Workers compensation fraud is a significant issue that affects companies, employees, and insurance companies in South Carolina. When an employee files a claim for workers compensation, it’s crucial for the employer and the insurance company to ensure the validity of the claim. This is where a private investigator comes in. At Upstate Private Investigators, we specialize in uncovering the truth behind workers compensation claims, protecting companies from fraudulent activities, and ensuring that only those who truly need compensation receive it. As much as you want to trust your staff, there are times when you would benefit from the services of a South Carolina private investigator.
For over two decades, we’ve been helping clients catch employees who have filed a fraudulent workers compensation claim. We have the skills and equipment necessary to catch these employees in the act. Sometimes, it’s not just a matter of the money they’re costing you, but it’s a matter of principle. If you feel that you’re being taken advantage of by someone in your company, feel free to give us a call. Take the time to figure out what the private investigators in Greenville can do for you.
Workers Compensation Fraud Costs Americans More than $7 Billion Per Year
Even if you have a small company, a fraudulent workers compensation claim cost you thousands of dollars. Not only will you have to pay through your insurance company, but you also have to pay another employee to cover that person’s position while they’re out of work.
It may seem preponderous that somebody would go to such great lengths to convince somebody that they’ve gotten hurt on the job. Sadly, with so much information on social media these days, it’s getting easier and easier for workers to fabricate a workers compensation claim in South Carolina.
Every year, more than $7 billion are lost to fraudulent workers compensation claims in the United States. Depending on the size of your company, there’s a good chance that you’re sharing in part of this loss. As stated earlier, it’s not always just about the money that you’re losing. You need to set an example for your company so that employees know this sort of behavior will not be tolerated.
Understanding Workers Compensation Fraud
What is Workers Compensation Fraud?
fraudulent workers compensation occurs when an employee lies or exaggerates about an on-the-job injury to receive compensation benefits they are not entitled to. This fraud can significantly increase costs for businesses and insurance companies, and ultimately affect the overall insurance premiums for everyone involved.
Types of Workers Compensation Fraud
- False Claims: When an employee claims a job injury that never occurred.
- Exaggerated Claims: When an employee overstated the severity of an injury to receive more compensation.
- Non-Work Related Injuries: Claiming compensation for injuries that occurred outside of work.
The Role of a Private Investigator
How Private Investigators Help
Private investigators play a crucial role in uncovering fraudulent workers compensation suits. They use a variety of methods to gather evidence and determine the legitimacy of a claim. This includes surveillance, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records. At Upstate Private Investigators, our professional team is trained to handle these sensitive investigations with the utmost professionalism.
Methods of Investigation
- Surveillance: Monitoring the activities of the claimant to ensure their actions align with their injury claims.
- Interviewing: Speaking with co-workers, employers, and other witnesses who saw the individual get hurt to gather relevant information.
- Reviewing Records: Analyzing medical treatment records, injury reports, and other documents related to the claim.
The Importance of Surveillance in Workers Compensation Investigations
Surveillance is a key tool in workers compensation investigations. Private investigators use video and photographic evidence to determine if a claimant’s actions are consistent with their reported injuries. This can include activities that would be impossible with the claimed injury, such as heavy lifting or physical exertion.
Examples of Surveillance Evidence
- Video Evidence: Capturing footage of the claimant performing tasks they should not be able to do with their reported injury.
- Photographic Evidence: Taking pictures of the claimant engaging in activities that contradict their injury accusations.
What are the Signs that an Employee is Committing Workers Compensation Fraud?
