The 48-year-old woman was undertaking secretarial and book-keeping services for a legal firm in East Sydney where she alleges she hit her head on a glass table, injuring her head and jaw.

The woman filed WorkCover compensation forms claiming the injury happened at work on 9 July 2008 and in total received $68,341.63 in workers compensation benefits during a two month period.

However a WorkCover investigation found that if an injury did happen, it actually happened before this date and the woman knew her statements were false.

The prosecution successfully argued the woman lied about the date of the injury.
It was also established that she lied when she claimed co-workers had witnessed the injury.

WorkCover’s Operational General Manager of the Workers Compensation Insurance Division Geniere Aplin said workers compensation fraud was a serious offence.

“WorkCover, and the Workers Compensation System, helps injured workers usually at times of great need,” Ms Aplin said.

“Employers pay their premiums to ensure workers injured during the course of their employment receive the right level of care and income support while unable to work.

“It is essential that all who participate in the system act honestly so that the scheme remains affordable, and injured workers are cared for appropriately.

“WorkCover will take the steps are necessary to protect the system from abuse by anyone dishonestly claiming benefits.”