Imagine you recently broke your leg at work as a result of a slip-and-fall injury. You received an award for Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance for a period of 4 months. As the 4 month period approaches, you are improving but need more care. You’ve consulted with your doctor but he has not cleared you to go back to work. While you are out walking your dog, someone starts taking pictures of you. Unbeknownst to you, a coworker allegedly claimed you were committing workers’ compensation fraud. This triggered an Oklahoma State fraud investigator to begin looking into the matter. A few weeks later, you receive charges alleging workers’ compensation fraud. What should you do? Hire an Oklahoma workers compensation fraud defense attorney.
How is Workers’ Compensation Fraud Reported?
Oklahoma’s Attorney General Workers’ Compensation Fraud unit investigates allegations of fraud. Civil or criminal action by the District Attorney may be taken when sufficient evidence supports a fraudulent claim. Employers, coworkers, or family friends often report workers’ compensation fraud. If you are under investigation for workers’ compensation fraud contact our Oklahoma workers compensation fraud defense attorneys for a consultation. Our workers compensation attorneys will examine your case and provide a rebuttal to any claims. This includes claims made by Attorney General’s Office or District Attorney. Do not go unrepresented. Doing so can jeopardize your workers’ compensation benefits and subject you to criminal liability. Call our attorneys for help. We can provide you with sound legal advice and guidance.
Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Fraud Criminal Charges, Conviction & Fines:
In Oklahoma, fraud penalties align proportionally with the property loss of the victim. You can be charged with a misdemeanor if there is sufficient evidence illustrating that your alleged workers’ compensation fraudulent claim resulted in you obtaining $500, or a felony if it is greater than $1,000. In addition to people filing fraudulent claims, employers can also receive prosecution charges for workers’ compensation fraud. Under Oklahoma State law, if an employer willfully fails to provide workers’ compensation to an employee, the employer can be charged with a misdemeanor and pay a fine or be imprisoned in county jail if convicted (typically officers are imprisoned).
Recent Case Rulings Throughout Oklahoma:
A Sapulpa resident, recently plead guilty to workers’ compensation fraud in District Court. She received orders to pay $6,225 in restitution to the Attorney General’s Office and a 7 year deferred sentence by the criminal court. In her workers’ compensation claim she claimed she injured her back at work. She claimed that the injury was the result of lifting a 50-pound bag of dog food. After conducting an investigation, the results showed the defendant injured herself as a result of lifting her 90-pound dog at home. In 2011, Tulsa criminal defense attorney, Fred Schraeder, plead guilty to embezzling over $1 million from clients in a conspiracy to commit workers’ compensation fraud. He received a 5 year deferred sentence and orders to pay $36,000 in restitution.
Hire Our Oklahoma Workers Compensation Fraud Defense Attorney:
Contact our law office for a consultation with our experienced Oklahoma workers compensation fraud defense attorney. We are here to help you avoid a criminal fraud conviction. We can further provide you with legal advice and guidance on how to best proceed in your criminal matter. Do not go unrepresented when criminally prosecuted in District Court. Doing so can jeopardize your professional reputation. Contact us today for more information.
