Workers' Compensation Fraud

Workers' compensation fraud takes many forms and costs employers and insurance companies millions of dollars every year.

2012-08-23

August 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) Workers' compensation insurance is designed to provide compensation for workers injured in job-related activities. Workers' compensation fraud is many sided and can be committed by employees, employers, doctors and attorneys,

On the employee side, it occurs when claims are made for injuries that don't exist, are the result of non-employment incidents or are falsely exaggerated.

On the medical or doctor side, fraud can result from doctors or other health care providers who overbill or use non- existent procedures merely to run up the bill to maximize their revenue.

On the employer side, fraud can be the result of lying to the insurance carrier about payroll, employee job descriptions or the number of covered employees.

In any of its forms, fraud is serious criminal activity with serious consequences to any party.

Common Employee Fraud and Employer Response

Employees who report a fake injury, lie about a prior and similar injury or fail to reveal that prior injury commit a common fraud. Often, the injury may be the result of activities that are not work related, such as an injury from yard work over the weekend that is reported on Monday as having occurred on a job.

Beyond the original injury itself, employees commonly commit fraud when they conceal the fact that they are working while collecting disability payments for being unable to work.

Employers who suspect that a worker is faking an injury or the severity of the injury to collect prolonged or greater benefits should not act unilaterally. Terminating a worker during a protected leave or while on disability, such those provided by workers' compensation, FMLA or ADA, is fraught with danger. A business should carefully evaluate any disciplinary actions and consult with an experienced workers' compensation attorney before taking any action.

Workers' Compensation Fraud Is Big Business

Workers' compensation fraud affects a significant part of the economy. Between 2009 and 2010, California district attorneys prosecuted 1,300 cases involving more than $300 million in workers' compensation fraud. The Fraud Division of the California Department of Insurance estimates that potential losses due to workers' compensation fraud were greater than one billion dollars during that period.

With so much money at stake, businesses that suspect fraud or are seeking to defend against it should work with an expert attorney who understands workers' compensation fraud cases and is able to offer advice regarding what may be needed.

Fraud by employees and other businesses should be reported to insurance carriers, the California Department of Insurance or the County District Attorney's Workers' Compensation Fraud Division. Fraud of any kind makes it difficult for all legitimate business to operate and successfully compete in the marketplace.

Article provided by Sacks & Zolonz, LLP
Visit us at www.szcomplaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Highway Traffic Fatalities on the Rise in Missouri

2012-08-23

Missouri has seen 62 more traffic fatalities during the first half of 2012 than it saw during the same period in 2011. What is drawing attention to the spike is that this is the first such increase in six years. In response, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has launched a public service campaign urging drivers to pay attention, obey traffic laws and buckle up. Most of these fatal motor vehicle accidents have been concentrated in the central and southern part of the state in areas like Springfield and Joplin, which together saw a 59 percent increase. However, not all ...

Oregon Man Charged With Measure 11 Crime Vindicated in Stabbing Presents Prime Example of Self Defense

2012-08-23

Things turned ugly last year when a fight erupted at a party in a remote corner of Clatsop County. High on drugs and alcohol, 31-year-old Jeremy Peat punched Air Force veteran Scott Brandon, 27, in the face. After pulling out a can of mace in an attempt to defuse the situation Brandon was knocked down to the ground and attacked. Peat became enraged and started punching Brandon repeatedly in the face, breaking his nose and severely injuring him. Far outmatched by a much larger opponent, Brandon did the only thing he thought might stop the beating: he pulled a four inch ...

British Airways Doubles Winter 2012 Frequency Between Dublin and London Heathrow

2012-08-23

British Airways has announced it is to double the number of flights between Dublin and London Heathrow on its service this winter. Following the acquisition of bmi by International Airlines Group (IAG), British Airways now operates this important air link after taking over the route at the end of June. The changes will take place when the airline introduces its winter 2012 schedule and launches a new timetable which sees the number of daily services increase from four to eight return flights, enabling it to offer thousands more seats a week between both cities. The ...

