Thinkstock
Image

Tow Truck Driver Got Carried Away, Is Ordered to Repay Benefits

Feb. 14, 2017
A Washington man claiming a head injury prevented him from working was discovered driving a tow truck while collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

A service technician who claimed he was too injured to work but who got a job driving a tow truck pleaded guilty Feb. 10 for running a workers’ compensation scam.

Kyle Valle, 30, of Algona, Wash., pleaded guilty to felony, second-degree theft in King County Superior Court. Judge Hollis R. Hill sentenced Valle to 20 days in jail, but allowed the jail time to be converted to 160 hours of community service. Hill also ordered Valle to repay the state $12,585, the amount of disability benefits he wrongfully received.

The Washington Attorney General prosecuted the case, based on an investigation by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

“It’s shameful that people try to take advantage of the system that helps legitimately injured workers heal and get back to work,” said Elizabeth Smith, L&I’s assistant director of Fraud Prevention & Labor Standards. “Stealing workers’ comp money raises costs for the businesses and employees who support the system − and it’s just not fair. That’s why L&I is committed to finding workers’ comp scammers, and holding them accountable.”

Records Check Triggered L&I Investigation

Valle was working as a service technician for a waterproofing company when he hit his head on a support joist in Kirkland, Wash., in May 2014. Valle filed a workers' compensation claim, and medical providers verified his head and neck injuries prevented him from working full time.

An L&I check of Employment Security Department records, however, found that he was employed, even though he declared on official forms that he couldn’t work – and wasn’t working – due to his on-the-job injury.

Further investigation determined that Valle had worked as a tow truck driver for a used-car dealership in Seattle from September 2014 through early June 2015.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Navigating ESG Risk in Your Supply Chain

Sept. 26, 2024
Discover the role of ESG in supply chains, from reducing carbon footprints to complying with new regulations and enhancing long-term business value.

Understanding ESG Risks in the Supply Chain

Sept. 26, 2024
Understand the critical role of ESG in supply chains, the risks for hiring companies, and the competitive edge suppliers gain by prioritizing sustainability.

Best Practices for Managing Subcontractor Risk

Sept. 26, 2024
Discover how to effectively manage subcontractor risk with unified strategies, enhanced oversight, and clear communication for consistent safety and compliance.

Building a Culture of Support: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health in the Workplace

Sept. 26, 2024
Find best practices for setting up an organizational culture that promotes positive mental health and suicide prevention.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!