Circuit, by holding that a qui tam complaint that has been dismissed is no longer "pending" within the meaning of the bar and, therefore, will not preclude future, related actions.


Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 03.05.26

Fifth Circuit Decision in Health Care Fraud Case Highlights Importance of Careful Drafting in Civil RICO Complaints

A recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Co. v. 1st Choice Accident & Injury, LLC, No. 24-20275 (5th Cir. Feb. 24, 2026), offers important lessons for health care payors and other potential plaintiffs considering civil claims under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Although the Fifth Circuit’s decision focused on a procedural issue, the underlying case turned on a fundamental pleading failure: the plaintiff insurers did not adequately describe the fraudulent network they were suing as a RICO “enterprise.” The result was dismissal of a $14 million fraud case....