He Said He Couldn’t Walk. We Found Him Roofing Houses.
Construction worker claims he can’t work due to severe back injury. Collecting $3,000 a month in workers’ comp. Medical documentation looks solid.
But the business owner noticed something off. Social media hints. Co-worker observations. Convenient timing.
He needed proof before paying out $200,000+ over the next few years.
We got him that proof in two weeks.
Here’s how our surveillance investigation exposed workers comp fraud that would have cost this Houston company a fortune.
The Claim Looked Legitimate
What he claimed:
- Injured his back lifting heavy materials
- Severe pain and limited mobility
- Totally disabled—couldn’t work at all
- Needed $3,000 monthly for 18-24 months
The medical documentation:
- ER visit day of injury
- MRI showing herniated disc
- Doctor’s notes about pain
- Physical therapy appointments
- Pain medication prescriptions
On paper? Completely legitimate. That’s what makes workers comp fraud hard to catch without surveillance investigation.
But the Owner Was Suspicious
Red flags that suggested this might be workers comp fraud:
Timing was too convenient. Just passed over for promotion, seemed angry, then filed injury claim two weeks later.
Social media showed him lifting a cooler at a barbecue the weekend after his “injury.” Post quickly deleted.
Co-workers said he moved normally when he thought no one was watching, then limped dramatically when supervisors were around.
He missed multiple physical therapy appointments but claimed he was committed to recovery.
This was his second workers’ comp claim in three years.
The owner suspected workers comp fraud. But suspicion isn’t proof.
He needed documentation that would hold up in court. That’s when he called us for surveillance investigation.
Week 1: Watching and Documenting
What we do in surveillance investigation for workers comp fraud cases: we document everything.
First few days: Subject stayed home mostly. Used cane leaving for doctor’s appointment. Moved carefully in public.
Day 3: Went to grocery store. Walked slowly with cane going in. Came out carrying two heavy bags without cane, moving normally.
Already, our surveillance investigation was catching workers comp fraud inconsistencies on video.
Day 4-5: Pattern emerged. Careful movements in public areas with cameras. Normal movements where he felt unobserved.
Week 2: The Evidence That Nailed It
Monday morning: Subject loaded tools into his truck. Moved normally. No pain, no disability. Drove to residential neighborhood.
Then we caught it all on video:
Subject spent the entire day working a roofing job. Our surveillance investigation documented the workers comp fraud clearly:
- Climbing ladders 25+ times
- Carrying bundles of shingles up ladders
- Bending, kneeling, squatting on roof
- Using nail gun overhead repeatedly
- Working 8+ hours straight
- No back brace, no pain breaks, no limitations
Tuesday-Thursday: Three more roofing jobs. We recorded all of it.
Friday morning: Goes to scheduled doctor’s appointment. Uses cane walking in. Limps dramatically. Tells doctor he’s “still in severe pain and unable to work.”
Friday afternoon: Drives straight to another roofing job and works four hours.
Our surveillance investigation caught the workers comp fraud on video: the transformation from “disabled” patient to capable roofer in 15 minutes.
The Evidence We Delivered
After two weeks of surveillance investigation, we provided comprehensive proof of workers comp fraud:
Video evidence:
- 40+ hours showing him performing strenuous labor
- Climbing ladders repeatedly
- Lifting heavy materials
- Full range of motion with no pain
- Clear facial identification in all footage
Photos:
- Hundreds of high-resolution time-stamped images
- Multiple work sites
- GPS-tagged locations
- Multiple angles
- Zero question about identity
Documentation:
- Daily activity logs with timestamps
- Detailed descriptions of activities
- Professional written reports
- Chain of custody for all evidence
This surveillance investigation provided irrefutable proof of workers comp fraud.
The Confrontation
The business owner’s attorney scheduled a “settlement negotiation” meeting.
Instead, they presented our surveillance investigation evidence.
The worker’s attorney watched two minutes of video and asked for a recess.
The case collapsed immediately.
The worker admitted everything. Our surveillance investigation had caught him completely:
- Back injury healed within weeks
- Continued claiming disability for easy money
- Had been working roofing jobs for cash the entire time
- Lied to doctors about his limitations
- Deleted social media posts showing activity
What Happened Next
The surveillance investigation evidence of workers comp fraud led to:
Criminal charges: Workers’ compensation fraud (felony in Texas)
Financial consequences:
- Repay $18,000 already collected
- Legal fees
- Fines
Employment: Fired (obviously)
Criminal record: 5 years probation, community service, permanent felony conviction
Money saved for the company:
- $54,000-$72,000 in future disability payments
- $30,000+ in medical expenses
- $20,000+ in legal fees
- Insurance premium increases prevented
Total savings: Over $200,000
Our surveillance investigation cost: $8,500
ROI: 2,350%
That’s why surveillance investigation matters in workers comp fraud cases.
