Postal Worker’s Successful Run on “The Price is Right” Foils Workers’ Compensation Claim

Maybe she just figured that no one would remember or that postal employees don’t watch game shows. Nonetheless, a former Fayetteville, North Carolina, postal employee was charged with workers’ compensation fraud after she appeared on the nationally televised game show “The Price is Right” and performed physical acts that she had previously told her employer she was incapable of and that prevented her from doing her job. Cathy Wrench Cashwell, the former letter carrier, pleaded guilty to fraud.

Cashwell filed a workers’ compensation claim after a 2004 shoulder injury, which she alleged prevented her from lifting mail trays into her truck. She also claimed that, due to her injury, she could not stand, sit, kneel, squat, climb, bend, reach or grasp. Because of her injuries, she was placed on full and permanent disability. In 2009, though, she became a contestant on the syndicated game show, where she was required to spin a “big wheel.” According to the indictment filed against her, she raised her arm above her head not once, but twice, an action she claimed she could not perform because of her injury.

In an interesting side note, a significant portion of the evidence against Cashwell came from her Facebook page. According to federal investigators, she had posted numerous pictures on her Facebook page, showing her lifting and carrying bags of groceries with both hands and taking part in zip lining as part of a Carnival Cruise vacation.

Authorities estimate that nearly one in three workers’ compensation claims in North Carolina are bogus. It is not uncommon for federal agencies to bring in investigators or hire private investigators to gather evidence of fraud.

Contact the Attorneys at Uliase & Uliase

At Uliase & Uliase, we have a thorough understanding of the federal workers’ compensation laws. If you have been hurt on the job and want to schedule an appointment, contact our office online or call us at (856) 310-9002. We will meet with you weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We offer a free consultation for injured workers.