How to Hire an Investigation Company Even if you do everything right – document the claim, interview your witnesses, follow workers' compensation best practices – there comes a time when you suspect fraud. Sometimes and internal investigation can yield enough data to either confirm your suspicions or validate the claim – other times, you need to bring in the big guns. You need to do your research before making the commitment to a company. Ten things to consider when hiring an investigation company: 1. Does this company have a good reputation? 2. Can they use surveillance when necessary? 3. What is the firm's policy on surveillance if the suspect is clearly not at home. For example, you may get a bill for five days of surveillance when it was clear your suspect was out-of-town. 4. What equipment do they have? Do they have, for example, a bag camera to follow someone into a store? 5. Not all work comp claims need surveillance – what methods of investigation do they use when surveillance is not necessary? (Find out what kind of data mining they use, for example.) 6. Use a company that has a lot of arrows in their quiver. Ask what your options are. 7. Is the company aware of the laws regarding surveillance in your area and in various situations? 8. Can they go undercover when needed? 9. What capabilities does the company have for on-site surveillance? (workersxzcompxzkit) 10. Can the company use hospital and pharmacy cameras? Is your suspect perhaps using multiple pharmacies or hospitals far from home and can this company document that?
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
CLICK to download Free Podcast: HOW TO CONTROL FRAUD, http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3 Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers' comp issues. ©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