British Airways Announces New Flights to Sri Lanka from London Gatwick

2012-08-23

British Airways is launching a new route to Sri Lanka from London Gatwick next year. The three-times-a-week service to the capital city Colombo will start on March 31, 2013 and will be operated by a Boeing 777 with three cabins including Club World with fully flat beds. Flights, which are now on sale, will operate via Male in the Maldives with a flying time of just over 12 and a half hours. Silla Maizey, British Airways managing director Gatwick, said: "This is such an exciting new route for us. The UK has the second largest number of tourists visiting the ...

McCusker and Company Launches Extended Warranty Protection for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

2012-08-23

McCusker & Company, a leading worldwide provider of extended warranty services, announced today a new extended warranty program for electric vehicle charging stations. Broadening its leadership in the consumer and industrial electronics industry, the new eco-friendly program will help support the rapid expansion and adoption of electric vehicles across the country. "This places our company at the forefront of supporting the infrastructure needs for the next generation of consumer vehicles," said McCusker & Company Chief Executive Officer Will L. McCusker. ...

Korean Language Websites Now Fully Supported by zvelo

2012-08-23

zvelo, a leading URL database provider for OEMs, has announced full URL categorization support for Korean language websites. zvelo's AutoCategorization (AutoCat) engine utilizes proprietary, artificial-intelligence technologies backed by quality assurance from a team of multi-lingual Web Analysts to categorize billions of new URLs across dozens of languages each day. "We've seen a significant surge in Korean language website queries to our URL categorization systems," explains David Duncan, zvelo's Vice President of Engineering. "As these new sites come ...

Ronald Olson Joins MARK SYSTEMS As Senior Consultant; Former CFO for Master Builder, Multiple Home Builders

2012-08-23

MARK SYSTEMS is pleased to announce that Ronald S. Olson will be joining the company effective September 10th as a Senior Consultant specializing in implementation processes and accounting management services. Mr. Olson served as Controller and CFO for a number of successful California area home builders beginning in 1997, where he specialized in the selection and implementation of ERP software for those companies. Prior to that, Mr. Olson was Controller / CFO for OMware, Inc. of Sebastopol, CA, developer of the Master Builder construction management software products. ...

Orion Systems Integrators, Inc. Named to Inc. 5000 List for Third Consecutive Year

2012-08-23

Inc. magazine today ranked Orion Systems Integrators, Inc. #2026 on its sixth annual Inc. 500/5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy--America's independent entrepreneurs. Orion Systems Integrators, Inc. joins Yelp, yogurt maker Chobani, Giftcards.com, KIND and famed hatmaker Tilly's, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list. "This is a true testimony to the dedication, commitment and focus of the entire Orion Team. ...

Energetix Corporation Hires Dr. Sheron Ponnambath as Homeopathy Research Assistant

2012-08-23

Energetix Corporation, a life sciences company, is delighted to announce the recent hire of Dr. Sheron Ponnambath. Dr. Ponnambath will direct Energetix' homeopathy research and development as well as its homeopathy educational efforts. Dr. Ponnambath is a second generation homeopath from southern India. Dr. Ponnambath earned a degree in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from Calicut University in Kerala, and she lectures regularly on homeopathic principles, including advanced courses on the Materia Medica and Repertory. Dr. Ponnambath is also an expert on regulatory ...

InterMapper Announces the Release of Version 5.6. Now Smarter, More Reliable and Easier to Use

2012-08-23

Dartware, a leading provider of network monitoring, mapping and alerting software, today announces the immediate availability of version 5.6 of InterMapper (http://www.intermapper.com/products/intermapper/whats-new.aspx) -- now including enhanced auto-discovery, better control of data and a friendlier interface. InterMapper's trusted solution helps optimize network uptime, reduce risk and alert the network administrator of impending issues before network impact. Taken as a whole, the new capabilities make the InterMapper network monitoring tool smarter, more reliable ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

World’s leading science competition identifies 19 breakthrough solutions around the globe with greatest potential to tackle the planetary crisis

Meta-analysis finds Transcendental Meditation reduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms across populations and cultures

AACR: Five MD Anderson researchers honored with 2025 Scientific Achievement Awards

How not to form a state: Research reveals how imbalanced social-ecological acceleration led to collapse in early medieval Europe

DDT residues persist in trout in some Canadian lakes 70 years after insecticide treatment, often at levels ten times that recommended as safe for the wildlife which consumes the fish