Comedians Gareth Reynolds and Dave Anthony discuss floppers of the 1800's and early 1900's, including unusual marriages, bizarre accidents involving slips on banana peels and fake paralysis scams, self-mutilation and insurance fraud during the 1890s depression, and the chaotic state of driving regulations in the early days.
The Lawlick brothers built a massive insurance fraud operation in the 1800s and early 1900s, targeting insurance companies by creating fake accidents and employing fake claimants.
One popular method of fake accidents during the 1890s involved slipping on banana peels, while in the 1920s, the Lawlick brothers used teenage girls and x-boxers to stage accidents and bribed doctors for medical examinations.
Accident fraud in the 1920s led to a rise in insurance rates and the formation of alliances against fraud, with organizations cracking down on false injury claims and sharing information to combat the problem.
Deep dives
Fake Accident Claims and Insurance Fraud
The Lawlick brothers, Daniel and Benjamin, engage in insurance fraud by creating fake accident claims. They work as runners for an accident lawyer, but later decide to generate their own cases. They target insurance companies by setting up accidents involving cab drivers and getting people to pose as victims. The brothers also employ x-boxers and teenage girls as fake claimants. Their organization grows, and they have a network of individuals in various professions who help facilitate the fraud. The brothers make millions of dollars each year, resulting in a rise in insurance rates. However, as more people become involved in the scheme, the fraud begins to unravel.
Banana Peel Tricks and Self-Mutilation
One popular fake accident method during the 1890s involved slipping on banana peels. The fraudsters would deliberately drop a banana peel and fake an injury for insurance claims. In the 1920s, the Lawlick brothers employed teenage girls and x-boxers to participate in fraudulent accidents. They would also stage accidents, put in fake claimants, and bribe doctors for medical examinations. Their operation becomes so lucrative that normal people start looking for accident victims to refer to lawyers in exchange for referral fees. The increase in fraudulent claims leads to higher insurance rates and a widespread hunt for fake claimants.
The Rise and Unraveling of the Fraudulent Scheme
The Lawlick brothers found great success in insurance fraud, making millions of dollars annually. They expanded their network of runners, including cops, hospital clerks, and newspaper reporters, who assisted in finding potential victims. Various professionals became involved in the scheme, prompting a 20% rise in insurance rates. However, their fraudulent activities began to draw attention, causing rates to increase further. Discoveries of fraudulent cases led to arrests and prosecutions, and the fake claimants would often vanish or deny their involvement. Eventually, the Lawlick organization starts to crumble as more fraudsters attempt to run their own schemes.
The Rise of Accident Fraud
Accident fraud became a prevalent problem in the 1920s, with individuals faking injuries for financial gain. One notable case involved R. Hicks, who filed multiple insurance claims for being shot in the hand. He even pushed for amputation to increase his payout. Another example is a man who purposely crushed his leg under a train and borrowed money from a friend to buy an accident insurance policy. To combat this issue, organizations formed alliances against accident fraud, sharing information and cracking down on fraudulent claims.
The Strategies and Consequences of Accident Fraud
Accident fraud perpetrators developed various strategies, such as slipping on banana peels or deliberately falling through manholes. Some even used genetic abnormalities or pre-existing injuries to deceive insurance companies. Lawyers specialized in these fraudulent cases, and even doctors were involved in supporting false injury claims. However, efforts were made to combat accident fraud, resulting in crackdowns, arrests, and disbarments. While the heyday of accident fraud in the 1920s has passed, incidents continue to occur to this day.
