Missouri AG: Workers’ Comp Fraud Collections Spike in 2009

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster reported that his office saw a dramatic increase in the amount of collections and convictions for workers’ compensation fraud and for noncompliance with mandatory workers’ compensation insurance coverage in 2009.

According to Koster, his office last year filed charges against 27 violators for workers’ compensation fraud, compared with eight in the previous year. More than $838,000 was assessed against violators for fraud and for insurance coverage noncompliance in 2009, versus $461,000 in 2008.

Monies collected go to the State Workers’ Compensation Fund or to make restitution for victims of workers’ compensation fraud violations.

Koster credited the increase in charges and collections with staff realignment to dedicate more resources to prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud and cases involving insurance noncompliance.

The AG’s office currently is prosecuting 183 cases for workers’ compensation fraud or insurance noncompliance.

Source: Missouri Attorney General’s Office