Massachusetts Woman Charged with Fraudulently Collecting $23K in Benefits
- Mackenzie Coonan of Rutland faces felony charges for allegedly collecting nearly $23,000 in workers’ compensation while working at a dispensary.
- Authorities state she received wage replacement benefits for a reported head injury while simultaneously earning income from an undisclosed employer.
- She is charged with first-degree larceny, fraudulent receipt of benefits, and perjury for providing false testimony during a deposition.
- Coonan was released on a $10,000 bond pending her upcoming court appearance.
Worker Classification: The $23,000 Risk in Contractor Agreements
- Companies often use independent contractor agreements to bypass mandatory workers’ compensation and payroll tax obligations.
- However, federal and state regulators look past these contracts to the actual degree of control an employer exerts over the worker.
- If a worker lacks true independence, courts may deem the agreement a “sham,” leaving the employer liable for unpaid insurance premiums and injury claims.
- Proper verification of a contractor’s own coverage is the only reliable way to reduce this liability.
Georgia Appeals Court Weighs Revisions to Workers’ Comp Exclusivity Rules
- The Georgia Court of Appeals is reconsidering legal precedents that currently funnel workplace injury cases exclusively through administrative boards, according to reports.
- During recent oral arguments, judges expressed openness to allowing certain wrongful death claims to proceed as tort lawsuits in trial courts.
- This potential shift, stemming from a lawsuit involving a Six Flags employee, could allow more work injury cases to bypass the traditional workers’ compensation claims process.
- If revised, this ruling would significantly alter how employer liability is handled.