Artificial turf injury leads to insurance fraud charges

March 24, 2021 - RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Angel Maces, 23, of San Jacinto, was arraigned for felony insurance fraud after allegedly misrepresenting symptoms following a work-related injury in order to receive over $42,000 in undeserved workers’ compensation benefits.

On September 7, 2018, Maces, while working for a Temecula landscaping company, was laying artificial turf at a private residence in the City of Duarte when a piece of turf slipped and struck his knee. Maces filed a workers’ compensation claim with his employer’s insurance company that same day and immediately began receiving examinations and treatment.

On April 28, 2020, the California Department of Insurance began an investigation after his employer’s insurance company suspected fraud. The investigation found Maces misrepresented the seriousness of his knee injury and his physical limitations in order to not return to work and collect $42,888 in undeserved workers’ compensation benefits.

Surveillance during the investigation showed Maces conducting activities that contradicted the physical limitations he described to his doctor and his employer. On multiple occasions Maces was seen not using a cane or crutches, even though he claimed he had to use them 100 percent of the time because of the injury.

Maces self-surrendered and was arraigned on February 26, 2021. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.
Source: CA. Dept. of Insurance