Workers' comp scams on the rise - By G. Jeffrey Aaron, Elmira Star-Gazette, NY
The illegal practice of classifying regular workers as independent contractors is popping up on an increasing number of construction sites, local union officials, contractors and scholars say.
By doing so, employers are freed of the responsibilities of paying workers' compensation, Social Security and other withholding taxes, which gives the contractor an unfair competitive advantage and robs the workers of important benefits.