Workers Compensation Fraud

California, workers’ compensation fraud involves providing false or misleading information in order to obtain benefits to which you are not legally entitled. The crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and carries penalties of up to 5 years in jail or prison. “Workers’ compensation” is a system of insurance that provides medical care and payments for lost income to workers who are injured on the job.1 Fraud committed in connection with workers’ compensation insurance can lead to harsh criminal penalties. Acts that are considered workers’ compensation fraud in California include: Knowingly making or presenting a false or fraudulent material statement for the purpose of either obtaining or denying workers’ compensation benefits; Making a false or fraudulent statement about eligibility for benefits in order to discourage an injured worker from claiming benefits; Knowingly aiding and abetting, or participating in a conspiracy to commit, workers’ compensation fraud; Preparing or submitting multiple claims for payment of a health care benefit covered by workers’ compensation insurance, all for the same injury; Submitting a claim for a health care benefit covered by workers’ comp that was not actually used; and Soliciting, referring or accepting any business from a person, knowing that s/he intends to commit workers’ comp fraud.