Insurance Fraud Defense in Texas

Insurance fraud is a serious crime, one that can result in one to 99 years of jail time and a fine of between $2,500 and $10,000. If you were charged with insurance fraud in Texas, the best thing you can do to protect your future is contact a Houston white collar crimes lawyer for legal assistance. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we help individuals fight the charges against them. With our team on your side, you stand a good chance of having the charges against you reduced or dropped entirely.

Types of Insurance Fraud

There are several types of insurance fraud for which a person may be charged. The most common types of insurance fraud include:

• Property Claim Fraud: This type of fraud occurs when someone falsely claims that property was lost, damaged, or stolen, or that personal property was entirely lost in a fire, in order to collect the insurance benefits associated with said property.
• Life Insurance Fraud: Life insurance fraud happens when a person tries to claim benefits for a person who is still living, or for a person to whom they have no relation.
• Workers’ Compensation Fraud: This type of fraud occurs when a person tries to collect benefits from an employer’s insurance company for injuries that did not actually occur at work.
• Automobile Claim Fraud: Automobile fraud occurs when someone claims that a vehicle was lost, damaged, or stolen in order to collect the value of the automobile. It can also occur when a person claims that more damage occurred during an accident than actually did.
• Healthcare Fraud: Healthcare fraud happens when someone claims injuries that are not real in order to obtain payments or prescription medications for said “injuries.”

Though fraud is fairly obvious and a serious offense, in order for charges to become a conviction, the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you acted with the intent to deceive. This is where a skilled white collar crimes lawyer comes in handy.

Penalties for Insurance Fraud in Texas

Under Texas law, if a person commits insurance fraud, he or she is subject to jail time, penalties, and more. The punishment for insurance fraud is comparable to the crime, and charges can range from misdemeanor to felony. For instance, if the fraudulent claim is for less than $2,500, the perpetrator may be charged with a misdemeanor, sentenced up to a year in jail, and charged a fine of up to $4,000. However, if the fraudulent claim is for more than $2,500, the perpetrator may be charged with a felony and be subject to 180 days to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Texas insurance fraud laws can be found under Texas Penal Code, Section 35.01.

Your Defense to Insurance Fraud in Texas

If you were charged with insurance fraud in Texas, your future is at stake. The best defense you have is to hire an aggressive Houston while collar crimes attorney. The right lawyer can gather evidence in your favor and present a reasonable doubt that the judge and jury cannot argue with. Build a case in your defense and reach out to The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer today. Call (281) 280-0100.