RELEASE DATE 13/04/2007
A Port Lincoln man was yesterday sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment (suspended on a good behaviour bond) for a series of dishonesty offences relating to his workers compensation claim.
The Christies Beach Magistrates Court found that Linden Frank Quick dishonestly obtained compensation in excess of $15,000.
Mr Quick was found guilty of six counts of making dishonest statements about his condition. He was found guilty of a further 20 counts of obtaining weekly payments and payments for home help by dishonest means over the period from July 2003 to January 2004.
Mr Quick maintained that he was totally incapacitated for any form of work and that rehabilitation had not been successful. However, a WorkCover investigation found him to be capable of performing physical tasks he claimed he was unable to undertake.
The court found that there was a marked difference between the defendant’s presentation to health professionals and the physical capacity of the defendant revealed by the investigation. The court found the difference could not be explained by medical or psychological evidence, and indicated conscious exaggeration.
Mr Quick was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 months with a non-parole period of five months, suspended on a good behaviour bond of $500 for two years. He was also ordered to repay the full amount of monies obtained illegally in addition to almost $10,000 in investigation costs.
The conviction of Mr Quick is the fourth successful prosecution for WorkCover this year.
In March 2007, an Adelaide man was convicted for dishonestly claiming compensation payments after returning to work and acting dishonestly while dealing with health care and rehabilitation professionals. Kosta Douvartzidis was ordered to reimburse WorkCover and pay costs – a total of $6,087 - and enter into a good behaviour bond for 18 months.
Also in March 2007, a 48-year old Port Augusta man pleaded guilty in the Port Augusta Magistrates’ Court to dishonestly claiming payments from WorkCover, after alleging that he suffered injuries in a fall at work. Investigations revealed that Anthony John Maguire sustained the injuries after drinking at a local hotel. Mr Maguire was convicted and required to enter into a good behaviour bond for 18 months, complete 80 hours of community service and reimburse WorkCover $4,806, inclusive of costs.
In February 2007, a Murray Bridge man was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to 14 counts of dishonestly obtaining compensation payments from WorkCover. Nigel Vodopivec dishonestly obtained payments over a four-and-a-half month period. He was convicted in the Adelaide Magistrates’ Court and ordered to repay the full amount of monies obtained illegally (approx. $5,000).
“These recent prosecutions should send a clear message of deterrence to others contemplating similar actions,” said WorkCover CEO, Julia Davison.
“The South Australian Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme exists to support the 38,000 South Australians who have their lives affected by workplace injury each year. Despite instances of this nature being difficult to detect, WorkCover takes fraud and deception very seriously and will actively pursue and prosecute such incidences,” said Ms Davison.
“People who take advantage of WorkCover are ripping-off injured workers who genuinely need the support of the Scheme, and the employers who fund the Scheme to protect their workers.”
Media contact: Danielle Martin, WorkCover SA – (08) 8233 2381 or 0418 295 324
Background information on WorkCover
WorkCover is funded by employers to manage a balanced and financially sound system that rehabilitates, compensates and returns injured workers to safe workplaces and the community.
WorkCover began operations in 1987 and is constituted as a statutory authority under the WorkCover Corporations Act 1994 with a Board appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the responsible Minister (now the Minister for Industrial Relations).
WorkCover is responsible for administering the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986.
WorkCover manages South Australia’s Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme on behalf of about 65,000 employers, providing rehabilitation and compensation support for an estimated 500,000 employees (about 60 per cent of the state’s workforce).
In 2005-06, there were 22,930 claims incurred by workers employed by registered employers and 14,064 claims by workers employed by self-insurers (37,465 in total):
- 79 per cent of WorkCover claimants do not have any lost time from work (less than 9 days)
- 49 per cent of WorkCover claimants return to work within 1 month
- 71 per cent of WorkCover claimants return to work within 3 months
- Out of every 100 injured workers, 82 leave the Scheme within 12 months.
Access our most recent Annual Report.