Woman goes to prison for workers’ comp fraud
August 1, 2011 by Fred HosierPosted in: construction safety, In this week's e-newsletter, Injuries, Latest News & Views, Workers' comp
PDF Workers’ comp cheats can be caught, as this case — and video — show.
A woman who faked a serious neck injury will spend one to three years in state prison for stealing workers’ comp benefits.
Kelly Woods, 23, claimed she suffered from a neck injury in a workplace incident at a construction company in Colonie, NY.
She alleged she had permanent fixed torticollis, a condition in which a person’s head is fixed at a 90-degree angle. Woods said her head was on her right shoulder at all times.
Surveillance video showed her freely moving her head and neck on several occasions. You can see some of the video here.
Woods pleaded guilty to third-degree insurance fraud.
She must pay $43,405 in restitution for workers’ comp benefits she illegally received.
Woods also tried to collect a $316,400 lump sum settlement from the insurance board.
When she found out she was going to be criminally prosecuted, she fled to Utah and had to be extradited.
The construction firm was a real victim in this case. Its workers’ comp premium surged after Woods’ claims.
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Tags: neck injury, prison, torticollis, workers' comp fraud
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August 9th, 2011 at 8:29 am
What can I say…I LOVE IT!!! She got what she deserved! But I hate it for the company for whom she worked because of their WC premiums going up. She should be held responsible for paying that increase also.
September 8th, 2011 at 11:00 am
If investigators could get video of all who committed WC fraud, company premiums would be close to nothing but our prisons would be full.