There are many actions that can have negative impacts on companies’ profits. California business owners know that employee fraud is definitely an action that can affect the bottom line. A former janitor of a company in another state is awaiting sentencing after he was found guilty of filing a false workers’ compensation claim for a faked injury. In this case, the worker reportedly claimed for injuries suffered when an industrial-sized floor buffer landed on his chest.
This unusual accident raised suspicion, and, upon investigation, it was determined that the injury was staged. Two co-workers testified before a jury that they lifted the 200-pound buffer onto the janitor’s chest. By rocking the buffer around, they tried to cause an injury, and, when this failed, one of the workers pummeled the man’s leg and arm with a fist to create bruising. His two helpers reportedly entered guilty pleas on charges of accountability to workers’ compensation benefits theft earlier this year.
By the time the investigation was completed, the janitor had allegedly received $64,000 in workers’ compensation benefits. He was convicted on a felony charge and sentencing is scheduled for January. Fraudulent actions such as this can cause a business’s insurance premiums to escalate considerably, making an obvious impact on company profits.
California business owners may find that retaining the services of an experienced workers compensation attorney who focuses on protecting the interests of employers. A lawyer can assess claims to identify signs of employee fraud. In cases in which legal action is required, an attorney can provide the necessary guidance throughout any legal proceedings that may follow.
Source: workerscompensation.com, “Buffer Bamboozle Botched By Blatant Big Bozo Buffoonery”, Robert Wilson, Dec. 15, 2015
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