To Collect Work Comp Lost Wages One Must Actually BE Out of Work

A man was arrested for allegedly filling for and collecting workers compensation benefits, while continuing to solicit and conduct business as a contractor.

The defendant is accused of collecting more than $68,500 in WC benefits after claiming a work-related back injury prevented him from working. According to the criminal complaint, the man was collecting benefits and doing work as contractor. Officials say he advertised and did home improvement work, landscaping and snow removal for an apartment complex. (WCxKit)

According to officials, the man was asked to complete “Verification of Employment” forms in order to continue receiving his workers comp payments. On those forms, he was asked, “Are you now employed?” and “Have you ever been employed or self-employed at any time while receiving workers compensation benefits?” He answered “no” to each of those questions.

In addition to the workers comp fraud charges, an additional charge state the man stole $3,000 from an elderly man. According to the criminal complaint, he installed a small patio roof on the gentleman’s home and quoted the customer $800 for the project. The man allegedly accompanied the elderly gentlemen to the bank and altered the victim’s withdrawal slip to read $3,800 instead of $800. (WCxKit)

The defendant is charged with three counts of workers comp fraud, two counts of theft by deception and one count of insurance fraud. Each count is a third-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

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, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.