Top Mankato, MN Workers' Compensation Fraud Lawyers Near You
1907 Excel Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 400, PO Box 967, Mankato, MN 56002
503 Cornelia St, Mankato, MN 56003
525 South Front St., Mankato, MN 56001
525 South Front St, Mankato, MN 56001
196 St. Andrews Drive, Suite 100, Mankato, MN 56001
100 Warren Street, Suite 400, Mankato, MN 56001
326 South Minnesota Avenue, PO Box 360, St. Peter, MN 56082
We found a limited number of Workers' Compensation Fraud law firms in Mankato. Below are some of the closest additional firms.
663 Carver Bluffs Parkway, Carver, MN 55315
Select a local Mankato, Minnesota firm for diligent Workers' Compensation Fraud representation.
7040 Lakeland Ave N, Suite 100, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Assisting with Workers' Compensation Fraud issues in Mankato and across Minnesota.
Free Consultation
302 N 10th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
In Mankato, Minnesota area, Groshek Law PA can help clients with their Workers' Compensation Fraud needs.
Free Consultation
701 Xenia Ave S, Suite 565, Minneapolis, MN 55416
In Mankato, Minnesota, Mankey Law Office, a local practice, helps clients with their Workers' Compensation Fraud problem.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
650 Third Avenue South, Suite 260, Minneapolis, MN 55402
When you need legal representation for your Workers' Compensation Fraud, connect with William Mauzy, Attorney at Law in Mankato, Minnesota.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
630 Roosevelt Road, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56301
When you need Workers' Compensation Fraud help in Mankato, contact Pennington, Cherne, Gaarder & Geiger Hagen, PLLC, an established Minnesota law firm.
Free Consultation
219 North Broadway, Suite C, New Ulm, MN 56073
Mankato Workers' Compensation Fraud Information
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What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation provides benefits for workers who are injured on the job or suffer a work-related illness. Most employers are required to provide workers’ comp insurance for employees. When an employee is injured in the workplace, a workers’ comp claim provides medical coverage and partial wage replacement while the employee is unable to work.
The workers’ compensation process is generally a no-fault system. The employee is supposed to be covered for any work-related accident or occupational diseases. The worker does not have to show the employer was negligent. In return, the employer is protected from most personal injury lawsuits related to the accident and the compensation claims are limited to wage benefits, medical care, and disability benefits.
If employers or workers comp insurance carriers suspect the employee is committing fraud, they may investigate the claim to deny coverage or report the employee for fraud. If criminal fraud is suspected, law enforcement agencies may work with the insurance provider and employer to investigate the worker and could prosecute the worker for criminal charges.
What Qualifies as Workers’ Comp Fraud in Minnesota?
Workers’ comp fraud involves fraud or misrepresentation in a workplace injury claim. Fraud may involve the worker trying to claim benefits for a non-covered injury or claim benefits when they are still able to work. Some examples of workers’ comp fraud include:
- Claiming a non-workplace injury happened on the job
- Claiming to be disabled when the worker can still perform their job functions
- Intentionally causing an accident or injury to get benefits
- Working another job under the table while receiving benefits
- Advising other workers on how to fraudulently claim workers’ comp benefits
- Filing multiple claims for the same injury
Fraud in workers’ comp claims can also involve health care providers. Doctors, medical service providers, and chiropractors may work together to defraud the workers’ comp system. Workers’ compensation insurance fraud rings may recruit workers to claim workplace injuries, with a medical provider making a false diagnosis of an injury, and doctors fraudulently treating the injured employees or billing for medical procedures that were never provided.
What Investigators Look For in Workers’ Comp Fraud
Some insurance providers or employers look for “red flags” that may indicate possible fraud. This may be a clue to further investigate the claim, talk to other employees, or use a private investigator to monitor the injured worker. Some possible red flags of workers’ compensation fraud may include:
- No witnesses to the accident
- Employee refusing treatment or examination
- Worker is difficult to contact after filing a claim for workers’ comp
- Injury occurred right before or after a planned vacation
- Injury occurred shortly before the employee was to leave the job
- Employee reported the injury after a poor performance review or workplace incident
- Treatment is inconsistent with the alleged injury
- Extent of injury and accident time frame do not match up
Is Workers’ Comp Fraud a Felony?
Workers’ compensation fraud can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the situation. As a misdemeanor, a conviction for fraud could result in up to a year in county jail and a fine. If fraud is charged as a felony, penalties can include more than a year in prison, fines, and restitution.
Some incidents of workers’ comp fraud can include additional criminal charges. The defendant may face related charges for:
- Identity theft
- Insurance fraud
- Health care fraud
Investigating Workers’ Comp Fraud
Insurance companies and the employer may investigate employees even without indications of claimant fraud. The insurance company and employer have a financial interest in denying workplace injury claims. As a result, they may wrongly deny a legitimate claim for an injured worker. Many employees do not go through the process to appeal the denial, and end up going without the benefits they deserve.
Do Private Investigators Follow Workers After a Claim?
A private investigator may follow the worker with video surveillance. Investigators may also talk to co-workers or neighbors about the worker’s activities. Social media accounts may also be reviewed for evidence that could hurt the worker’s claim. Some of the things investigators look for when an employee makes a workers’ comp claim include:
- Participating in sports or leisure activities
- Doing yard work, home improvement projects, or heavy lifting
- Going on vacation after making a claim
- Social media post showing the cause of the injury that is unrelated to work
- Medical bills for appointments the worker never attended