My last article dealt with a mistaken “Exaggerator” scenario (see my earlier posts). This time we are talking about a suspected “Double Dipper” and how my investigation crashed and burned.
Jack Aubrey was a roofer with a strained back who was out on Total Temporary Disability and collecting disability checks. An anonymous person (possibly Jack’s neighbor) called to report to my employer (the workers comp insurer) that Jack was doing handy man jobs for the HOA of the condo complex where he lived.
I was the adjuster assigned to handle Jack’s claim. I received the report of the call from our customer service center. First, I scrutinized the medical reports in Jack’s file. On the one hand, the doctor’s reports did not say that Jack was doing any work for the HOA. On the other hand, there was no indication in the reports that the doctor had asked him if he was working, or how Jack spent his days.
I requested copies of the intake sheets from the medical appointments, but they were really not much help. I decided to roll the dice. I hired a private investigator to check on Jack’s activities.
This seemed like an easy surveillance job because Jack was supposedly working in his own condo complex. The PI would not have to follow him away from home. I asked the PI just to check up on Jack without filming him. The PI called me, excited, and said Jack was indeed up on a ladder and doing roofing repairs. I told the PI to start filming.
Two days later, the PI had filmed Jack working on the roof for 4 hours, split over two days. The PI also called the property manager and asked about the guy doing the roofing work. The property manager told the PI the roofer was a resident who he had been paying $500 a week to do a few repairs.
With the PI’s report and video (on VHS, of course) in hand, I was sure I had my very first “double dipper”---Someone who was getting paid to do side work while cashing Temporary Disability checks. I sent a copy of the video and report to Jack’s doctor and asked him to comment. Since Jack was not represented by an attorney, I sent him a copy of the video, too.
Much to my surprise, Jack showed up at my office (he lived in the area). I met with him in a small conference room. I was surprised Jack did not seem very upset. He pulled out a shoe box and sat it on the table. He showed me what was inside---a stack of uncashed Temporary Disability checks.
Jack told me he knew it would have been wrong to cash the checks while he was getting paid so he just hung on to them. He asked, “Why didn’t you just call me and ask if I was working?” I apologized. I learned a good lesson that day----Don’t be afraid to call the claimants and ask them questions. Also, if you think you have a “double dipper”, make sure they cashed the disability checks before you spend money on a private investigator!
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