Nicolas Carreno, former Broward County Deputy, has been arrested and accused of workers’ compensation fraud.
According to the SunSentinel, Carreno has received in excess of $533,000 in workers’ compensation for a back injury that he said made him reliant on a wheelchair. The total amount claimed as loss for his reported misrepresentation is nearly $55,000.
Carreno maintains that he has a severe back injury and lost his career as a result. He injured himself in 2007 while reaching for a laptop in his patrol car. Eight months later, he underwent surgery. According to Carreno, his condition worsened and limited his ability to walk and drive, which led to his placement under no-work status.
Carreno claims he was not able to conduct day to day activities like driving, bending and picking up light bags.
However, an investigation company has captured him driving, running errands and walking around shopping at a mall. The company recorded hours of video showing him doing many things he said he was unable to do, though it did capture him going to doctor’s appointments in his wheelchair.
Carreno’s primary care doctor said in an affidavit that Carreno was fraudulent and misrepresented himself as being injured.
Despite video and harsh words from his doctor, Carreno still notes that he said no two days were the same and he was not doing anything strenuous like playing sports.
At the law offices of Evan M. Ostfield, a Boca Raton workers’ comp attorney- we believe that this type of fraud is hurtful to employees who need workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, it is also this type of fraud that can lead an employer to deny an injured worker’s legitimate claim.
Our Broward County workers’ compensation lawyers are experienced in handling claims related to the following work injuries.
- Head, back and neck injuries
- Repetitive motion syndrome
- Heart attack and stroke
- Occupational disease
…just to name a few.
Evan Ostfeld – Boca Raton Workers’ Comp Attorney
If you believe that your legitimate workers’ compensation claim has been wrongfully denied or undervalued, contact our law offices. We can help you determine your legal options so that you get the financial compensation you need to get your life back on track.
