If you’re facing worker’s compensation fraud charges, it’s important not to underestimate how they can affect your life. To protect yourself and ensure the best possible outcome, you should work with skilled California criminal defense attorneys. The right attorney will work with you to create a powerful defense and get the charges dismissed or the sentence reduced.
Worker’s comp fraud is a serious charge that can result in time in jail and steep fines. By hiring a legal expert from LibertyBell Law, you can protect yourself from these harsh penalties and ensure you get fair treatment in court.
What Is Worker’s Compensation?
Workers’ compensation, also known as “workers comp,” is a legally required program that offers benefits to employees who are hurt or ill on the job or as a result of their employment. It may cover medical bills, lost wages, and even job retraining after recovery.
This type of compensation is essential for worker safety and security purposes, especially in hard-hat jobs like construction. The majority of workers’ compensation schemes are funded by premiums collected from individual employers by commercial insurers. However, insurance companies also want to make sure that it isn’t being abused by employees.Â
Criminal defense lawyers don’t just defend guilty people: they help their clients navigate the criminal justice system and get a fair outcome. If you are concerned about charges against you, it’s in your best interest to meet with a skilled lawyer who can provide answers and solid legal strategies for you.
What Is Worker’s Comp Fraud?
Worker’s compensation fraud is a type of insurance fraud that entails being deceptive in some way about an injury in order to receive compensation when one isn’t entitled to it.Â
Worker’s fraud is defined as intentionally making false statements in order to receive benefits. This also includes assisting someone else with a worker’s comp fraud situation or lying in support of a fraudulent claim.Â
Since the payouts can be substantial, some people might take advantage of them. They may claim debilitating pain or injuries when in reality, they were minor. An employee might provide inaccurate details about the incident so they can collect benefits they aren’t entitled to.Â
Insurance companies take fraud very seriously because it can cost them a lot of money and take money away from those who truly need it. It often requires a long, complex investigation. Insurance companies perform strict, intense investigations as part of the process of granting those funds. If they find a worker’s evidence or testimony lacking, that person could end up being charged with fraud.Â
Fraud can also happen at other levels and be initiated by employers or medical professionals. Doctors might bill clients for procedures they didn’t get or don’t need, for example.Â
LibertyBell Law can help you prove your innocence. In some cases, they can even prevent a trial from taking place by getting the case thrown out.
What Are the Consequences of Worker’s Compensation Fraud?
Any form of fraud potentially has harsh consequences. When it comes to worker’s compensation fraud, it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony in California. Working with a defense lawyer is key to getting milder sentencing or getting the case dismissed completely.Â
There are a few factors that go into determining how you will be charged for the crime if you’re found guilty. These include:
- Criminal history
- Severity of the alleged fraud incident
Those with a history of fraud, for example, may be charged more harshly. Repeat offenders violating the same code will be charged with felonies.Â
In addition, those who are convicted of this type of fraud may also need to pay restitution to the victims, such as their employers or insurance companies.Â
In short, a fraud conviction has major financial impacts as well as legal ones. Time spent in prison can affect your future prospects and lead to missed opportunities.Â
Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanors are not as severe as felonies, but they can still have a significant impact on your life.
If you are convicted of misdemeanor fraud, you may get up to a year in the county jail. The fines are up to $150,000 or twice the amount of the fraud.Â
Felony Charges
Felony charges are grave. If you get a felony conviction, you could spend up to five years in state prison. The fines are the same as for a misdemeanor, with up to $150,000 but potentially up to twice the amount of fraud, depending on which is higher.Â
How a Defense Attorney Can Help in a Fraud Case
Hiring a defense attorney is in your best interest if you are facing worker’s compensation fraud charges. A lawyer with experience defending clients against fraud charges will know exactly how to build a case for you and protect you against accusations.Â
Defense attorneys start by gathering information and evidence. They may also get in touch with the prosecutor and try to negotiate with them, depending on the situation. If all goes well, they can get the case dismissed before it reaches a courtroom.Â
If the case goes to trial, your attorney will formulate a defense on your behalf. You may also receive court training to ensure you can respond to questions in an informed way that will support your case.Â
Popular defenses include:
- There was no fraudulent intent, and the situation is the result of an honest mistake
- Lack of evidence for the conviction
However, your legal expert can tailor your defense to your unique situation. With the right law firm, you can protect your rights and reputation by getting charges dismissed or avoiding harsh sentencing.Â
Get the Best Legal Representation With LibertyBell Law
The LibertyBell Law Group’s Los Angeles criminal attorneys are aware of the negative consequences that a criminal record may have on their clients’ lives; that’s why we work hard to give you the best legal representation.
LibertyBell Law serves the entire Southern California area, including both Orange County and Los Angeles County. We are known for our passionate and skillful defense of clients from all walks of life.Â
Contact us to schedule an appointment to learn more about our California criminal attorneys! During a free consultation, you can speak with a legal expert and learn about your options.
Gina Tennen
Founder
At A Glance
- Expert legal strategist.
- Experienced in both prosecution and defense.
- Relentless fighter for her clients with results to prove it.
- Received the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers Award
- Featured in Time Magazine’s “Leaders of Criminal Defense” in the 100 Most Influential People edition.
Executive Managing Attorney Gina Tennen is a renowned leading advocate of personal liberties. Her meticulous trial preparation and exceptional ability to pursue every possible defense has earned her the admiration of clients and respect from prosecutors, judges, and other criminal attorneys all over the nation.
Lawyer Tennen began her career as a Senior Law Clerk for one of the toughest District Attorney’s offices in the country where she gained remarkable experience in juvenile crimes, elder abuse, parole hearings, child abuse, sex and other serious crimes. Her experience at the District Attorney’s Office armed her knowledge and case strategy in exploiting the other side’s weaknesses for the client’s advantage and building a rock solid defense. Criminal attorney Tennen’s experience on both sides and brilliant maneuvering throughout is evidenced in her winning track record. In fact, even before earning her law degree, she was instrumental in getting excellent results on several criminal cases outshining her peers.
A consummate strategist and top criminal attorney, lawyer Tennen works tirelessly on many high profile criminal cases. She is known as a relentless fighter who never gives up on any case. Whether the case is hers or handled by another criminal defense attorney from LibertyBell Law Group, no matter how small the case may seem she asserts that every client deserves the right to the best legal representation.
It is her deep belief and what she has built her entire career and lifelong dedication to that there is always hope for every client and every avenue should be pursued regardless of the time and energy it takes. For criminal attorney, Gina Tennen, devoting the finest criminal defense for clients is a habit and talent that you must apply and do all the time.
You demand the best defense. Take hold of your life and speak to our defense attorneys by calling 855-LAW-PRO1 (855-529-7761) now.
Founder Gina Tennen and all the sex offender attorneys at LibertyBell Law Group uphold that when the bell rings, it rings for life and liberty for all.
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