The Washington State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Poster is a tool that employers can use to effectively deter would-be fraudsters and encourage employees to report suspected fraud. The poster makes it conspicuously known that the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), the State Attorney General’s Office, and employers play an active role in seeking out and investigating workers’ compensation fraud and bringing perpetrators to justice.
How does the Washington State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Poster deter fraud?
Businesses are in the best position to implement early fraud intervention strategies. Studies show that employee education and a strong anti-workers’ compensation fraud policy are two of the most effective fraud deterrents. Posting the Workers’ Compensation Fraud prevention poster in the workplace:
- Informs employees about the state’s anti-fraud law and the consequences if convicted of workers’ compensation fraud.
- Describes the common ways in which workers’ compensation claimant fraud is committed.
- Strongly encourages employees to report suspected fraud using the state’s workers’ compensation fraud hotline number.
- Communicates the business’ firm policy against fraud and its active role in identifying suspected fraud.
- Let’s employees know that their employer takes all workers’ compensation claims seriously and will pursue legal recourse if fraud is suspected.
How is workers’ compensation fraud treated in Washington State?
In Washington State, applicant/claimant fraud can be prosecuted as a “willful misrepresentation” under the Washington Industrial Insurance Act or as a criminal theft under the Washington Criminal Code.
- An individual who commits willful misrepresentation of facts can be ordered to repay the full value of benefits wrongfully received plus a 50% penalty.
- Depending on the value of benefits wrongfully obtained, criminal theft can be charged as a gross misdemeanor, Class C Felony, or a Class B Felony, each of which is punishable by steep fines, imprisonment, or both.
Get involved in workers’ compensation fraud prevention
Use the Washington State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Poster to start a dialog with your employees. Fighting workers’ compensation fraud is everyone’s responsibility.