Red Flags That Suggest Workers Comp Fraud
You should consider surveillance investigation for workers comp fraud when you notice:
Timing issues:
- Claim right before termination or layoff
- Claim after disciplinary action
- Claim during busy season
Behavioral red flags:
- No witnesses to “accident”
- Vague or changing story
- Inconsistent symptoms
- Missing medical appointments
- Social media showing physical activities
Historical patterns:
- Multiple previous claims
- Pattern at different employers
- Claims during financial stress
Medical inconsistencies:
- Doctor reports don’t match claimed limitations
- Symptoms don’t match injury pattern
- Recovery unusually extended
These don’t prove workers comp fraud, but they justify surveillance investigation.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, workers’ compensation fraud costs businesses billions annually. Surveillance investigation is the most effective tool for catching it.
Why DIY Surveillance Doesn’t Work
Some business owners try surveillance investigation for workers comp fraud themselves. Bad idea.
Problems with amateur surveillance:
- You get spotted following them
- Poor quality video that can’t be used in court
- You miss crucial evidence
- Legal mistakes invalidate everything
- You get accused of stalking
- Evidence gets thrown out
Professional surveillance investigation provides:
Experienced investigators who know how to follow without being detected and understand what courts need.
Professional equipment that works in any lighting, multiple vehicles, high-resolution cameras.
Legal admissibility with proper documentation, chain of custody, and expert testimony.
Court-ready evidence that withstands legal challenges.
Check out our surveillance investigation services for how we document workers comp fraud professionally.
What It Costs vs. What It Saves
Our surveillance investigation cost: $8,500 for two weeks
What the company saved:
- Future disability payments: $54,000-$72,000
- Medical expenses: $30,000+
- Legal fees: $20,000+
- Insurance premium increases: $50,000+
Total savings: $200,000+
ROI: 2,350%
Surveillance investigation for workers comp fraud pays for itself many times over.
Plus long-term benefits:
- Deters other potential fraud (employees see fraud gets caught)
- Lower insurance premiums
- Legal protection from wrongful termination suits
- Shows you take fraud seriously
When to Call Us
If you suspect workers comp fraud, don’t wait. Surveillance investigation works best when started early.
Call us if you notice:
- Suspicious claim circumstances
- Behavioral red flags
- Social media showing inconsistent activity
- Witness reports suggesting fraud
- Pattern of claims
What we need to start:
- Subject’s basic info (name, address, vehicle)
- Nature of claimed injury
- Medical restrictions they’re claiming
- Your specific concerns
Timeline:
- Initial consultation: Same day
- Surveillance begins: Within 24-48 hours
- Typical investigation: 1-3 weeks
- Evidence delivery: Within days of completion
Cost:
- Typical case: $5,000-$15,000
- ROI: Usually 1,000%+ in savings
Check out our workers compensation investigation services for more information.
Don’t Let Fraud Cost You Hundreds of Thousands
In our case, two weeks of surveillance investigation saved over $200,000 and led to criminal prosecution.
Without surveillance investigation:
- Company pays $54,000-$72,000 in disability
- Plus $30,000+ medical expenses
- Plus increased insurance premiums
- The fraudster gets away with it
With surveillance investigation:
- Fraud exposed in two weeks
- All benefits terminated
- Criminal prosecution
- $200,000+ saved
- Message sent: fraud won’t be tolerated
If you suspect workers comp fraud, don’t gamble with hundreds of thousands of dollars.
We Can Help
At Terrance Private Investigator & Associates, we specialize in surveillance investigation for workers comp fraud throughout Houston and Texas.
We’ve documented hundreds of fraudulent claims. Our surveillance investigation evidence has saved clients millions.
We know how to catch workers comp fraud without being detected. We provide evidence that holds up in court. We testify as expert witnesses when needed.
Don’t let workers comp fraud cost your company a fortune.
Call Now: 832-404-3400
Email: getanswers@piterrance.com
Visit: www.piterrance.com
Professional surveillance investigation. Court-admissible evidence. Results that save money.
