Massachusetts Cracks Down on Employers Who Commit Workers’ Compensation Fraud

Two Milford, Massachusetts business owners were reportedly charged with intentionally misreporting their total payroll and workforce in an effort to avoid paying their fair share of workers’ compensation insurance premiums. According to Attorney General Maura Healey, the two individuals operated three roofing companies that were formed between 2008 and 2014. The business owners allegedly avoided paying over $600,000 in insurance premiums due to their intentional underreporting of the risks associated with each worker’s job duties. The owners’ fraud purportedly placed the workers’ compensation insurers that provided their businesses with coverage at an undisclosed higher risk for paying injury benefits.

Combined, the two business owners were indicted on seven counts of workers’ compensation fraud and four counts of larceny. The indictments were handed down by a Worcester grand jury after the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts referred the cases to Attorney General Healy’s office. Healy stated insurance fraud such as that purportedly committed by the 31-year-old man and 29-year-old woman not only undermines the integrity of the Commonwealth’s workers’ compensation system but also places an undue burden on honest employers.

Massachusetts workers face numerous job-related dangers each day. Sadly, an unexpected workplace injury or illness can leave workers temporarily or permanently incapacitated. As a result, an injured employee may spend time in a hospital or rehabilitation center and require physical therapy following release. The Massachusetts workers’ compensation system was designed to provide financial support to workers as they recover from a workplace injury accident or illness. Despite this, disputes about workers’ compensation claims and benefits often complicate an injured worker’s recovery.

In the Commonwealth, the “no fault” workers’ compensation insurance system protects employers from personal liability for an employee’s workplace accident harm. Regardless of who caused an injury accident, hurt employees may recover workers’ compensation benefits instead of suing an employer for personal injury damages in court. Unfortunately, the Massachusetts workers’ compensation law is complex. Because of this, it is important to have a knowledgeable workplace injury lawyer advocating on your behalf to help you obtain the medical and other benefits you need after a workplace injury.

If you were hurt at work in Massachusetts, you are advised to discuss your rights with a knowledgeable Boston workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you are able. The skillful lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. are here to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve based on the severity of your work-related accident harm. To discuss your right to recover workers’ compensation benefits with an experienced advocate, do not hesitate to contact Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. through our website or give us a call today at 800-367-0871.

Additional Resources:

Milford Business Owners Indicted in Connection with Workers’ Compensation Fraud, Massachusetts Attorney General Press Release dated March 24, 2015