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Man who injured ankle on a dare to repay $100,000 workers’ comp

A Melbourne man who claimed he injured his ankle jumping from a work truck when it was actually hurt while leaping a bush on a dare during a night out has been ordered to repay $103,316 in workers’ compensation payments and fined $5000.

The Frankston Magistrates' Court heard last week Shannon Keating had been off work and receiving weekly compensation payments for two years after surgery for the ankle injury and associated psychological injury.

He claimed he injured his ankle jumping from a work truck at a drilling job at Mill Park.

Three years ago, his employer discovered he was actually injured jumping a bush on a dare during a night out with colleagues. They initially supported the claim that he had been injured at work that day.

Mr Keating pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments.

In another case, a hairdressing teacher who secretly worked while receiving workers' compensation payments has been ordered to repay $28,670 and fined $2500.

The Dandenong Magistrates' Court heard Lisa Watt stopped work two years ago after lodging a successful claim for a psychological injury.

An investigation later found she had worked more than 100 online shifts as a support worker between November 2019 and May 2020, earning more than $18,500. During this time, Ms Watt submitted nine certificates of capacity declaring she was not engaged in other employment.

WorkSafe Insurance Business Unit Executive Director Roger Arnold says there is no excuse for dishonesty.

"Fraudulent behaviour undermines the entire scheme and WorkSafe will not hesitate to make an example of anyone looking to cheat the system for personal gain,” he said.