Los Angeles County Taking Action Against Work Injury Fraud
Los Angeles Launches Campaign Against Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Los Angeles has been identified as one of the top three cities in the United States for fraudulent workers’ compensation accidents and claims, trailing only Las Vegas and Jacksonville, Florida. In response, Los Angeles County officials unveiled a new campaign aimed at raising awareness about this growing issue.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office plans to display messages on LA Metro buses to educate the public about the detrimental effects of faking work-related injuries. The initiative encourages individuals to report any instances of fraud they may encounter.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the multi-faceted nature of these fraudulent activities. “There are often multiple layers of fraud,” he noted, referencing how workers may exaggerate injuries, medical providers might assist in filing false claims, and attorneys may facilitate the process. Hochman assured that his office would pursue all involved parties vigorously.
“The three words are going to echo across this county on these buses: we will prosecute,” Hochman reaffirmed.
One recent incident involved an LA Metro bus driver who staged an accident, claiming she injured her ankle on the job. However, the bus’s audio and video recording devices recorded a conversation in which she planned to fake a fall to file for workers’ compensation benefits. "The actual video will show in court her faking the fall, and then later claiming a workers’ compensation accident," Hochman explained. "That is a type of fake staged accident that we will prosecute."
Another case involved LAPD Officer Christopher Brandon Carnahan, recently charged with felony insurance fraud. After he reported an elbow injury at work and went on disability, he allegedly engaged in physically demanding activities, including numerous skydives at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore and workouts at a local fitness center.
Hochman reiterated that Los Angeles ranks among the highest for fake workers’ compensation claims nationwide. “Our goal is to protect legitimate workers so that if they do get injured, workers’ compensation serves as a lifeline to help them return to the workforce,” he said. “To achieve this, we will target the dishonest participants in the system who contribute to the multi-million dollar fraud we encounter each year.”
