Workers compensation insurance coverage pays a portion of your wages and provides medical coverage throughout your recovery. To maintain coverage, you must abide by the strict guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Most important of which, you need to demonstrate that you cannot work due to your injury throughout the entire recovery period. Performing actions that contradict that assertion will surely end your coverage and could even result in criminal charges. Here are four incidents highlighting the importance of avoiding actions that could refute your claims of an injury.
Spinning The Big Wheel
While recovering from a shoulder injury, doctors often tell patients to avoid reaching overhead or supporting weight with their arms. Cathy Wrench Cashwell did not take those recommendations to heart during her recovery supported by workers compensation insurance. In fact, she showcased her shoulder mobility and strength in a big way by appearing on a game show that involves reaching far above the head to spin a big, heavy wheel.
Furthermore, she posted photos of her recreational activities, like zip lining, on social media sites open to the public. As a result, workers compensation workers compared her activities to the restrictions to build a fraud case against her. Coverage promptly ended and Cashwell ended up receiving three years probation for her crime.
Walking The Runway
Social media postings also did in Shawna Lynn Palmer when she decided to show off her moves on the runway to her followers. Palmer was supposedly off work due to a foot injury that left her unable to strut her stuff. Her participation in a high-end fashion show definitely proved that claim fraudulent, however.
Palmer did not follow doctor's orders to use an orthotic device for recovery either, as she was noticed wearing high heels. The criminal fraud charge may land this beauty queen in jail for a year, on probation for three years and necessitate repayment of all collected benefits, which total more than $20,000.
Ditching The Walker
Due to the prevalence of fraud, workers compensation officials often hire private investigators to check up on claimants for signs of dishonesty. Former nurse, Golnaz Gholipour, claimed that a back injury left her unable to dress herself or walk without the assistance of a support device.
Workers compensation paid out more than $300,000 for medical bills and support during Gholipour' recovery. Unfortunately, recordings of extended shopping trips and heavy chores at home proved the disability claims quite untrue. As a result, the claimant faced charges of fraud and perjury, all twelve counts in total landed her in prison for six years.
Skiing The Slopes
Lengthy healing times often trigger an internal investigation to make sure the claimant has not failed to report recovery to continue collecting benefits. Mark E. Leung tried his luck in staying on workers compensation insurance from 1987 to 2014 without once returning to work.
For each year off work, Leung would again attest that he couldn't perform the actions required to perform his job due to the injury originally acquired at work. A private investigation revealed constant use of a ski pass by Leung himself, which immediately disproved his claims. As a result, Leung was ordered to spend a year in jail and pay back the $160,000 collected from workers compensation insurance.
Following The Guidelines
Keep in close contact with your doctors and lawyer while recovering from an injury covered by workers compensation insurance. You will need to abide by all of the restrictions laid out by your doctor to properly recover from the injury.
At best, if you strain your injured area while performing recreational activities, the damage will likely reduce or end worker's compensation coverage. At worst, officials may attempt to prove your claims were fraudulent from the beginning and file criminal charges.
Talk with your lawyer or go to websites if you are unsure about any activities you have planned. In addition, always alert your doctors if you are feeling well enough to perform activities previously restricted by your injury.
