Happy Monday, dear readers! 

Have I got a story to tell you!

For years now, I have been hearing rumors from various sources about an exciting new way to combat workers’ compensation fraud, minimize case exposure, and bring files to swift and economical resolutions. The source of this power was said to be found in Hawaii.

Dedicated defense attorney that I am, I loaded up the family on a plane and began a fact finding mission. Sadly, all I found was warm beaches, friendly faces, and Mai-Tais as far as the eye could see. I came back a week later slightly tanned but with no miracle cure for workers comp to share with you.

However, I am not entirely empty-handed as I ooze into your in-box this morning. Everyone loves a good story about [alleged] workers’ comp fraud. 

Well, in this case, it isn’t some “injured” worker double-dipping between collecting temporary disability benefits and working a side gig.  It isn’t even some employer skipping on carrying a workers’ comp policy and pocketing the premiums.

In this story, workers’ comp fraud is alleged against two physicians.  Psychologist Danita Stewart is alleged to have submitted fraudulent claims for medical legal evaluations, despite not being a QME. 

The other, Dr. Catalino Dureza, had his QME designation but it lapsed.  He is alleged to have continued conducing QME exams with a lapsed license.

So now we apply what we learned on this must humble of blogs.  Do you have a case with either Dr. Dureza or Dr. Stewart as the QME?  If so you might want to check the timeline of those reports against the Medical Unit’s QME Database. 

As for your humble blogger, I will continue to investigate threats to the defense community whether they are to be found on beaches, cruise ships, or any other vacation destination.  After all, dear readers, I am here for you!