Californian Convicted of Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Pomona, Calif., man has been convicted for workers’ compensation insurance fraud, announced the California Department of Insurance. On Aug. 14, 2007, Manuel Carreon, 45, was convicted on one felony count of workers’ compensation insurance fraud and sentenced to two years in state prison for attempting to swindle his insurance company out of more than $100,000.

In February, Carreon was arrested for workers’ compensation fraud, following an investigation by CDI Fraud investigators. In 2003, Carreon reported that he strained his back working as a nursing assistant. He was placed on temporary total disability and received benefits. In 2004, Carreon sought employment and was hired as a carpenter for Howard Roberts Development, while receiving temporary total disability. Shortly after being hired, he was examined by his physician and falsely claimed that he was still injured. He also failed to inform his doctor that he was working at the time of the examination.

The DOI said Hartford Casualty Insurance Co. lost more than $100,000 in medical, legal and investigative costs, in addition to benefit payments, because of Carreon’s scheme. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.