When an employee is injured at work, a number of problems could arise, such as having difficulty paying medical expenses, lost wages and physical pain. In San Francisco and throughout California, employees deserve to be protected from these types of issues with workers’ compensation. However, employers do not always fulfill their obligations and sometimes commit fraud, which could not only cause hardships for staff but also result in costly fines and even prison time. As a result, it is imperative for companies to ensure compliance with employment laws.
A 69-year-old man from Corona Del Mar recently pleaded guilty to workers’ comp fraud and is facing up to 10 years behind bars. The expansive system involved over 150 insurance companies and is the most notable case in California history, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions.
From 2008 to 2013, over $500 million was fraudulently billed by the hospital, according to prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office claims a majority of the fraudulent bills were charged to the state’s workers’ comp system. A spokeswoman for the hospital claims that the company, which has been renamed and is under new ownership, has not been contacted by investigators.
When an employee has been injured on the job, they should review their options and look into pursuing the benefits they deserve. Workers in a variety of fields face many risks every day they go to work and deserve to be protected from additional suffering if they are ever injured in an accident. Anyone going through this may want to consider talking to an attorney.
Guilty plea in California workers’ comp fraud case
