Former Calif. Nordstrom Employee Shops for Fraud

Levi Scott Adams, 23, of San Mateo, was arrested recently by investigators from the California Department of Insurance’s Fraud Division and the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office on three felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud and one felony count of grand theft. Adams was booked into the San Mateo county jail.

The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, and if he is convicted on all counts Adams could face up to five years in state prison and/or a maximum fine of $50,000.

On Aug. 7, 2004, Adams reportedly injured his right knee and right ankle when he slipped and fell down stairs inside the Nordstrom department store at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. Adams had been a fine jewelry salesperson with Nordstrom for approximately one month. He was initially placed off the work schedule as a result of this injury and began receiving Temporary Total Disability (TDD) payments.

Adams reportedly told Nordstrom representatives and his treating physicians that he could not walk without the use of his crutches or a knee brace. He further reported pain in his lower back during the claims process and began treatments with a chiropractor. Adams was subsequently returned to work in a modified capacity.

Although Adams used his crutches when he went to medical appointments and work, he was reportedly observed not using his crutches or knee brace outside of those environments.

After two of Adams’ treating physicians concluded that his subjective complaints to them were inconsistent with his apparent physical capabilities, Nordstrom discontinued TTD benefits to Adams and he was terminated for unethical behavior.

Adams’ allegedly fraudulent workers’ comp claim totaled more than $7,560.