Extended Surveillance Reveals Significant Functional Ability Inconsistent With Reported Injury
Background
This case involved a claimant who reported an arm injury that rendered him unable to work. Due to inconsistencies and concerns raised during the claim review process, the matter was flagged for surveillance. CaptureINTEL was retained to conduct expert surveillance to objectively assess the claimant’s reported physical limitations.
Surveillance Scope & Methodology
Our team conducted approximately 10 days of professional surveillance, utilizing experienced investigators trained to document functional capacity, movement patterns, and sustained physical activity. The extended duration of this investigation allowed for a comprehensive and accurate picture of the claimant’s daily abilities rather than a brief snapshot.
Key Observations & Findings
Over the course of surveillance, the claimant was repeatedly observed engaging in activities that were inconsistent with the reported arm injury:
- The claimant was seen driving without restriction, entering and exiting his vehicle with ease, and opening and closing his car door normally.
- He independently carried groceries using both arms, showing no signs of guarding, hesitation, or discomfort.
- Upon arriving at his residence, the claimant parked in front of his garage, exited the vehicle, bent at the waist to unlock the garage door, and lifted the overhead garage door with his left hand a motion requiring strength, coordination, and range of motion.
Inside and around the garage, surveillance captured additional noteworthy activity:
- The claimant gathered several frisbees and began practicing disc golf throws, repeatedly throwing discs toward a frisbee golf basket located in the rear corner of his garage using his right hand.
- The following day, he was again observed opening the overhead garage door independently and practicing additional disc golf throws.
High-Level Physical Activity Documented
Later that same day, the claimant joined a group of adult males to play a full round of disc golf outdoors. During this time, investigators documented extensive physical exertion, including:
- Twisting, turning, bending, running, and jumping throughout the course
- Walking up and down hills, through snow, and across ice-covered paths
- Demonstrating balance, agility, and coordination with no visible physical limitations
At one point, while navigating a wooded area of the course, the claimant broke into a full sprint, running across snow and ice while waving his arms overhead, a movement clearly inconsistent with the claimed injury.
Continued Activity Over Multiple Days
Several days later, continued surveillance showed the claimant maintaining this same level of activity:
- He was observed walking for extended periods, carrying a backpack, repeatedly removing and replacing it.
- He frequently bent at the waist and utilized a variety of disc golf throwing techniques.
- The claimant executed forehand and backhand throws, twisting his torso and generating force through his arms.
- He was observed jumping off the ground, balancing on one leg after throwing, and maintaining static balance positions.
At no point during these activities did the claimant exhibit signs of pain, limitation, fatigue, or compensatory behavior.
Outcome & Investigative Value
This case powerfully demonstrates the value of thorough, professionally executed surveillance. By committing the time and expertise required to document sustained behavior over multiple days, CaptureINTEL was able to provide clear, objective evidence that directly contradicted the claimant’s reported physical limitations.
The depth of documentation, variety of activities observed, and consistency of physical capability captured on video made this investigation particularly impactful. The surveillance findings escalated this file to the fraud department, and the claim was quickly dismissed. This reinforces the importance of surveillance as a key tool in protecting clients from unwarranted claims.
Conclusion
This case exemplifies how expert surveillance doesn’t just observe it reveals the truth. Through patience, precision, and professional execution, our team delivered compelling evidence that spoke for itself. It stands as a strong example of how CaptureINTEL’s investigative capabilities help clients make informed, confident decisions based on verified facts.
Surveillance Uncovers Disability Claim Fraud
Background
CaptureINTEL field investigators frequently identify fraudulent claims, with individuals misrepresenting their physical limitations while engaging in activities inconsistent with their alleged conditions. Surveillance consistently proves to be an effective method of verifying claimant credibility.
Case Overview
A rural claimant reported being wheelchair-bound and fully dependent on a spouse for mobility. Testimony and medical reports supported the assertion of total incapacitation, including inability to walk or drive.
Investigation Findings
Surveillance revealed significant discrepancies between the claimant’s reported condition and observed behavior:
- The claimant was observed driving his vehicle to within one mile of a scheduled medical appointment.
- Upon stopping, the claimant exited the driver’s seat and walked with a normal gait.
- The claimant and spouse switched positions, with the spouse driving the remaining distance.
- At the clinic, the claimant feigned immobility by crawling from the passenger seat, displaying exaggerated pain, and transferring into a wheelchair with assistance.
- After the appointment, the claimant was wheeled out of the clinic and assisted into the passenger seat. A short time later, the same switching procedure occurred, and the claimant resumed normal walking and driving.
Outcome
The evidence demonstrated clear misrepresentation of physical abilities. Key fraudulent actions documented included:
- Walking independently without assistance.
- Driving despite claiming incapacity.
- Faking immobility in medical settings.
The findings were referred to the fraud department, validating the effectiveness of surveillance in confirming claimant dishonesty.
Key Takeaways
- Surveillance provides objective evidence to confirm or refute disability claims.
- Fraud is often revealed in routine behaviors, such as travel to and from medical appointments.
- Timely collaboration with fraud departments ensures swift action once evidence is obtained.
Surveillance Confirms Workers’ Compensation Fraud in Roofing Industry
A roofing company, through its insurance agency, engaged CaptureINTEL to conduct surveillance on a former employee who was allegedly injured and actively collecting workers’ compensation benefits. The client suspected fraud, believing the subject was continuing to work off the books for his brother’s roofing company while receiving benefits.
While working a separate case in the same area, our surveillance team observed a roofing van arrive at the house directly across the street. Four individuals exited the vehicle, and one of them was immediately identified as the subject under investigation.
