Fraud is a growing problem in many organizations, costing companies millions of dollars in lost revenues and stolen resources.  Criminals are also increasingly becoming more sophisticated, capable of infiltrating companies as ordinary employees and then stealing from their employers in different ways.  One of these ways is through the filing of false worker’s compensation reports.  If companies are not careful, they could stand to lose a lot of money if the report is not assessed and checked for veracity.  To prevent this from happening, it’s often best to leave the work of verifying the correctness of the complaint to the professionals.  Here’s how to hire a worker’s compensation investigator to help you:

Ask if he is licensed.
Your state will probably not allow a worker’s compensation private investigator to work if he is not licensed to operate in that area.  Check if your P.I. is licensed to ensure that his training and certification are regulated by the appropriate agencies.  This will also assure you that you will be dealing with a professional. 

A license is also required if you need to build a case, as you would if you have to work with a worker’s compensation investigator.  Any information that an unlicensed investigator will obtain will be of no value legally.  To protect yourself and make sure that your money and efforts don’t go to waste, work only with a licensed P.I.

It’s also a good idea to check whether your P.I. is a member in any trade organization.  Being affiliated means he is up-to-date about the latest news and information about federal and state statutes in the industry.  If he is, he will be able to work within the boundaries of the law and ensure that whatever results he will produce are legal and useful.

Find someone who has a good knowledge of federal and state laws.
There are slight differences in laws and regulations covering worker’s compensation, so you might want to hire a worker’s compensation investigator who has the background and understanding of legal requirements and guidelines. 

Ask if he is insured.
Ironically, you’ll have to hire a worker’s compensation investigator who carries sufficient liability insurance.  This will keep you from spending for personal injuries and damages in case he meets an accident on the job.  Insurance coverage might not be such a concern, however, if your P.I. will be working in a case with little exposure or if he has to be unarmed.  If he will be carrying a firearm as required by the case, then ask for insurance coverage.

Hire someone with good communications skills.
The ability to communicate effectively through oral and written interviews and reports is an excellent asset for a worker’s compensation investigator.  He or she is bound to talk to you and other people pertaining your case.  If he cannot communicate well, there might be problems ascertaining certain minute details of your case.  These minute details might just cost you later, so it’s best to stick to someone who can talk and write well.

Discuss his professional rate.
Do not sign an agreement with a worker’s compensation investigator without first discussing his rates.  Although most PIs will charge you for every hour that they work, worker’s compensation and insurance claims investigator usually prefer a flat rate.  Rates vary, depending on the investigator’s experience, qualifications and the type of work that needs to be done. 

Put everything in writing.
Make sure you have a written agreement when you hire a worker’s compensation investigator.  Whatever you have discussed and agreed upon during your interviews should be included in the contract.  This will include what the P.I. is supposed to do, how much his rates will be and the maximum amount of expenses you will allow, among other things.  And when the assignment is done, always ask for a detailed written report for documentation.

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