Joseph Heller's quote is as true in workers compensation as it is in real life. There are individuals, and companies, who make a living following around injured employees to "detect" the injured employee acting "not injured". In fact, the 2013 ACS yellow pages lists at least 19 such companies which is about twice as many orthopedic physicians listed.
Not surprising then that the insurance companies spend a lot of money on defense, and that amount is increasing, as the amount paid to injured workers is decreasing.
So if you were injured at work and you think someone is following you around, you probably right. Things you should look for: a man or woman walking towards you wearing baseball caps (cameras can be hidden inside), or walking around you carrying briefcases (camera inside) or a newspaper folded under his arm (camera hidden in the newspaper).
You should also be aware of people in cars. In the last case where I obtained video surveillance of my client, the "investigators" followed him from his house to his house, video'd him walking into the doctor's office, and out of the doctor's office, smoking a cigarette outside a building, and driving home again. The investigator's report claimed my client did not look injured but when I watched the video, it was obvious that he was. The Workers Compensation Board agreed with me.
I've also seen videos of my clients pumping gas and carrying milk out of the grocery store.
Try to be aware of nondescript cars or trucks that seem to be everywhere. Try to be aware of someone sitting in a car outside your home. Go out, talk to him, get his name, ask him if he's lost or looking for someone, take his photo with your phone, get his license plate number. It's a lousy private investigator who gets caught.
And look for a lawyer because the insurance company is building a case to terminate your benefits.
If you have any questions regarding your case, the Law Office of Keenan Powell provides free consultations regardless of whether or not you have been controverted. To contact Keenan Powell, use the contact form on this page or call 258-7663.
For more information about Workers Compensation, see: http://www.keenanpowell.com/faq-wc.html.