No matter the color of the collar, white, blue, pink, whether its employers or employees, professional or non-professional, well-educated or not — everyone seems take a turn at workers’ compensation fraud and scams.
Chiropractor Charged in Alleged Workers’ Comp Scam
A California chiropractor and a retired human relations manager were charged in court last week with allegedly conspiring with one another to commit fraud against three workers going back to November 2005.
The chiropractor faces seven counts of workers’ comp fraud and the HR manager faces eight counts. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The men, along with an area physician’s assistant, were charged in 2007 with insurance fraud, accused of covering up employee injuries to avoid paying workers’ comp costs at a pair of Salinas businesses.
$24K Fine Against Landscaping Firm for Alleged Illegal Workers Violations
After conducting audits at 550 firms the state Office of Immigration Worker Compliance has cited 16 businesses for violations of the new law requiring verification of workers’ legal status. All but one, a landscaping firm, corrected alleged violations.
According to the Department of Labor, the landscaping business is accused of failing to verify the legal status of 24 workers hired after July , 2009. The maximum penalty per violation is $1,000. On Aug. 11, 2009 the company was fined $4,250 for violations of the immigrant worker law, according to the immigration office.
Two days later, the company president reportedly certified the business complied with the law governing illegal aliens, and the fine was dismissed. On October 20, 2009 the company was again cited for allegedly failing to verify the status of 24 workers and fined $24,000. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Since the second citation occurred within two years of the initial the $24,000 penalty cannot be adjusted even if a good faith compliance effort is shown. However, the company can appeal the citation within one month to an administrative law judge.
“FRAUD PREVENTION” PODCAST click here: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3
By: Private investigator with 25 years experience.
WC Books: http://www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/workers-comp-books-manuals.php
TD Calculator: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent 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
