Federal Railroad Retirement Board Approves 64 of 66 Low Back and Muscular Skeletal Claims

Fraud and Abuse  can be found just about everywhere in the workers’ comp arena.  Whether it just one worker collecting a little bit of money or large organizations not applying their own rules.

A Sure-Fire Way to Guarantee WC Costs Rise?*

The Government  Accountability Office recently discovered the Federal Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), in spite of measures in place to prevent abuses of the system, did, in fact,  approve 64 out of 66 claims, nearly all for lower-back and muscular-skeletal injuries.

The new  (October 2008) five-point plan was intended to identify among other things,  unusual patterns  in claims submissions. (workersxzcompxzkit)

In spite of these findings, Steve Bartholow, RRB’s general counsel, claimed (New York Times) the board was eager to make any additional changes to stop abuses.
*Source:  AP/New York Post

Collecting, Working, Arrested, Lieing

A Connecticut man  was arrested on alleged charges of collecting over $6,500 in workers’ compensation wages while working and then lieing about it in court, according to a statement from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Bureau of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office.

Authorities  report the man lied under oath, saying he was not working while collecting additional “permanency” benefits.  In fact he was working as a painting contractor. (workersxzcompxzkit)

The worker  is charged with workers’ comp fraud and perjury and faces up to 25 years in jail.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-786-8286.

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workman’s comp issues.