When an on-the-job injury occurs, there are a number of steps an injured person must usually take? first seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Following treatment, the employee must then notify their supervisor of the accident in writing. The third step is to complete a workers’ compensation claim and file immediately to ensure that benefits are approved. As reported in an article published by The Sentinel, a Pennsylvania man followed these steps, but neglected to tell the truth when reporting his claim.
The story states that the man was injured while working at an industrial plant. He qualified for Federal workers’ compensation benefits from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).
To confirm eligibility, beneficiaries must submit periodic forms to the OWCP. (Apparently, the man lied on several of the forms that he submitted.) While claiming to be living with his wife, he was actually incarcerated for a felony. As a result of his false statements, the man received nearly $25,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.
The 61-year-old man will spend another three months behind bars and two years of supervision upon release from jail. He also will pay $23,792 in restitution for his illegal acts.
Just as he followed three easy steps in order to collect benefits that he did not deserve, he will have to follow a few ”not so easy” steps to rectify the situation. After reporting to the Bureau of Prisons, he will have to put on a prison uniform, be shuffled off to a jail cell and comply with penal system rules and regulations. If he behaves, he’ll be released from jail and then monitored for any further fraudulent activity. (Sometimes, the first step is the hardest, but in this case it’s the last step. Committing the fraud was easy, but paying for it is another thing.) Perhaps he’ll learn a lesson from the experience and walk a straight and narrow path from now on.
Source: Today’s ”Fraud of the Day” is based on an article titled, ”York Springs Man Sentenced in Workers Compensation Fraud,” published by The Sentinel on March 3, 2015.
HARRISBURG A York Springs man was sentenced Monday for receiving nearly $25,000 of fraudulent workers’ compensation benefits.
Robert M. Fowler, 61, will spend the next three months behind bars and two years supervised on release. He was also ordered to pay $23,792 in restitution.
