Workers' comp claims can cost you: Identify potentially fraudulent claims before you run into trouble

摘要

A nursery worker wanders into your office early on a Monday morning, claiming that he strained his back while lifting a heavy pot the previous Friday afternoon. When you ask him why he didn't report the incident sooner, he shrugs his shoulders — thenwants to know how quickly you can settle his claim. Another employee who is about to be laid off for the season tells you she slipped and sprained her ankle on the wet greenhouse floor. When you ask her to show you exactly where the incident occurred, she hedges and isn't sure. A third worker who claims he injured his knee on the job is off of work but can't be reached by phone all week. A co-worker then spots him playing basketball with his young son the following Saturday afternoon. These are among the many red flags that are signals of a potentially fraudulent workers' compensation claim. Nursery and other green-industry managers need to be aware of some of the most common warning signs for potentially false claims, said Jeff Graham of LaPorte & Associates, a Portland, Ore.-based commercial insurance agency that insures green-industry companies.