Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Samantha Hayes reportingGetting hurt on the job happens. But according to investigators, there are way too many workers claiming compensation and picking up an easy check.
If you had a back injury would you lift furniture or play sports?
Even if you would not make a false claim, when others do it all of us are affected by higher insurance costs.
It sure seemed odd to investigators when this man claimed he could not return to work. Because a day later they caught him doing just that- working for another employer- and collecting two checks. He had to pay back $1,827.00.
Joel Campbell, Special Investigations: "In the time we have been doing this, I think we have seen everything."
Like this case: Number 23 does not look like somebody with lower back pain- especially when he pushes bleachers back after the game. His restitution totaled 1,054.00.
Joel Campbell, Special Investigations: "We get kind of use to it but some of them are quite alarming."
Joel Campbell estimates 20 percent of workers compensation claims in Utah are fraudulent. He is part of a six person special investigation unit.
Joel Campbell: "Often times with the video surveillance the individuals might say, yeah I'm healed now, I was just about ready to call the adjustor tomorrow that I'm ready to go back to work."
This man said he could not bend over to tie his shoes...let alone return to his work as a carpenter. That was after workers compensation paid for his back surgeries. He was caught too; moving a chest of drawers and a mattress. He had to pay $3, 955.00 in restitution.
Campbell says often times, investigators are tipped off to these cases by neighbors, ex-spouses, and coworkers.
Joel Campbell, Special Investigations: "They don't try to protect them most times."
Campbell says their investigations saved Utahns 9.6 million dollars last year. They examine about 600 cases a year-and take about 40 to court.
Jail time is a possibility- but often the individual admits guilt when investigators show the video- and pays restitution.
