Former Suffolk County Correctional Officer Convicted of Committing Workers’ Compensation Fraud

Unfortunately, hardworking individuals across Massachusetts are injured at work every day. Because of this, the Commonwealth’s “no fault” workers’ compensation law was established. Sometimes, employers and workers exploit this safety net designed to protect hurt workers by being dishonest.

For example, a 42-year-old Massachusetts jail worker recently admitted to committing workers’ compensation fraud and larceny. According to Attorney General Maura Healey, the Athol man claimed he was unable to work in order to continue collecting workers’ compensation benefit payments, even though he operated several car dealerships.

The former correctional worker apparently suffered a job-related knee injury in 2000. After undergoing a number of medical procedures, the corrections officer was ultimately deemed permanently disabled in 2006. Although the former jail worker received monthly payments that exceeded his previous salary, the employee chose to operate several automobile dealerships that were registered to his spouse as well as the wife of a partner. The fraud was uncovered when the correctional officer’s former employer began conducting surveillance on the man in 2006. As a result of the fraud, the worker received more than $250,000 in disability and retirement payments from his former employer. The correctional officer also collected about $125,000 in assault pay and nearly $50,000 in Social Security disability benefit payments.

After the former jailer was indicted in Suffolk County, Massachusetts Superior Court, he pleaded guilty to the charges. As part of his sentence, the Athol man agreed to pay more than $300,000 in restitution and remain on probation for a period of five years. Last year, the jail worker’s partner also pleaded guilty to larceny and was ordered to pay about $22,000 in restitution.

Each year, more than 3,000 employees are hurt at work across the Commonwealth. Sadly, many injured workers suffer debilitating or disabling harm as a result. The Massachusetts workers’ compensation insurance system was established to protect employers from personal liability for an employee’s workplace accident harm. Regardless of the cause, hurt employees may recover workers’ compensation benefits instead of suing their employer for personal injury damages in court. Since the workers’ compensation law is complex, it is important to have an experienced attorney advocating on your behalf following a workplace injury.

If you were seriously injured at work in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits for your harm. The dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. are here to help you recover the financial assistance you may be entitled to following a job-related accident. To discuss your case with a knowledgeable Boston workers’ compensation attorney today, do not hesitate to give Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. a call at 800-367-0871 or contact us through our website.

Additional Resources:

Disabled corrections officer pleads guilty to workers comp fraud, larceny, by Sheena Harrison, Business Insurance