"The Myth Of Workers' Comp. Fraud"by Lisa Cullen
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/workplace/etc/fraud.html "In recent years, the insurance industry's focus on cheaters and malingerers helped push through national workers' compensation reform, a profitable cost-cutting campaign supported by outrage over alleged abuse of the system. The problem, however, is that the fraud image is false for the vast majority of workers' compensation cases. Studies show that only 1 to 2 percent of workers' compensation claims are fraudulent. 1 2 Certainly, the tens of thousands of workers killed every year were hardly aiming for a free ride on their employer's tab."No doubt there are cases of WC fraud, but not to the extent as many think. The few that do exist really seem to catch the attention of the media, in programs like Date Line and 20/20. I wish these outlets would be more fair and balanced. We never see documentaries that expose the fraud and abuse committed by doctors, employers and insurance companies.
I am 57 years old. I've been working sense I was a kid. I never filed a WC claim until I was injured on the job in Nov. of 2011. I've seen it happen to many others, over and over again. People are crippled for life, and the system makes it next to impossible for the worker to receive justice. I have already posted my story on another thread. But, with state lawmakers considering making WC laws even more slanted against the injured worker, I feel compelled to put my story on another thread. I agree that WC laws need change, but not in the direction that the governor is proposing. I feel that WC laws need to address the fraud and unethical acts on behalf of the employer, and the collusion between the doctor and the insurance company, which takes place.
Unethical Business Practice @ Tech Ridge Office Park Tulsa
NAI Petrous Commercial Real Estate Services, Worldwide
Management at Tech Ridge Office Park is guilty of unethical treatment of employees. In November of 2012, Tech Ridge ended the employment of their lead engineer, (David Louton) while he was on workers comp. Tech Ridge property manager; Joy MacCracken did not inform Mr. Louton that his employment had ended until March 2013, when the doctor released him to work. In fact, she continued to act as the employer in Dec, Jan, Feb, and even in March by handling the doctor/patient reports that were sent to the workers comp. insurance company. When David returned with a release from the doctor,(March 4,2013) he was informed that the company changed receivership in Nov. 2012. Because of this change David lost his job. Joy also said that technically David was never an employee for Tech Ridge. In addition to this despicable behavior, the property manager and NAI Petrous are now acting in ways that prevent Mr. Louton from obtaining new employment. McCracken says that, because of the workers comp. claim, they are refusing to sign a reference letter for Mr. Louton, and will not provide prospective employers with employment information over the phone. To add insult to injury, on Dec.20, 2012 (one month after Davids employment ended) Ms. MacCracken sent a fax to verify that David was a full time employee at Tech Ridge, to the apartment manager where he signed a one year lease. David had to skip out on lease, jeopardizing his credit. Tech Ridge management could have prevented this by telling the truth. Tools were stolen, while David was on workers comp. They refuse to replace these personal tools.
David Louton is the engineer who possibly saved lives and property at Tech Ridge back in 2011. In Dec. of that year, there were cranes in the parking lots, replacing heat and air units on the roof tops. David was hired in Oct. 2011. During his first month on the job, he discovered the heating systems were in a dangerous state of disrepair, caused by years of neglect, under the management of Joy MacCracken at Tech Ridge. Because of Davids leadership on this project, 40 roof top HVAC units were replaced on the Blain and Cherokee buildings. While working seven days per week, 12 – 16 hours each day on this project, David was injured, and was unable to complete the inspection of systems on all buildings. So, it is still unknown if the other eleven office buildings at Tech Ridge are safe. But, because most of the HVAC systems on all buildings at Tech Ridge are 40 years old, like those replaced on Blain and Cherokee, and proper maintenance has been left undone for years, there is reason for great concern. The old units that were replaced were discharging carbon monoxide in to the occupied spaces. Any one of these units could have exploded, causing a chain reaction, destroying property and causing death. David also discovered that many building exhaust fans did not work and were still not working when he became injured and left Tech Ridge.
WARNING: If you have headaches, dizziness, or unexplained illnesses, you may wish to be tested for carbon monoxide poisoning, mold related illness, or some other illness caused by poor indoor air quality. Sick building syndrome can be the cause of serious health problems, including legionnaire disease.
