Los Angeles County launched a bus sign campaign Thursday to warn people about workers\u2019 compensation fraud as officials said fake claims are plaguing the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Los Angeles County District Attorney\u2019s Office will place a sign on LA Metro buses, warning people against faking work-related injuries while urging them to report any fraudulent claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said there are often multiple layers of fraud: a worker may exaggerate an injury. A medical provider may assist in filing the fake claim. And an attorney may process the claim.\u00a0Hochman said his office will go after all parties involved in fake work injury claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe three words are going to echo across this county on these (Metro) buses: we will prosecute,\u201d the DA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the recent fraudulent workers\u2019 comp claims was filed by an LA Metro bus driver, Hochman said, as she staged an accident, claiming she injured her ankle while on the job.<\/p>\n
What the driver didn\u2019t think about was the LA Metro buses are equipped with audio and video recording devices. They captured her conversation with a coworker as the driver said she was going to fake a fall to file for workers\u2019 comp, according to Hochman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe actual video will show in court of her actually faking the fall, and then later claiming a workers\u2019 compensation accident, for which she asked for money back,\u201d the DA said. \u201cThat is a type of fake staged accident that we will prosecute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another fake claim came from an LAPD officer, who was recently charged with felony insurance fraud, Hochman said.\u00a0<\/p>\n