View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2021/03/24/606805.htm
Angel Maces, 23, of San Jacinto, Calif., was arraigned for felony insurance fraud after allegedly misrepresenting symptoms following a work-related injury in order to receive over $42,000 in undeserved workers’ compensation benefits.
On Sept. 7, 2018, Maces, while working for a Temecula landscaping company, was reportedly laying artificial turf at a private residence in the Duarte when a piece of turf slipped and struck his knee. Maces filed a workers’ comp claim with his employer’s insurance company that same day and immediately began receiving examinations and treatment.
On April 28, 2020, the California Department of Insurance began an investigation after his employer’s insurance company suspected fraud. The investigation reportedly found Maces misrepresented the seriousness of his knee injury and his physical limitations in order to not return to work and collect $42,888 in undeserved workers’ comp benefits.
Surveillance during the investigation reportedly showed Maces conducting activities that contradicted the physical limitations he described to his doctor and his employer. On multiple occasions Maces was allegedly seen not using a cane or crutches, even though he claimed he had to use them 100% of the time because of the injury.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.