Over the next eight hours, our team captured clear footage of the subject performing physically demanding roofing tasks—tearing off shingles, cleaning debris, and carrying bundles up a ladder—all activities that would be inconsistent with an injury severe enough to justify workers’ compensation.
The evidence confirmed the client’s suspicions: the subject was “double dipping”—collecting benefits while also receiving cash compensation for unreported work. This clear documentation supported the client in pursuing appropriate action and helped the insurance agency mitigate fraudulent claims.
Surveillance Confirms Concerns in Child Welfare Investigation
CaptureINTEL was engaged by a client and his attorney to conduct discreet surveillance regarding the care and supervision of his two underage daughters, ages 16 and 17, who were residing with their mother. The client had growing concerns about their well-being and suspected that the mother was frequently absent, potentially leaving the children unattended for extended periods.
Our team conducted surveillance over a 12-day period, monitoring the residence for signs of consistent adult supervision. Over the course of the investigation, the mother was observed at the residence on only two of those 12 days. This absence raised significant concerns about the daughters being left alone for prolonged periods of time.
Additionally, during the course of surveillance, our team observed the 16-year-old daughter leaving the residence one morning accompanied by her boyfriend—who had stayed overnight. This further validated the client’s concerns regarding the supervision and safety of his children.
The findings provided by CaptureINTEL offered clear, factual evidence to support the client’s legal case and allowed his attorney to move forward with actionable next steps concerning custody and welfare.
This case highlights the importance of professional, ethical surveillance when child welfare is in question—ensuring that concerns are addressed with credible evidence and the children’s best interests remain the top priority.
Surveillance Exposes Workers’ Compensation Fraud, Saving Employer Over $67K
An employee claimed he had sustained a permanent injury to his lower back, neck, and both shoulders, rendering him unable to return to work. He was approved for workers’ compensation at a weekly rate of $552.86 and was eligible to receive up to 130 weeks of benefits, totaling $71,871.80.
The employee’s attorney resisted an independent medical evaluation (IME), citing COVID-19 health concerns and claiming the employee was physically incapable of walking and had a weakened immune system that prevented him from being treated in clinical environments.
With growing concerns about the legitimacy of the claim, the employer retained CaptureINTEL to conduct surveillance. Our investigation revealed clear contradictions to the employee’s assertions. He was observed walking unassisted in public on multiple occasions, including visits to a shopping mall and a casino—without wearing a mask—despite his attorney’s claims of extreme vulnerability.
Based on the evidence we provided, the employee’s benefits were terminated. A judge upheld the denial of further benefits, ruling in favor of the employer.
Results:
- Total benefits avoided: $71,871.80
- Amount paid before termination: $4,313.86
- Total cost savings to employer: $67,557.94
This case demonstrates the power of targeted surveillance in uncovering fraudulent claims and protecting employers from significant financial loss. CaptureINTEL’s timely and thorough investigation delivered clear, court-admissible evidence that led to a favorable legal outcome and substantial cost savings.
Surveillance Uncovers Exaggerated Disability Claim, Resulting in $200K Cost Savings
CaptureINTEL was engaged by an employer whose former employee claimed to be permanently and totally disabled, citing ongoing psychological and neuropsychological issues. The employee’s attorney was adamant that the claim would not settle for less than $395,000, citing the need for lifetime care and asserting that the employee lacked the cognitive capacity to maintain any form of employment.
CaptureINTEL was brought in to verify the legitimacy of these claims through targeted surveillance.
- During surveillance, the subject was observed voluntarily working at a treatment center, specifically assisting with accounting duties—a task that contradicted the alleged mental impairment.
- We were able to petition the organization to gather more details about his involvement, further confirming active work participation.
- Additionally, the treating neuropsychologist revised their opinion, stating that the subject’s traumatic brain injury appeared to be exaggerated.
This evidence significantly weakened the employee’s credibility and forced the opposing attorney to reconsider settlement. However, their initial demand only dropped to $350,000 with medical closure.
CaptureINTEL conducted additional rounds of surveillance, capturing the subject independently taking public transportation and managing various personal tasks—further proving his functional capability.
- The claim ultimately settled for $150,000, including full closure of medical and an employment law release.
- This represented a cost savings of $200,000 for the employer.
This case is a powerful example of how factual evidence and persistent surveillance can dismantle exaggerated claims and produce significant financial savings. CaptureINTEL’s thorough and strategic approach gave the client the leverage they needed to achieve a fair and reasonable resolution.
Surveillance Disproves Disability Claim, Reducing Settlement by Over 50%
An employer engaged CaptureINTEL to conduct field surveillance on an individual who claimed to be permanently and totally disabled. The claim carried a potential exposure of approximately $155,000, and the employer had reason to believe the claim was exaggerated.
CaptureINTEL’s investigation produced compelling evidence. Through both video and photographic documentation, we observed the subject actively participating in physical activities that directly contradicted his reported limitations. He was seen playing racquetball at a fitness center and walking without any visible signs of impairment—despite previously reporting significant gait issues.
Key Outcome:
- With our evidence presented during mediation, the employer was able to settle the claim for $72,000—less than half of the original exposure.
- The settlement included no future medical obligations or employment law exposure, allowing the employer to fully close the file with confidence.
This case highlights the power of targeted surveillance in uncovering misrepresented claims and providing employers with the leverage needed to negotiate favorable outcomes. CaptureINTEL’s work directly contributed to a cost savings of over $83,000 and ensured the employer avoided long-term liabilities.
