The Workers’ Comp Fraud Blotter Update a Selection of Interesting Cases
Nevada Man Sentenced for Insurance Fraud
What Happened
A worker was hit with a 2,000 pound roll of paper at work and was placed on permanent disability by doctors who said he was unable to work. The claimant told doctors and nurses he could not get around without a wheelchair or cane and he could not drive due to pain. He claimed he could not even fix his breakfast.
Nevada’s attorney general disagreed saying the worker portrayed himself as being homebound and needed help from a school-aged family member who stayed with him all day.
Videos taken by insurance investigators showed the defendant walking out of a store with a 24 pack of Pepsi and Coke and he was seen driving.
The employer paid nearly $246,000 in permanent workers’ compensation benefits to their employee.
What the Court Decided
The judge sentenced the defendant to 12 to 32 months in prison, but gave him probation for three years, meaning he will only serve a jail sentence if he breaks probation. In addition, he must do eight hours of community service per month and pay $6,700 in restitution and forfeits all future workers’ compensation benefits.
The AG’s office and Employers Insurance say this kind of fraud affects everyone as the cost of workers’ comp claims are spread across the premiums paid by all businesses. The more claims and payouts, the more it cost. In the end costs are passed on to every Nevada consumer. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Extracted: LasVegasNOW Eyewitness News
This blog originally appeared on the LexisNexis Workers’ Compensation Law Center.
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