Worker convicted over $75,000 compensation fraud
07 May 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
A worker who used falsified certificates of capacity to obtain workers compensation has been convicted and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work.
James Primmer, 36, pleaded guilty to one charge of fraudulently obtaining payments. The Geelong Magistrates' Court sentenced him on Monday 29 April to a 12-month Community Corrections Order, including the unpaid community work requirement.
The court heard Primmer started receiving workers compensation following injuries to his lower back and leg in 2014. He continued to receive weekly payments until a WorkSafe investigation found that all injury compensation paid to him after May 2021 relied on falsified certificates of capacity.
Investigators also found Primmer had worked for three different employers between June 2021 and February 2022 without disclosing that work to his insurer.
Return to Work Victoria Executive Director Jason Lardelli described fraudulent behaviour as relatively rare but deeply disappointing.
"Injured workers rely on us to provide support and help them return to work and it is simply unacceptable to fraudulently take money intended for those in legitimate need," Mr Lardelli said.
"Thankfully, the vast majority do the right thing, but those who deliberately try to deceive the system for personal gain will be found."