Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang’s release of her Office’s 2021 Workers’ Compensation Fraud Annual Report.
The report describes progress the Inspector General’s Office made toward preventing and deterring fraud to keep the system efficient and effective. Key findings included that in 2021, the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General’s Office (WCFIG) received 1,118 complaints, opened 28 as full investigations after triage, continued 334 matters as ongoing preliminary investigations, and closed 51 for the failure to allege actionable wrongdoing or where WCFIG lacked jurisdiction. WCFIG also closed 492 matters as unsubstantiated. Lastly, WCFIG referred 213 complaints for further action to the appropriate agency or insurance carrier, including NYSIF, other investigative offices within the NYS WCB, or other interested parties. The report also details additional actions like appointing the newly created role of Attorney-in-Charge for Workers’ Compensation Fraud to strengthen the office’s handling of important cases.