MAN GETS 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR WORK COMP FRAUD

Florida's Attorney General announced that a Charlotte Court man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of defrauding the Florida Workers' Compensation program.

This stems from an inured worker who filed a workers' compensation claim claiming he was permanently and totally disabled as a result of a work comp injury. He collected over $91,000 in benefits and payments from Workers' Compensation. Afterward, he was videotaped moving boxes into a moving van, although at the time he was claiming to be injured and receiving workers' compensation benefit.

There certainly had to be more than an isolated videotape of his moving boxes, but this is a good case for those who claim workers' compensation benefits. Don't lie to your doctors and don't lie to your attorney. I can't say I have never represented a client who may have over-exaggerated his or her injuries from a work comp case. However, I reject any case that I believe the client is trying to get something more than they're entitled to. It is not fair for those who are actually hurt and have to battle with the workers' compensation company to get the minimal workers' compensation benefits.

If you are injured in a Florida work comp case, follow your doctor's orders on restrictions and limitations. Be honest with your doctor and your lawyer. Not just to avoid 10 years in prison, but also to ease the battle of those justifiably hurt in Florida who cannot obtain workers' compensation benefits because of the few that commit workers' compensation fraud.

This guy made headlines because of his conviction for workers' compensation fraud. Too bad all the injured workers fighting to get benefits due them don't make the headlines. Maybe if they did, the laws would change to help these truly injured workers to get the medical treatment they need to return to the work force.

If you have been injured in a Florida workers' compensation claim, you should consult with an attorney. If you are not trying to get something you are not entitled to, contact me by clicking here to discuss your rights under Florida's workers' compensation system. If you are not truly injured and still want to make a potentially fraudulent claim, call someone else.