Workers’ Compensation Fraud Warning Act

Summary

The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Warning Act authorizes an insurer or self-insured employer to provide notice to an injured worker on or with a check for temporary disability benefits that it is unlawful to make any knowingly false or fraudulent material statement for the purpose of obtaining worker’ compensation. The notice would state that the acceptance of employment with a different employer that requires the performance of activities that the worker has stated that he or she cannot perform because of injury could constitute fraud and result in criminal prosecution.

Workers’ Compensation Fraud Warning Act

Model Policy

Section 1. {Short Title} The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Warning Act

Section 2. {Legislative Declarations} The state finds and declares that:

A. Workers’ compensation fraud is the largest source of fraud within the property/casualty industry accounting for more than one-third of all property/casualty insurance fraud; and

B. The cost of workers’ compensation insurance fraud is passed on to employers in the form of higher premium costs; and

C. Insurers and self-insured employers should have the right to notify workers’ compensation claimants that certain actions following the acceptance of benefits may constitute fraud.

Section 3. {Definitions}

Section 4. {Warning Notice} An insurer or self-insured employer may provide the following notice to an injured worker on or with a check for temporary disability benefits:

Warning: Acceptance of employment with a different employer that requires the performance of activities you have stated that you cannot perform because of the injury for which you are receiving temporary disability benefits could constitute fraud and could result in criminal prosecution. If convicted, you could lose your rights to workers’ compensation benefits and face imprisonment up to {blank} years and fine of up to {blank} or double the amount of the fraud, whichever is greater.

Section 5. {Severability}

Section 6. {Effective Date}

Reapproved by the ALEC Legislative Board on January 28, 2013.

Reapproved by ALEC Board of Directors on November 16, 2017.