Malingering

What Does Malingering Mean?

Malingering refers to the act of faking an injury or illness, often with the intent of collecting disability benefits. If an insurance company suspects malingering, it may file a lawsuit to recover the benefits it has paid out. To win such a lawsuit, the insurance company must provide sufficient evidence to prove that the person is indeed faking the injury or illness. This kind of fraud is a particular concern for insurers offering disability insurance, since claims can run for years if the policyholder is genuinely unable to work.

Insuranceopedia Explains Malingering

There are several ways to prove that a policyholder has been malingering. For example, a malingerer may post photos of themselves waterskiing on social media while claiming to be too injured to work. A person may attempt to fake a wide range of injuries or illnesses, from heart disease to lower back pain. Workers compensation insurers also see malingering cases, often involving employees who keep claiming wage-replacement benefits after they are physically able to return to the job. In some cases, however, it can be difficult for an insurance company to prove malingering, even if it strongly believes the individual is faking their condition.