Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who become ill or are injured while performing duties within the scope of their employment. Unfortunately, an employee may intentionally misrepresent or exaggerate their injuries to obtain benefits they are not entitled to. If you suspect workers’ compensation fraud, it’s in your best interest to contact the skilled Connecticut Private Detectives at Advanced Investigations who can gather evidence to verify the legitimacy of a claim.
What is Workers’ Compensation Fraud?
Workers’ compensation fraud occurs when a claimant, an employer, or a healthcare professional lies to gain compensation, more funds than their claim is worth, or benefits. There are several reasons why workers’ compensation is an easy crime to commit, prompting many to attempt it. The primary reason people commit workers’ compensation fraud is to receive money they wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for due to a work-related injury or illness. Some examples of workers’ compensation fraud include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Claiming an injury that was never sustained
- Exaggerating the severity of an injury
- Staging an injury
- Working while on leave and still collecting benefits
- Working a side job while still collecting benefits
- Failure to follow the doctor’s recommended treatment plan to prolong benefits
What Methods Do Private Investigators Use?
When it comes to workers’ compensation fraud investigations, surveillance plays a critical role. Private investigators will surveil the persons of interest, tracking their whereabouts, interviewing friends and co-workers, and even scrutinizing social media accounts to find evidence that contradicts the workplace injury claimed. They will look for inconsistencies between a claimant’s state injuries and their observed activities in public. For instance, if an employee claims they cannot work because of a back injury, but their social media account shows them engaging in activities that require a lot of movement, this can be used as evidence to deny the claim.
In addition, a private investigator can perform background checks which can reveal an individual’s history of filing previous workers’ compensation claims, potentially indicating a pattern of fraudulent activity or a propensity to file exaggerated claims. If a worker has a history of pursuing workers’ compensation claims or has such cases against multiple employers, the private detective can use this as evidence that the claim is unjustified.
Without a proper investigation, workers’ compensation fraud could continue going on right under your nose and remain undetected. If you believe that your business is being taken advantage of due to a false workplace injury claim, please don’t hesitate to contact the seasoned team at Advanced Investigations, who can help you gather evidence and protect your interests. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can assist you.
