Ohio Nurse Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

An Ohio woman was sentenced for working as a nurse while receiving Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) funds for a prior workplace injury.

Carolann Humberston was sentenced March 12 and ordered to repay more than $11,000 she improperly collected from BWC.

“Ms. Humberston continued working as an in-home healthcare provider after her injury, and understood she was doing so in direct conflict with her workers’ comp benefits,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer. “Fortunately, she repaid those funds, and now they can be use to assist those who really need them.”

Temporary total disability benefits are usually the first form of compensation awarded during an injured worker’s recovery from a work-related injury. An injured worker cannot work and receive temporary total disability payments.

BWC’s Intelligence Unit reported that an Ohio Department of Job and Family Services wage cross match indicated that Humberston earned wages from a Columbus business during the same time period she received the BWC funds. The investigation produced evidence that Humberston knowingly worked as a nurse while receiving temporary total disability benefits.

Humberston pleaded guilty March 12 to one count of workers’ comp fraud, a fifth-degree felony. She was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for a year of community control. She was ordered to pay restitution to BWC in the amount of $11,157.03, plus court costs. Humberston presented a check for the entire amount. Community control will end upon payment of court costs.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)