Sec. 23.30.250. Penalties for fraudulent or misleading acts; damages in civil actions.

358 words·~2 min read·/ak/title-23/chapter-30/23-30-250

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(a)A person who

(1)knowingly makes a false or misleading statement, representation, or submission related to a benefit under this chapter;

(2)knowingly assists, abets, solicits, or conspires in making a false or misleading submission affecting the payment, coverage, or other benefit under this chapter;

(3)knowingly misclassifies employees or engages in deceptive leasing practices for the purpose of evading full payment of workers' compensation insurance premiums; or

(4)employs or contracts with a person or firm to coerce or encourage an individual to file a fraudulent compensation claim is civilly liable to a person adversely affected by the conduct, is guilty of theft by deception as defined in AS 11.46.180 , and may be punished as provided by AS 11.46.120 — 11.46.150.

(b)If the board, after a hearing, finds that a person has obtained compensation, medical treatment, or another benefit provided under this chapter, or that a provider has received a payment, by knowingly making a false or misleading statement or representation for the purpose of obtaining that benefit, the board shall order that person to make full reimbursement of the cost of all benefits obtained. Upon entry of an order authorized under this subsection, the board shall also order that person to pay all reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred by the employer and the employer's carrier in obtaining an order under this section and in defending any claim made for benefits under this chapter. If a person fails to comply with an order of the board requiring reimbursement of compensation and payment of costs and attorney fees, the employer may declare the person in default and proceed to collect any sum due as provided under AS 23.30.170

(b)and (c).

(c)To the extent allowed by law, in a civil action under

(a)of this section, an award of damages by a court or jury may include compensatory damages and an award of three times the amount of damages sustained by the person, subject to AS 09.17 . Attorney fees may be awarded to a prevailing party as allowed by law.