Injured worker caught playing
competative basketball
July 2014
An Adelaide paper mill worker has faced the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court after
he was found to have been playing competitive basketball while claiming WorkCover
benefits.
Sokha Khat was convicted on three counts of making a false or misleading
statement to WorkCover, receiving a suspended three-month jail sentence and fines of more than
$3000.
Khat had been claiming benefits after suffering bilateral carpal tunnel
syndrome while working in a paper mill in suburban Adelaide in January 2012, according to Adelaide
Now.
He returned to work on restricted duties after receiving medical treatment and
rehabilitation, but then told his WorkCover case manager he couldn’t complete these lighter duties because of
his injury.
An anonymous tip off to WorkCover revealed 30-year-old Khat was playing
competitive basketball during this time. 
According to Adelaide Now, Magistrate Sue O’Connor said Khat’s behaviour was
deceitful and appalling when sentencing him.
In addition to the suspended jail sentence, Khat was ordered to pay
investigation costs of $2000, prosecution costs of $800, court costs of $280 and Victims of Crime
levies.
A legal expert said that while it is common for workers to overstate their
injury, usually because they genuinely believe it is severe, it is uncommon for workers to deliberately commit
the level of fraud seen in this case.
More:-
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/sokha-khat-convicted-for-cheating-workcover-fined-3000/story-fni6uo1m-1226988895991
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