Employment Law
When Workers Fake Injuries Part 1
Thousands of injuries transpire every year in American workplaces. Naturally, a small percentage of these reported injuries are dishonest. Unfortunately, some workers manipulate the system in order to be compensated for time away from the job. In this two-part article series, we will discuss many aspects of a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim. In the second section, we will discuss some of the ways to detect an illegitimate injury claim at your workplace. If you are an employer and need to consult with a legal expert that specializes in Florida workers’ compensation law, contact our law firm today.
False Claims Affect Businesses
By design, Florida workers’ compensation rules were created to provide employees that are injured on the job with insurance benefits that can support them while they are away from work recovering. Medical expenses and lost wages are the primary ways an injured employee is assisted during their recuperating process. When worker’s compensation claims are wrongfully distributed, these false claims are simply bad for business. Workers’ compensation causes premiums to increase, lower the working capital of a business, impact workforce wages, and also affect the consumer as businesses need to raise prices in order to recover lost profits.
What is the Worker’s Motive?
The primary reason why an employee files a bogus claim is that they essentially want “free money.” In some cases, they may have another source of income or a side business that they are trying to launch while receiving income from their workers’ compensation claim. An employee may go on a great trip “while recovering” or simply want paid time off. Many employees actually have an ailment; however, their injury is an old, lingering one from well before they worked at your business. Regardless, they desire treatment and file a claim. There are countless reasons why an employee could file a false claim.
Unethical Professionals
In many cases, a fraudulent claim is a team effort. For example, an allegedly injured employee will go to a medical clinic or chiropractor and seek unnecessary treatment, or the cost of the treatment will be blatantly overpriced. Whether the employee is misdiagnosed with an injury, the status of the injury is exaggerated, or the injury is completely made up, it’s a sad fact that many fraudulent claims are backed by plaintiff’s attorneys and questionable medical practitioners. Unfortunately, in some cases, the money-making scheme of a fraudulent claim stretches far beyond the employee claiming they are injured.
If you are interested in learning more about Florida workers’ compensation law, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.