Buttonwillow warehouse worker arraigned for alleged workers’ compensation insurance fraud
News: 2021 Press Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Crescencio Velasco Covarrubias, 45, of Buttonwillow, was arraigned on multiple felony counts of insurance fraud after allegedly failing to disclose prior work-related injuries in order to collect undeserved workers' compensation benefits.
Covarrubias filed a workers' compensation claim for an injury he sustained on June 26, 2017, while employed at a retail warehouse center. Covarrubias alleged he injured his left ankle, foot, heel, and back when he misstepped while sweeping. As part of the claims process, Covarrubias was responsible for reporting any prior injuries, as they could have affected the outcome of the current claim.
An investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance revealed on November 11, 2010, Covarrubias filed a workers' compensation claim, processed by a different insurance company, for a bilateral knee, neck, and back injury, along with left foot and ankle injuries. Those injuries were sustained when Covarrubias was driving a tractor shuttle loaded with almonds and was struck by another tractor shuttle. Covarrubias' injuries were treated by his primary treating physicians and he received a $90,000 settlement.
The investigation into the June 2017 injury claim found that Covarrubias not only failed to report the November 2010 injuries, but when specifically asked, he denied any prior injuries to his left foot, ankle or back. Covarrubias' fraudulent statements resulted in a loss to his employer’s insurance company of more than $87,000. If Covarrubias would have reported the injuries from November 2010, the insurance company would have conducted an investigation and likely denied or modified the current claim, thereby preventing Covarrubias from receiving benefits he was not entitled to.
Covarrubias self-surrendered and was arraigned on January 7, 2021. He is scheduled to return to court on March 15, 2021. The Kern County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting this case.
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