If you have a sneaky suspicion that one of your employees is faking a workers compensation injury, there’s really no time to waste. You should get in touch with a private investigator in Greenville as soon as possible so they can get started on their investigation. If you aren’t sure if you’ve been the victim of a workers compensation scam, there are certain signs to look for. Some of these signs include:
- An injury is reported on a Monday that could very well have been the result of something the employee did over the weekend
- there are no witnesses to the workplace accident
- You hear other employees talking about how a certain employee “got over on” the company
- The employee has a history a filing workers compensation claims with other employers
- The employee has received their final written warning and we’re in danger of being terminated prior to their workplace accident
- The employee has not been with you very long and has already suffered attendance issues
- The injury the employee complains of is very generalized and cannot be confirmed by the state- approved workers compensation doctor
If you happen to notice any of these things with somebody in your company, you should reach out to a South Carolina private investigator sooner rather than later. The last thing you want to do is allow an employee to make a fool out of you and have the rest of your staff learn about it. When one employee gets away with this kind of behavior, it tends to become contagious. If your company is large enough, fraudulent workers compensation claims could become an epidemic.
The Impact of Workers Compensation Fraud on Businesses
Financial Costs
Fraudulent workers compensation claims can lead to increased insurance premiums for a company, higher costs for insurance companies, and significant financial losses. It can also result in higher taxes and more expensive goods and services for consumers.
Legal Consequences
Employers who fail to address fraudulent workers compensation claims may be subject to legal consequences, including fines and increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. It’s essential for businesses to take proactive steps to investigate and address fraudulent claims.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Combating Fraud
Collaboration with Private Investigators
Insurance companies often collaborate with private investigators to combat workers compensation fraud. These professionals provide the necessary evidence to support or refute claims, helping insurance companies make informed decisions.
Importance of Evidence
Gathering solid evidence is crucial in proving fraudulent claims. Private investigators collect and document evidence that can be used in court or during settlement negotiations, ensuring that fraudulent claims are denied and valid claims are honored.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Workers Compensation Fraud
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of the employee’s claim, medical treatment, and any suspicious activities.
- Contact a Private Investigator: Hire a professional to conduct a thorough investigation.
- Work with Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about your suspicions and share any evidence you have gathered.
Legal Support for Employers
Working with an Attorney
Employers may need legal support when dealing with false workers compensation reports. An experienced attorney can provide guidance on the legal aspects of a fraud investigation and help protect the employer’s interests.
Importance of Professionalism
Maintaining professionalism throughout the investigation process is crucial. Employers should ensure that all actions taken are legal and ethical to avoid potential backlash.
Protecting Your Business from Workers Compensation Fraud
False work injury reports are a serious issue that can have significant financial and legal consequences for businesses in South Carolina. By working with a private investigator and taking proactive steps to address fraudulent claims, employers can protect their businesses and ensure that only legitimate claims are honored. At Upstate Private Investigators, we are committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients, helping them safeguard their interests and avoid paying for fraudulent claims.
Your Private Investigator in Greenville Can Get the Evidence You Need
Our private investigators in Greenville have spent years perfecting the art of catching people who have filed a fraudulent workers compensation claim. Not only do we have the talent and expertise, but we also have state-of-the-art equipment to document this fraud.
Some of the evidence that we’ve captured for clients in the past include the following:
- Employees who complain of nerve damage but are seen playing basketball or engaging other recreation activities
- Employees who are found working a second job under the table
- An employee’s social media account includes comments or posts that lead you to believe your employee is lying about their workplace injury
- One of our private investigators in Greenville catches the employee on video behaving in a way that belies any physical injury
While it’s not always easy to prove that somebody is committing workers compensation fraud, eventually the truth comes to light. Our private investigators in Greenville are persistent and patient. They’ll wait until just the right moment to gather the evidence you need to prove that employee is faking a worker’s comp injury.
Contact an Experienced South Carolina Private Investigator Today
If you have the feeling that one of your employees is committing workers compensation fraud, you should reach out to a private investigator in Greenville right away. The longer they collect benefits, the harder it will be to recover those monies later on.
There are certain signs that an employee has either faked an injury or lied about how it happened. Our expert South Carolina private investigators have over 25 years tracking down this sort of behavior. We can help save you and your insurance company from paying out on a fraudulent claim.
if you need someone to look into a possible fraudulent worker’s comp claim, call our office today. Speak with one of our South Carolina private investigators and take advantage of your free estimate. We can explain what services we offer as well as what results we can achieve. Every day that an employee steals money through workers compensation is a day that money is coming out of your pocket. We can help put a stop to it right away.