Employee secures benefits despite false Social Security numbers

According to West Palm Beach workers compensation lawyer, a Florida judge of compensation claims held that the employer did not establish a fraud defense and that the employee was entitled to permanent total disability benefits.

What it means: An employee is not barred from receiving workers’ compensation benefits where evidence establishes that the employee provided false Social Security numbers to secure employment, not to obtain benefits.

Summary: The employee filed a petition for benefits for injuries sustained in a work accident. He testified he provided two false Social Security numbers to obtain employment. The first number did not match his name, and he then “made up” a second Social Security number. Even though the employer knew he provided false Social Security numbers to obtain employment, it argued that he was barred from receiving permanent total disability benefits due to fraud. The JCC rejected the employer’s argument and awarded him benefits.