Workers' Comp Attorney in Houston

The Effects of Fraud in Workers' Compensation

There are many laws against fraud in workers' compensation, nevertheless it still occurs.  Every aspect of a workers' compensation claim is regulated, so when fraud occurs it can happen through many different avenues.  Whether it is an employer, employee, medical facility or even an attorney, there is the risk of fraud occurring, which can affect the outcome of your case.  To avoid a situation where your benefits may be jeopardized, consult with an ethical workers' compensation attorneys from the Malaise Law Firm.  There are serious penalties for any type of fraud involved in workers' compensation and any suspicion of it should be reported.  Our office will ensure your claim filing is accurate and complete so as to eliminate any possible delays.

Certain types of fraud that can occur can be from employers attempting to lower their workers' compensation insurance premiums through underreporting their payroll or categorizing employees so as to lower premiums as well.  Employers can also attempt to intimidate employees into not reporting a claim, either through threats or retaliation if they attempt to file.

Health care providers can sometimes create bogus medical reports, showing an employee was treated, when in fact the treatment did not occur.  Or they may add additional treatment dates and times to pad the bill.  If an attorney or employee are in on the scheme, all can get in trouble for fraud.

Employee fraud can occur if a worker lies about being injured, when in fact no injury occurred.  An employee may also attempt to collect benefits when they are already receiving benefits from another employer, or go along with a health care provider showing they were treated more than they were.  Workers' compensation insurance companies will review past claims histories of employees to ensure they are not repeatedly filing claims, and also closely scrutinize an injury report.  Injuries reported late on a Friday or early on a Monday can be suspect, as is an injury not reported right away.  If an injury is reported that is inconsistent with the type of activities an employee normally does, this can also act as a suspicious claim report.

Consult the Malaise Law Firm in Houston

It is advisable to seek a professional workers' compensation lawyer to file your claim for you.  Our legal staff can ensure that your claim is not denied because it appears suspicious to the insurance company.  By accurately documenting what occurred in your injury, any possible suspicion of fraud will be eliminated.  Although there may be some individuals who file claims that are fraudulent, not everyone who happens to get injured on a Friday or Monday, or who fails to report an injury immediately is guilty of any type of fraud.  Our experienced firm can assist you throughout the claim process in order to provide you with all the benefits you are entitled to.

If some type of fraud has affected your workers' comp benefits, call the Malaise Law Firm to discuss with an attorney.