Number of 'questionable' workers compensation claims up 28%
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The number of “questionable” workers compensation claims is increasing despite falling claim frequency, according to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Des Plaines, Ill.-based NICB on Tuesday said it received referrals for 4,460 questionable claims in 2012, up 28% from 3,474 questionable claims in 2011. Meanwhile, there were about 3.24 million workers comp claims in 2012, down 3.1% from 3.34 million claims in 2011.
The trends of decreasing comp claim frequency and increased numbers of questionable claims are expected to continue for 2013, NICB said.
The top three referral reasons for questionable claims were “claimant fraud,” “prior injury/not related to work,” and “malingering,” according to NICB's report.
