Big Rig Driver Collects on False WC Claim

Truck driver Ovidio Ochoa, 43, of Hesperia, Calif., was arrested recently by CDI investigators. The San Bernardino County Superior Court issued a felony warrant on Aug. 6, 2002 charging Ochoa with six counts of giving false or misleading information regarding his claim to his insurer.

On Aug. 6, 2001, Ochoa allegedly injured his back while hitching a trailer to his truck. He claimed he was unable to continue working as a truck driver due to back pain, and began collecting workers’ comp benefits through Ward North America Inc. Investigators say during the next several months Ochoa collected more than $19,000 in disability benefits and received more than $8,000 in medical services paid for by the insurer.

It was further revealed that during this period Ochoa had actually been driving trucks for another trucking company. He had allegedly driven more than 34,000 miles, earning income in excess of $140,000.