Slip and fall accidents do occur, and the injuries sustained during and after a legitimate fall can be serious. But not all slip and fall claims are legit. And one example from New Jersey showed just how illegitimate some slip and fall lawsuits are, and absolutely what you should never do.
Alexander Goldinsky was caught on film faking a slip and fall while working as an independent contractor for a company in Woodbridge. And now Goldinsky has been arrested and charged with insurance fraud and theft by deception for fraudulently filing an insurance claim relating to his faked fall.
Good as Gold?
Because Goldinsky wasn’t a regular employee, perhaps he was unaware there were surveillance cameras in the company’s cafeteria. And he never thought prosecutors would catch him. As Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey described, “Goldinsky purposely threw the ice on the floor in the cafeteria at his workplace, placed himself on the ground, and waited until he was discovered.” But the video is still impressive:
Felonious Fraud
“Fraudulent claims cost everyone,” Carey added, “and we will aggressively prosecute those who illegally manipulate the system.” Prosecutors have started cracking down on all kinds of insurance fraud, which is why you should never lie to an insurance company. Even if your scheme isn’t as complicated as Mr. Goldinsky’s, filing a false claim or lying to an insurance company about the extent of your injuries or losses — even mild exaggeration — can constitute felony insurance fraud.
Insurance fraud can cost the industry over $100 billion dollars a year, and slip and fall claims are some of the most common to be filed. If you’re contemplating faking a slip and fall, learn from Mr. Goldinsky and just don’t do it. And if you have a legitimate slip and fall injury, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to talk about your legal options.