Francis C. Oroszlan, Brett Barnett and Timothy Fry, for McQuireWoods:
Generally, a complaint will survive a motion to dismiss if it states a plausible claim and allows a court to reasonably infer the defendant’s liability for the allegations made therein. Merely reciting the elements of a cause of action followed by a general statement of liability is insufficient. Further, where a complaint alleges claims under the FCA, Rule 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Rule 9(b)”) applies and requires that the complaining party “state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b). As noted by the court, Rule 9(b) imposes a more exacting pleading standard and requires the complaint to allege facts as to time, place, and substance of the defendant’s alleged fraud, specifically the details of the defendant’s allegedly fraudulent acts, when they occurred, and who engaged in them.” (Citing Hopper v. Solvay Pharms., Inc., 588 F.3d 1318, 1324 (11th Cir. 2009)).