Brisbane, 13 May 2016
| Date | 13 May 2016 |
|---|---|
| Charges | Charge 1 – Section 533 Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 – Attempted fraud |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Facts | A worker lodged an application for compensation with the insurer for a crush injury to his right hand. The claim was accepted. The worker alleged the injury occurred at approximately 1:30pm and claimed to have told his manager a few minutes later. The manager could not recall any such conversation though did confirm that he was at work. A review of CCTV footaqe showed the worker binding his hand at 9:50am before his shift commenced. The worker was given a further opportunity to clarify how and when the injury occurred and had been earlier warned that it was an offence to provide false and misleading information to the insurer. The worker continued with the same version however was later shown the CCTV footage. Once the worker viewed the footage he admitted to his employer that he had injured his hand at home and he provided a statement to this effect and withdrew his claim. The worker was charged with one charge of attempting to defraud the insurer. |
| Penalty | Charge 1 (Attempted fraud): Fine of $800 |
| Restitution | $Nil |
| Costs | Workers' Compensation Regulators' costs - $4,809.20 |
| Conviction | Not Recorded |
| Consideration for Prevention | A person should not provide false or misleading information to an insurer in relation to the mechanism and cause of injury. |