IWIF Prosecutes Two Md. Claimants

Nursing assistant Barbara Polk, a resident of Baltimore County, Md., recently pleaded guilty to theft against the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund, during a workers’ compensation insurance hearing in Baltimore County District Court. Judge Robert Steinberg ordered Polk to pay $2,564 in restitution to IWIF, issued her probation before judgment, and 18 months of supervised probation.

The claimant alleged she injured herself on the job when she slipped and fell on ice. Evidence for the case was collected by the IWIF Special Investigation Unit, which revealed Polk had been employed while collecting temporary total benefits from IWIF.

In another recent case, claimant Deborah Harris of Baltimore City pleaded guilty to theft and insurance fraud against IWIF. Harris, a teacher’s aid, claimed she injured the right side of her body while trying to break up a fight between two students at a youth drug center in Baltimore County.

During a routine check by an IWIF claims supervisor, it was discovered the claimant had been working for another employer while collecting temporary total benefits from IWIF.

District Court Judge Catherine Sweeney ordered Harris to pay $1,365 to IWIF in restitution, issued her probation before judgment, and 18 months of supervised probation on both counts.