| Q: I have a loved one who has been murdered. Her killer is being prosecuted by your office. I am having trouble sleeping at night. Is there any counseling available to me? |
| Q: I have been approached by someone who says they are a customer service representative for a legal office or medical provider. He told me that I can receive a bonus for referring injured employees to them. Is this legal? |
| Q: I have been injured at work and my employer says we dont have Workers Compensation insurance. What should I do? |
| Q: I have been subpoenaed by the DA to appear as a witness in a criminal case. Will I be paid witness fees? |
| Q: I have discovered that someone has dumped what I think is hazardous waste in an inappropriate location? What can I do? |
| Q: I have information that someone I know is trying to defraud their automobile insurance company. To whom should I report this? |
| Q: I have questions about a small claims case. Who can help me? |
| Q: I have seen the defense attorney representing the person who killed my friend on TV many times. How will it be possible for a prosecutor to prove her case against such an accomplished and high profile attorney? |
| Q: I have some information that someone I know is defrauding the Workers Compensation system by receiving benefits for a phony injury. If I want to report this, what should I do? |
| Q: I need child support. Can the DAs Office help me? |
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| Q: I have a loved one who has been murdered. Her killer is being prosecuted by your office. I am having trouble sleeping at night. Is there any counseling available to me? |
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A: Please contact a Victim-Witness Advocate and you will be assisted in getting the help you need.
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| Q: I have been approached by someone who says they are a customer service representative for a legal office or medical provider. He told me that I can receive a bonus for referring injured employees to them. Is this legal? |
| A: It is illegal in California to refer someone to a medical professional for a commission or to be paid for going to a doctor or chiropractor for treatment. The medical or legal provider, the marketer or capper, and even the patient could be guilty of fraud and be sent to state prison. If someone approaches you at work, report it to your employer immediately. |
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| Q: I have been injured at work and my employer says we dont have Workers Compensation insurance. What should I do? |
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A: All employers are required to have workers' compensation insurance coverage to pay for medical expenses and to pay for any disabilities a worker receives from an injury at work. If the employer has workers' compensation insurance, all medical expenses, salary replacement payments and compensation for disability are paid by the insurance company.
An injured worker who learns his employer doesn't have insurance should first seek any necessary medical treatment and then call the State Department of Insurance Fraud Division at 714-712-7600, or the District Attorney's Workers' Compensation Unit at 714-648-3650.
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| Q: I have been subpoenaed by the DA to appear as a witness in a criminal case. Will I be paid witness fees? |
A: Whether a witness receives any witness fee is at the discretion of the court. A court may order that you receive witness fees (not to exceed $12 to $18 per day) plus reasonable and necessary expenses after testifying. Most people consider, it is the civic duty of all citizens to come to court and testify when subpoenaed as a witness to ensure a fair justice system.
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| Q: I have discovered that someone has dumped what I think is hazardous waste in an inappropriate location? What can I do? |
| A: Stay away from it. Call 911 and notify the fire department. If someone has dumped hazardous waste in an inappropriate location, they may have committed a crime. Most importantly, the hazardous waste must be immediately contained and removed by qualified technicians to mitigate any damage and protect life. Other specialist will come and conduct investigations. |
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| Q: I have information that someone I know is trying to defraud their automobile insurance company. To whom should I report this? |
| A: The California Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov has forms that can be downloaded to report a suspected fraud. While insurers are required to report suspected fraud to the Department of Insurance, an individual may use the forms to report suspected fraud to a law enforcement agency, the Department of Insurance or the Orange County District Attorneys Office Automobile Insurance Fraud Unit. Please remember that you should fill out the form as completely as possible and provide as much documentation as you can. |
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| Q: I have questions about a small claims case. Who can help me? |
A: The District Attorney is prohibited from helping you with personal lawsuits. To get information about small claims cases, call (714) 834-3584 or visit the court website at www.occourts.org.
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| Q: I have seen the defense attorney representing the person who killed my friend on TV many times. How will it be possible for a prosecutor to prove her case against such an accomplished and high profile attorney? |
| A: The deputy district attorneys assigned to the Homicide Unit are experienced professionals who have a great deal of trial experience in difficult cases. They form a team with the local police, their assigned investigator, paralegal, clerical and victim-witness advocate. Be assured that your case is in very good and competent hands. |
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| Q: I have some information that someone I know is defrauding the Workers Compensation system by receiving benefits for a phony injury. If I want to report this, what should I do? |
| A: It is a crime to make a false Workers Compensation claim or to lie on Workers Compensation paperwork to receive a benefit. False claims cost jobs in California. Because premium costs to employers have risen, some cannot afford to do business here. If you have information that someone is falsely claiming to be injured, there are many places to report it. You can report it to the employer, to the insurance carrier if you know who they are, or you can report it to the California Department of Insurance on the form on their website at www.insurance.ca.gov. When you report the suspected fraud, you should provide all the information that you have which could include pictures, statements or paperwork associated with the claim. |
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| Q: I need child support. Can the DAs Office help me? |
| A: Child Support collection is no longer a part of the District Attorneys office. These cases are now handled by Orange County Child Support Services. To get information and help regarding Child Support matters, you can call (714) 541-7600 or visit their website. |
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