Exposing workers’ compensation fraud is one of the essential tasks entrepreneurs may face. Some employees tend to exaggerate or falsify their injuries, while others may even fake an injury to claim compensation fraudulently. This fraudulent behavior causes financial losses to employers and creates an environment of mistrust and dishonesty in the workplace.
However, with a private investigator, you can use various strategies to uncover workers’ compensation fraud and bring the culprits to justice. Here’s how:
1. Conduct Thorough Background Checks
Conducting thorough background checks on employees can reveal any previous criminal or fraudulent activities. This information can help determine whether an employee will likely commit workers’ compensation fraud.
It’s also possible to check an employee’s work record, including past compensation claims. If an employee has made several claims, it could suggest that they may be inclined to make false claims in the future.
2. Surveillance
Monitoring your employees can be tough, especially if it involves privacy concerns. However, surveillance can be a valuable tool to gather evidence if you suspect workers’ compensation fraud.
Surveillance can include monitoring an employee’s activities outside of work, such as observing their physical capabilities and activities that contradict their reported injuries. It can also involve checking their social media accounts for any posts or photos that contradict their reported injuries or suggest they are engaging in activities they claim they cannot do.
3. Medical Records Review
Reviewing an employee’s medical records can provide valuable information to detect fraudulent workers’ compensation claims. After all, many medical conditions can mimic work-related injuries, and examining medical records can help rule out other potential causes.
Sometimes, an employee may have a pre-existing medical condition not disclosed. A private investigator can review medical records to determine whether the employee’s injury is related to their work or a pre-existing condition. This way, they’ll know if they falsified or exaggerated their injury to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
4. Interviews
You can also conduct interviews if monitoring and reviewing an employee’s medical records cannot detect fraudulent workers’ compensation claims. Investigators can interview witnesses, co-workers, supervisors, and the injured employee to gather more information about the incident.
During interviews, investigators can look for inconsistencies in the employee’s story and compare it with the medical records. They can also check if the employee’s version of the incident matches the accounts of the witnesses or co-workers.
5. Social Media Monitoring
Social media can be a valuable tool for exposing workers’ compensation fraud. Many employees may post updates about their daily activities, including physical activities that may contradict their injury claims.
A private investigator can monitor employees’ social media accounts to determine whether their activities are consistent with their injury claims. Social media monitoring can also provide evidence of employees engaging in activities they claim they cannot do due to their injury.
Final Thoughts
Remember, workers’ compensation fraud is a serious offense that can result in criminal charges. Suppose you suspect an employee is committing workers’ compensation fraud. In that case, working with a reputable private investigator who has experience uncovering fraudulent activities and can provide the evidence you need to take legal action is essential.
Discover the truth with Quinn & Associates’ private investigation services. Our experienced investigators utilize cutting-edge technology and tactics to unearth your needed facts. Contact us today to get started on your case.