Insurance Fraud
Any type of fraud is a serious criminal offense in the state of Florida, and insurance fraud is no different. Committing insurance fraud can result in lengthy prison terms and stiff conviction fines. Once an individual has been arrested for the act, their reputation and freedom can suffer significantly.
Insurance fraud can take place in different scenarios. For example, a homeowner may burn his house to recover property insurance. Insurance fraud may also occur if an employee fakes an injury so he or she may obtain worker’s compensation. Any type of false representation or omission of material fact in order to gain an insurance benefit or settlement is unlawful in Florida.
Law enforcement in Brooksville take fraud crimes very seriously, which is why it’s important for those facing charges consult an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Ashley Aulls at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. has over 20 years of experience in criminal defense. He can provide the experienced representation and guidance you may need to fight such serious charges.
Insurance Fraud Attorney in Hernando County, FL
Are you being investigated for insurance fraud in Florida? You need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A., criminal defense lawyer Ashley Aulls has over two decades of experience handling insurance fraud cases. As a result of this extensive experience, Attorney Aulls has the resources, skills, and knowledge needed to defend your case.
If you have been arrested for insurance fraud, you can trust criminal defense lawyer Ashley Aulls to handle your case professionally. To schedule a complimentary consultation, call (352) 593-4115 as soon as possible. The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. accepts cases throughout Hernando County, Sumter County, and Citrus County, Florida area.
Information Center
- What is Insurance Fraud?
- Insurance Fraud Penalties in Florida
- Additional Resources for Insurance Fraud
What is Insurance Fraud?
Insurance fraud is a term utilized to cover a broad range of offenses including:
- Life insurance fraud
- Social security disability
- Long-term disability insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Medicaid & Medicare fraud
- Commercial property insurance fraud
A typical insurance fraud case involves an individual filing a false insurance claim in an attempt to obtain an illegitimate benefit they are not entitled to. It is in an illegal act on behalf of the buyer or seller of an insurance contract.
Insurance fraud charges can stem from other several unlawful acts, such as:
Life & disability:
- Fake death claims
- Fake disability claims
- Submission of forged documents to continue a disability claim and receive benefits
Homeowner:
- Intentional damage claim
- False or inflated property damage
- False or inflated theft report
Worker’s compensation:
- Working while collecting worker’s compensation benefits
- Faking an injury
- Employer failing to carry worker’s compensation insurance
- Claiming to be injured at work when the employee was injured in another place
Health care:
- Billing for services not provided
- Submitting multiple claims for the same service
- Modifying medical records
- Waiving copays or deductibles for certain patients
Insurance Fraud Penalties in Florida
The potential penalties for an insurance fraud conviction are severe; they include expensive fines and imprisonment. If you have been arrested, it is important that you secure a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney in order to receive reduced or dismissed charges. According to Florida Statutes 817.234, a person convicted of committing insurance fraud may face:
- Up to 5 years in prison and up to $500 in fines if the fraud involves less than $20,000 (third-degree felony)
- Up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines if the fraud involves more than $20,000 but less than $100,000 (second-degree felony)
- Up to 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines if the fraud involves more than $100,000 (first-degree felony)
In addition to any criminal liability, a person convicted of violating Florida’s insurance fraud statute may also face civil penalties including:
- Up to $5,000 for a first offense.
- More than $5,000 but less than $10,000, for a second offense.
- More than $10,000 but less than $15,000, for a third or subsequent offense.
- More than $15,000 but less than $50,000 for an intentional motor vehicle crash or a scheme to create documentation of a crash that did not exist for the purposes of filing a tort claim or filing for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
These civil penalties must be paid to Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund and are used by the department for the investigation and prosecution of insurance fraud.
Additional Resources for Insurance Fraud
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud – Follow the link provided to visit the official website for Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. The organization is dedicated to empowering consumers fight and defeat fraud. Access the site to learn how to protect yourself against insurance fraud and report it.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation of Florida – Access the official website for the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation of Florida to view information about insurance fraud. The webpage explains how to identify insurance fraud and report it.
Brooksville Insurance Fraud Defense Lawyer, FL
A conviction for committing insurance fraud in Florida has serious consequences. Aside from stiff fines and imprisonment, the offense can limit employment and educational opportunities for an individual. If you have been charged with insurance fraud, it’s imperative to secure a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Hiring a trusted lawyer such as Ashley Aulls at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. will ensure your rights are protected.
Criminal charges are a serious matter, but with Attorney Aull’s experience on your side, you can be confident he will fight aggressively on your behalf. To schedule a consultation, call (352) 593-4115. The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. serves clients throughout the greater Brooksville, Hernando County, Sumter County, and Citrus County, Florida area.