The latest episode (9/23/09) of the TV sitcom, “The Office” featured a subplot pertaining to workers compensation claim fraud. Seems like Darryl down in the warehouse reported a back injury after falling off of a ladder while performing work duties. Human Resources Director Toby accepts the story but Dwight Schrute smells a rat. Many features of Darryl’s story do not make sense to Dwight, who urges Toby to investigate further. Their homemade attempts to reenact Darryl’s accident deepen their suspicions and they plan a stake out near Darryl’s home while he convalesces on disability.
I won’t give away the plot at this point, except for the fact that the do-it-yourself attempt at surveillance and insurance claim fraud fighting ends up backfiring on the management team at Dunder-Mifflin.
“The Office” and the episode are pure fiction, but unfortunately workers compensation claim fraud is not.
Nevertheless, the episode of “The Office” illustrates a few valid points.
First, have a healthy dose of skepticism with regard to every report of on-the-job injury. “Trust but verify” is a sound maxim.
Second, leave things like surveillance for the experts. Amateurish attempts to undertake surveillance and fraud investigations may create new liabilities in addition to workers compensation costs.
Fighting claim fraud is a legitimate endeavor when there is a reasonable suspicion of dubious activity. What is not reasonable is trying to shave costs and cut corners by undertaking amateurish DIY efforts at fighting fraud.
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November 4, 2009 at 5:45 pm |
An interesting take on a funny episode!