eric , sounds like you need to review your safety plan . i don't know your particulars but many young people don't know what to do in case of an accident . you should check with your insurance carrier don't under report and don't over report . you should invest in a pair of steel toe boots for him it could have prevented the accident , he may not have relized that correct ppe may have prevented that . as others have said the wages you pay may be a good investment . i think he should have returned to work as soon a possible on light duty to stay on the project or others . how you work with your people shows other workers that they will not be discarded after an accident but can continue in the work force . even if you are done with this project you will be doing others and may need his or others help again . good luck . willie
Wow what a mess this could turn out to be. I don't know what state you are in but my carrier would call what you, and he did, insurance fraud.
You've got several problems. The first thing you should do in my opinion, is make it very clear to employees that ALL injuries have to be reported IMMEDIATLY. That time span works bad for your employee. Unless he has witness', he has no way to prove this was a workplace injury. Wherever he was treated, they DID ask him if it was a workplace injury so he likely lied to them. That makes him look bad, but you as well.
But the fact that you went along, and worse yet paid him to sit at home works bad for you. That looks to the workmans comp carrier as tho you were trying to keep a workplace injury off your policy, just one claim can really make your premiums go crazy the following year.
If he used any normal health insurance (non work comp) to cover the health care, that ins co has a beef as they aren't liable for work related injuries.
I agree that an employee who wants to cheat the work comp carrier reeks of a dude that can't pass a drug test.
You are right, should of done work comp. Hopefully it won't work out bad for you. If it was me I'd pull a random UA on every employee today. Problem is, this guy has some real leverage on you now and can cause you serious and expensive trouble.
I also agree that you should talk to a lawyer, sounds pretty severe but if you own the business you have everything to lose.
JTMcC.