WorkSafe blitz detects 37 claims for workers’ compo

A Victorian man who claimed he fell off a ladder at a workplace where he was not employed is among those caught out in a crackdown on brazen compensation rorts.

WorkSafe director of investigations Peter Collins says fraudsters not only face financial punishment, but also the prospect of a conviction. Picture: Alan Barber

A crackdown on WorkCover frauds has detected 37 dodgy claims saving more than $20m in workers’ compo payouts.

WorkSafe has revealed it ended the fraudulent claims of “a shifty few” in the past financial year, with another 25 people prosecuted on fraud-related matters.

The largest redress was against a Melton West man who claimed to be injured while stepping out of his truck at a job site.

But it was found that the day before the claim was lodged, the 58-year-old man had twice called an ambulance for hip and leg pain while returning from a V8 Supercars race at Phillip Island.

The crackdown on dodgy claims has saved more than $20m. Picture: iStock

The court ordered him to repay $143,982 in compensation and perform 180 hours of community work.

WorkSafe executive director of insurance Roger Arnold said fraud was comparatively low within the compensation scheme.

“But there’s always a shifty few who think they’ll get away with breaking the law,” Mr Arnold said.

He also revealed that one of the best sources of information were from people disgusted with illegal behaviour.

“Often it is a friend, family member, or colleague who gives us the information.”

Other compensation frauds identified by the state’s workplace safety watchdog included:

• A mantwice claimed for falling off a ladder and being hit by a falling beam by using names of employers he didn’t work for. He repaid $134,925 and was placed on an 18-month community correction order with 300 hours of work.

• A machine operator and business owner continued to work while receiving benefits for a crush injury to both feet.

• A cookwho claimed to have suffered an arm and chest injury while moving a dishwasher at an aged care centre was later found to buying and operating a Hawthorn cafe while receiving compo.

One mantwice claimed for falling off a ladder and being hit by a falling beam by using names of employers he didn’t work for. Picture: iStock

WorkSafe director of investigations Peter Collins said compensation payments can be

cut even before a prosecution being launched if sufficient evidence is found that

payments had been obtained illegally.

“Those foolish enough to try and rort Victoria’s workers compensation scheme will be caught by WorkSafe’s ever-increasing arsenal of fraud detection measures,” Mr Collins said.

“Fraudsters not only face financial punishment, but also the prospect of a conviction, which

can affect all facets of their life, including future job opportunities and overseas travel.”

The WorkSafe blitz comes after the Australian Physiotherapy Association said tradies were disproportionately affected by workplace injuries and chronic conditions, a problem made worse with the lifting of the pension age to 67.