Palm Beach County Gets Serious About Workers’ Comp Fraud

Palm Beach County gets serious about workers’ comp fraud by assigning a special prosecutor who’s only responsibility will be to combat the crime. Governor Rick Scott signed a law allocating $144,720 in funds toward catching and prosecuting violators. Workers’ compensation fraud costs Florida taxpayers millions of dollars every year.  The fact that it was under funded also hurts Florida small businesses. General contractors and construction companies who follow the rules and carry the correct workers’ compensation insurance coverage are at a disadvantage to companies who cut corners by using fraudulent certificates. The Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud calls workers’ comp fraud “the largest organized financial crime in Florida.” State attorney Dave Aronberg believes this is the boost Palm Beach county and the City of West Palm Beach need to fight the growing problem of fraudulent claims. Miami Dade County and Hillsborough County are the only other counties with similar special prosecutors to combat workers’ compensation fraud. Workers’ compensation fraud costs everyone money. Workers’ faking injury to collect workers’ comp payments cause premiums to rise for all businesses which increase costs for businesses which in turn pass the additional cost to the consumers. This also clogs the system for workers with legitimate injuries who are entitled to benefits.