Workers’ compensation is a vital safety net, designed to provide financial stability and medical care to employees who suffer job-related injuries. When the system works as intended, it allows families to stay afloat during a recovery period. However, in the high-stakes legal environment of 2026, the term “fraud” is often used as a weapon by insurance carriers to delay or deny legitimate claims. Understanding what constitutes workers’ compensation fraud, and how to safeguard yourself against unfounded accusations, is essential for any worker in Georgia.
At Castan, Lecca & Boeschen, we have spent over 30 years representing the injured. We have seen how a simple administrative error can be twisted into a criminal allegation. The reality of 2026 is that insurance companies are using more aggressive surveillance and data analytics than ever before to flag “suspicious” behavior. If you find yourself in the crosshairs of a fraud investigation, you are not just fighting for your benefits; you are fighting for your freedom and your reputation.
Fraud generally involves an intentional act of dishonesty to obtain financial benefits. It is important to distinguish between a mistake and criminal intent. In our practice, we see fraud categorized into three main areas:
While the National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that workers’ compensation fraud accounts for approximately $30 billion in annual losses, the vast majority of workers are honest people simply trying to heal. The problem is that the “fraud” label is increasingly applied to anyone whose recovery doesn’t follow a perfect, linear path.
In 2026, the legal system treats workers’ comp fraud with extreme severity. Depending on the amount of money involved, a conviction can range from a misdemeanor to a serious felony. The consequences extend far beyond the courtroom:
The best defense is a proactive offense. To protect your claim from being flagged, you must be meticulous in your communication and conduct.
Navigating a workers’ comp claim in 2026 is like walking through a minefield. One wrong step can blow up your entire case. This is where the experienced attorneys at Castan, Lecca & Boeschen come in.
An attorney does more than just file paperwork. We act as a shield between you and the insurance company. We ensure that your documentation is complete and that your rights are protected throughout the process. If you are wrongly accused of fraud, we have the resources to conduct our own investigations, gather expert testimony, and fight back against the insurance company’s tactics.
We have been serving the Atlanta and Norcross communities for decades, and our results speak for themselves. We offer free consultations and operate on a bilingual basis to ensure every worker gets the representation they deserve. Don’t let a fear of accusations stop you from seeking the benefits you’ve earned.
Part A (Internal Sources):
Part B (Recent External Research):
USCIS Policy on Workplace Protections (2026 Update): https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states
Preston Moore
Attorney
Preston Moore is a trial attorney whose injured clients have seen more than $30 million in settlements and jury verdicts. An alumni of Georgetown University (B.A.) and Harvard Law School (J.D.), Preston started practicing law at a multinational firm in Atlanta where he represented large corporations in high-value lawsuits. From there, Preston joined a well-respected product liability practice in Atlanta where he focused on representing two key sorts of cases: workplace product injury matters and high-limit insurance litigation. Now, Preston serves his clients by providing high-quality, no-nonsense representation for those catastrophically injured by the negligence of others, whether by settlement (where his clients have obtained over $10 million in recoveries since January 2024) or trial (where his clients have earned over $10 million in jury verdicts since 2022). Preston is loved by Jesus and attends Calvary Baptist Church in Smyrna. He lives in Kennesaw, GA with his wife, Brooks (9), Tripp (3), Emma Kate (newborn), and his Pomeranian, Birdie.
Dustin Thompson
Attorney
Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence. Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.
MICHAEL BOESCHEN
Attorney
Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA
CHRISTIAN PECONE
Attorney
ED DENKER
Attorney
ILIANA DOBREV
Attorney
Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
KEN THAXTON
Attorney
ALEXANDER LECCA
Attorney
DANIEL CASTAN
Attorney
Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C. Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993. He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.
