Area physician sentenced for workers’ compensation fraud Print E-mail
Monday, March 7, 2005

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced an area physician, Dr. Thomas Lover, entered a guilty plea for his involvement with West Side Medical Incorporated. It is estimated that between the years of 1997 and 2002, West Side Medical defrauded BWC of $190,094.30.

At the hearing, Lover pled guilty to workers’ compensation fraud and eight other felony counts. Other interested parties, such as the Cleveland Drug Diversion Unit (DEA) and the West Shore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) also investigated West Side Medical Incorporated for illegal practices.

“The West Side Medical case further proves that Ohio will not tolerate workers’ compensation fraud,” said James Conrad, BWC’s Administrator and CEO. “Each day, BWC and its partners work to ensure the integrity of the system by seeking out those who refuse to play by the rules.”

The investigation began when BWC Special Investigations Unit (SIU) noticed West Side Medical Incorporated had falsely used the name of a physician on their documents. The physician they referenced had not worked at their facility for many years. Further, the investigation proved that West Side had repeatedly billed BWC for services that were never provided, dispensed medication to injured workers and required the injured workers to pay for the medication.

Surveillance administered by the SIU revealed that Lover, the only physician employed by the clinic, infrequently visited the office. In addition, surveillance and billing reviews exposed that injured workers who only spent a matter of moments in the facility were being charged for services.

The SIU served search warrants at 3 locations with over 30 agents involved in the process.

BWC’s SIU specializes in identifying and investigating workers’ compensation fraud. Since its establishment in 1993, the department has saved the agency over $820 million.

In 2004, the department has saved the agency approximately $126 million, the highest amount yet recorded. For every dollar spent on special investigations, BWC’s SIU identifies more than $11 in savings. The average take in a fraudulent workers’ compensation case is $34,000.

To report workers’ compensation fraud, contact 1-800-OHIOBWC or call your local BWC customer service office and ask for the fraud department. You also can submit an allegation on BWC’s Web site at ohiobwc.com.

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Media contact: Jeremy Jackson, BWC, (614) 752-7558 or Emily Hicks, (614)728-6197.