In a faltering economy, bogus slip-and-fall injury claims continue to sprout up. But con artists are learning about the very real consequences for attempting to extort insurance payouts for fake injuries.
After staging an accident at a local grocery store, one Jackson, Miss. grandma pled guilty to charges that she made false statements about the mishap and then tried to wrangle a financial settlement. As reported by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's office, Diane Smith poured water on the floor of McDade's Grocery, which is located on Fortification St. in Jackson. Smith then sprawled out on the floor, feigning injury.
"She did this in the presence of her daughter and granddaughter," Hood said. "This kind of activity can put a small business out of business, but I am happy for the McDades that they had video equipment to protect them. This should send a message to all cons; you never know if you'll be caught on candid camera."
Smith later appeared before Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green and admitted to the wrongdoing. Judge Green handed Smith three years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay $2,000 to the Victims Compensation Fund, in addition to $2,610 as compensation for related investigative costs.
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