Convicted for filing a false workers’ comp claim
Here’s something I’ve never seen before: Someone was found guilty for filing a false workers’ compensation claim!
The claimant was involved in a motor vehicle accident the weekend before claiming he hurt his low back at work loading a truck. The medical records showed he gave inconsistent descriptions of how he was hurt. The BWC disallowed the claim. The fraud unit investigated. He pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud for filing a false claim. The judge ordered him to serve one year on probation and to pay $2,072.31 in investigation costs.
Thought #1: It’s a minor miracle that the BWC disallowed the claim.
Thought #2: The employer should have also been reimbursed for its costs in fighting the claim.
Thought #3: It’s a bad idea to call everyone who files a claim an “injured worker”. Let’s go back to the original term which was “claimant”.