Ex‑Correction Officer Pleads Guilty in $70K Workers’ Comp Fraud
- A former New York correction officer admitted in Washington County Court to faking workplace injuries and pocketing nearly $70,000 in workers’ comp benefits.
- Former Great Meadow officer Jennifer Bardin‑Lapan said an inmate encounter left her with back, knee, and groin injuries, but video evidence contradicted her story.
- She agreed to repay $40,000 and give up future benefits.
- The New York Inspector General called it clear abuse of the workers’ comp system, stealing resources meant for genuinely injured workers.
Ohio Lawmakers Strike PTSD Workers’ Comp Amendment
- On December 11, the Ohio Legislature removed language from House Bill 338 that would have allowed corrections officers to claim Bureau of Workers’ Compensation benefits for PTSD without a physical injury.
- Business groups argued that permitting “mental‑only” claims would upend more than 110 years of workers’ comp precedent and needed full vetting.
- The Judiciary Committee agreed and took the amendment out.
- Lawmakers instead appropriated $40 million to the state’s Post‑Traumatic Stress Fund, addressing PTSD concerns without altering workers’ comp law.
Workers’ Comp Fight Adds to Firefighter’s Cancer Struggle
- An Arizona fire chief is calling for changes to the state’s presumptive cancer law after firefighter Matt O’Reilly’s workers’ comp claim was denied over a missing comma.
- O’Reilly, diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, was initially told his cancer wasn’t covered because the statute implied only respiratory cancers qualified.
- The insurer eventually reversed course, but union leaders say the law needs fixing so firefighters aren’t forced to fight for benefits while battling cancer.