Thirteen people from eight New York counties have been arrested on charges that they cheated New York's workers compensation system, often by working side jobs while collecting benefits for injuries they pretended left them physically unable to work.
The series of arrests follow investigations by the New York State Insurance Departments Frauds Bureau, along with investigators from the Workers Compensation Board Office of the Fraud Inspector General, the New York Insurance Fund, insurance company special investigative units and local law enforcement agencies. (WCxKit)
The cases range from a Steuben County woman accused of fraudulently collecting $10,000 in benefits while running a ceramic supply store to a Schenectady man who claimed a job-related injury prevented him from working but was caught on videotape doing odd jobs.
Workers comp is designed to compensate people for lost wages after they suffer a job-related injury. It is also used to pay for medical care and rehabilitation for workers hurt on the job. Individuals must be legitimately unable to work to receive compensation.
Frauds Bureau investigators say people who illegally double-dip are often discovered in routine insurance company audits. In other cases, co-workers, and even relatives, have been known to turn them in.
The 13 recent arrests resulted in a range of charges which, in the event of convictions, could lead to sentences of up to seven years in prison. (WCxKit)
In some cases, individuals were charged with workers comp fraud, while in other cases, the charges included grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing.
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. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact:[email protected] or 860-553-6604.
WC IQ TEST: http://www.workerscompkit.com/intro/
WORK COMP CALCULATOR: http://www.LowerWC.com/calculator.php
SUBSCRIBE: Workers Comp Resource Center Newsletter
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.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact [email protected].
