UPS Mechanic In California Pleads to Workers’ Comp Fraud

A former UPS mechanic plead guilty to workers’ compensation fraud following video evidence showing he was never injured in a reported incident.

Derrick Hodge pled to felony insurance fraud and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, two years of probation and was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Hodge was a mechanic at a UPS facility in Grass Valley. In 2023, he claimed he was injured while walking out of a door at the facility when a “microwave-sized” chunk of ice fell from the roof and struck him on the back of his head and neck, according to the Sacramento District Attorney’s office.

Hodge sought medical treatment for his injuries resulting from the incident and was eventually placed off work. In 2025, the Sacramento County D.A.’s Insurance Fraud Unit began an investigation after it was informed that Hodge was suspected of filing a false injury claim.

The unit found video surveillance showing that nothing fell from the UPS facility roof and Hodge was not injured. Surveillance video reportedly showed him engaging in activities beyond what he told his doctors he could perform following the reported injury, according to the D.A.’s office.

His fraud resulted in losses of $50,000 to UPS and Liberty Mutual Insurance for coverage of worker’s comp insurance.