Workers who are injured while on the job deserve to be protected. This is why workers’ compensation insurance exists in California. However, there are some instances where workers end up taking advantage of the system by fraudulently obtaining benefits. This can result in employee fraud charges being filed against a worker.
One former correctional officer has recently experienced this after being convicted of workers’ compensation fraud and larceny. The 42-year-old former police officer pleaded guilty to the criminal charges and is now awaiting sentencing. Apparently, the worker had suffered a knee injury while in the course of his employment with the local sheriff’s department. The man began working with the local sheriff’s department in 1997 before suffering the injury in 2000.
The worker underwent several independent medical examinations over a period of several years. The medical examiners determined that the man was permanently and completely disabled in 2006. This enabled the man to receive benefits which totaled more than the salary he earned as a correctional officer. However, it turns out the man was also running a car dealership while he was receiving benefits.
This resulted in the criminal charges being brought against the man. On the other hand, this type of situation can happen with any type of business or company in California. Therefore, it is always a good idea for employers to be particularly vigilant when it comes to injured worker claims. Working to reveal and prevent employee fraud can save a business significant amounts of money in the long run.
Source: businessinsurance.com, “Disabled corrections officer pleads guilty to workers comp fraud, larceny”, Sheena Harrison, June 1, 2015
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