Workcover Investigations, Workcover Fraud

WorkCover insurance is the generic term that covers both government insurance schemes and private (self insured) Workers Compensation insurance schemes. We investigate for both, phone 1300 966 103, or email us [email protected], free quotes. You suspect, we investigate. For a private investigator, private detective, experienced in WorkCover, Workers Compensation, investigations contact us.

WorkCover investigations are conducted either as part of policy, due diligence investigations, or as a result of suspicions of fraud, that the claimant is not being truthful about either the original claim or their recovery. The investigation may be covert surveillance, or overt interviews and affidavit gathering, or a combination of both. It is always recommended that covert surveillance is conducted prior to factual investigations, where practicable, to reduce the probability of the subject having their awareness aroused.

Information security is very important when conducting workplace injury investigations, a subject who is aware that their employer is conducting surveillance may alter their behaviour; the subject may also claim to feel harassed, between the employer and employee there may be less than three degrees of separation (employer, another employee, claimant).  We are contactable 24/7 via email or our online form.

Private investigator surveillance, WorkCover surveillance, is legal, when done correctly; the evidence obtained can be used for court, or negotiations. Covert surveillance is the discreet observation of an unaware subject, to observe their actions, and interactions as well as their capacities, for comparison to claimed restrictions.

It may prove or disprove the fraud suspicion, however surveillance is about time on target, so this means blocks of days. It is a standard form of investigation, that is not designed to be intrusive. The evidence obtained includes the observers notes, still photographs or video evidence. We understand the need to reach the civil standard of reasonably suspect.

Factual investigation is the overt acts of investigating; this includes talking to people, locating witnesses, formal and informal interviews, taking affidavits, the location and preservation of evidence, the obtaining of specialist examination for expert witness testimony, expert witness evidence. Basically it is the location and preservation of evidence for later production to a court.

There are times when research is required. This may be searching for a current address, making inquiries to see if there is a history to the workers claim, or to see if they are launching a new business venture of their own, whilst being on paid time off, 'injured'. This is another facet of our investigations.

Workcover Investigation

Do not, especially once a claim has been accepted, discuss an investigation with a Workcover claims manager, the Workers Compensation insurance scheme claims manager; they tend to see the WorkCover claimant as their client, not the business who pays the premium; their objective is to manage the recovery of the injured person, not to preserve the employers interest where fraud is suspected.

At this time the insurer are basically a rehabilitation coordinator, focused on the injured worker, as the claim has been accepted. Some are prone to advising the claimant the company thinks they are shamming, and is considering surveillance (it has happened!).

Any accepted Work Cover insurance claim will affect your premium, and successful civil action, a common law claim, against the company will also affect the premium (neither in a good way). Where the injury did occur at work, and the claim was accepted, generally some liability attaches to the employer. A private investigator is there to examine, under these circumstances, to record the restrictions displayed in a real world environment, for comparison to those claimed, with regards capacity.

Generally, to start a private investigation, you will need to complete our Privacy and Permission forms, acknowledge our Terms and Conditions, complete a Surveillance Profile on the subject as far as possible, advise what are the claimed restrictions, set a budget and arrange payment. The objective is to reach the reasonably suspect Workers Compensation fraud standard, with evidence.

We then complete the task and provide feedback, surveillance journals and supporting footage for surveillance investigations, or reports and affidavits or recordings, photographs, for factual investigations. Contact us for a free quote when you require WorkCover investigators.