Worker's Comp Fraud Could Cost You
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The saying that you've heard - that you're not paranoid if people really are following you - is never more true than when you're out on workers compensation.
Saskatchewan resident Shawn Pawliuk was a very bad Mixed Marshal Arts fighter, listing his record as 0 and 5, lasting only 21 seconds in his last bout before being knocked out. He was even worse at lying to the workers compensation insurance company, from which he claimed he was so hurt by a back injury he sustained at work that he couldn't possibly work.
Three of his five MMA bouts were during the time he alleged he was too badly hurt to work. But really, how hurt do you have to be to collect workers comp disability payments and what is the legal standard?
Workers compensation fraud occurs when someone willfully makes a false statement or conceals information in order to receive workers compensation benefits. So anytime you say you are more hurt than you really are, you are committing insurance fraud. If you are released to work light duty, you have to report that income so your payments can be adjusted.
Workers compensation insurance companies and employers now make home visits, employ video surveillance, and check to see where else you're getting paychecks while out on leave. Mr. Pawliuk has just lost another fight - this one, in court, for workers comp fraud - and it's a fight you don't want on your record either.
