This article was taken from: PropertyCasualty360.com
“Everything is not “coming up roses” for a Fontana, Calif. man who is facing workers’ compensation fraud and perjury charges.
Fifty-four-year-old Jose Cortez formerly earned a living as a gardener until Oct. 2010, when a large tree branch fell and landed on him during his shift for L. Barrios & Associates Landscaping. Cortez was then transported to a local hospital and sent home with “minor work restrictions.”
Although Cortez claimed the injuries sustained that day prevented him from completing his customary work duties, at least one person was not convinced. The following year, a tip aroused enough suspicion to initiate video surveillance of Cortez. During the course of the probe, insurance investigators observed Cortez carrying on as if it were business as usual. In fact, investigators documented at least six separate occasions when they saw him performing his normal duties as a gardener without any obvious signs of discomfort.
In Sept. 2012, investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit conducted a thorough criminal investigation, collecting surveillance footage allegedly incriminating Cortez, who was still collecting insurance benefits at the time.
“Mr. Cortez had previously stated that he was unable to perform the full range of his duties,” said Deputy District Attorney Scott Byrd, who is assigned to the case. “However, our investigation revealed that he had misrepresented the extent of his injuries and received more compensation than [to which] he was entitled.”
On Jan. 21, the prosecution filed criminal charges against Cortez, resulting in a felony arrest warrant being issued. Cortez was taken into custody outside his residence without incident by District Attorney Investigators. He was then transported and booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s West Valley Detention Center. On Jan. 22, Cortez entered a plea of “not guilty” in San Bernardino Superior Court.
If convicted as charged, Cortez could enter a system far different from workers’ compensation—namely prison, where he could serve as many as eight years.
“This type of fraud is harmful because it causes premiums that businesses have to pay to go higher,” Byrd says. “It drains business profits, which in turn costs honest workers money in raises or other benefits that they may have been eligible to receive.”
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For more information about Workers Compensation or to obtain a new policy, simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666 and we will be happy to help you.
Scurich Insurance Services did not originally write this content
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We at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California, know how troublesome it can be when you apply for an insurance quote. That is why we have launched a program that will make applying for an insurance quote 10 times easier.
Simply visit our Happy Customer Follow-Up page and select the products and services you currently have as well as the ones that you need. Once you press submit we will receive your information and the products and services that you need and one of our agents will contact you!
It’s as easy as that! If you would like to speak with someone directly you can always contact us today at 800-320-3666. Don’t forget to spread this information with your family and friends.
If the link above for the Happy Customer Follow-Up page does not load please copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://aom.imms.com/promotions/startpage.aspx?id=37
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As you may know, an insurance policy is issued for a limited time, and, at the end of that period, the insurance company renews the policy.
Renewal dates are
important times for insurance companies and policyholders. A renewal date is when a policy period expires and a new policy period begins. Renewal dates typically occur six months or one year after the policy began or the last renewal date occurred.
Policy Changes
- If the insurance company determines that the risk posed by the policyholder has changed, it may amend the policy, add restrictions or terminate coverage. General policy changes that affect all insured’s also take place at policy renewal.
Premium Changes
- A change in risk may also trigger a premium change at renewal. A policyholder who has not filed any claims may see a premium reduction, while a policyholder with several claims may see an increase.
Changing Policies
- If you find a better rate with another company or are unhappy with your company’s service, consider switching policies at renewal. You will avoid cancellation fees that may be imposed for mid-term cancellations.
Be sure to stay up to date with your current insurance policy. Not sure when you need to renew your policy? Simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666 and we will be happy to tell you.
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It’s Friday and Scurich Insurance Services would like to help you unwind for the weekend with this week’s joke of the week.
Four married guys go golfing on Sunday. During the 3rd hole the following conversation ensued:
First Guy: “Man, you have no idea what I had to do to be able to come out golfing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I will paint every room in the house next weekend.”
Second Guy: “That’s nothing, I had to promise my wife that I will build her a new deck for the pool.”
Third Guy: “Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I will remodel the kitchen for her.”
They continue to play the hole when they realized that the fourth guy has not said a word. So they ask him. “You haven’t said anything about what you had to do to be able to come golfing this weekend. What’s the deal?”
Fourth Guy: “I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just say that the foundation for the new house is being poured next Tuesday.”
For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666.
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Information taken from: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/legacyplates/index.htm
“Effective January 1, 2013, DMV will accept applications for a series of three specialized license plates that replicate plates from California’s past. Motorists will be able to choose from a minimum of three styles: yellow background with black lettering, black background with yellow lettering, and blue background with yellow lettering. (AB 1658/Gatto)
Legislation introduced the California Legacy License Plate program offering vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1950′s, 1960′s, and 1970′s. The program requires a minimum of 7,500 pre-paid applications prior to January 1, 2015.
The program is intended, in part, to give classic car collectors a way to get plates that match the era of their vehicles, the analysis said. Legacy License plates can be ordered for any year model automobile, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer. The Legacy License Plate Program will not replace the current Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plate program.”
For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666.
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