Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation
Information Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
May 2, 2000 Christine Baker
(415) 703-4220

Commission Issues Recommendations for Campaign against Workers' Compensation Fraud

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) has issued "A Report on the Campaign Against Workers’ Compensation Fraud", containing recommendations to enhance the anti-fraud efforts.

Various laws are on the books prohibiting workers’ compensation fraud by all parties and requiring that anti-fraud warning notices be given to employees. However, there are no statutory provisions that anti-fraud notices or warnings be given to other parties, such as employers or insurers.

In order to broaden the campaign against all types of workers compensation fraud and to promote a more evenhanded approach to the problem, the Commission is recommending legislation to require notices or warnings be given to employers and insurers, similar to those given to workers. Such notices or warnings could either be specifically targeted toward employers and insurers or could be combined with the existing notices and warnings and disseminated to all parties and the public.

The Commission is charged with overseeing the health and safety and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and of the state's activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational diseases and to examine those programs in other states.

A copy of "A Report on the Campaign Against Workers’ Compensation Fraud" is available at no charge by writing to Christine Baker, Executive Officer, Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor, San Francisco, California 94102, by calling (415) 703-4220, or by faxing a request to (415) 703-4234.

Commission publications are also available through the Internet at the California Department of Industrial Relations' home page at www.dir.ca.gov. Information about the Commission may be accessed by choosing either ‘Occupational Safety & Health’ or ‘Workers’ Compensation’.

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