In an effort to enable employers to more accurately identify and prevent claim fraud, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. (Sedgwick CMS) and Factual Photo, Inc. (Factual Photo) have initiated an agreement whereby a subsidiary of Sedgwick CMS will acquire the operations of Factual Photo.

According to a recent press release, the agreement will be made effective on Nov. 1, 2010. Sedgwick CMS is a large independent North American provider of claim and productivity management services. Factual Photo, a national provider of investigative services for employers, insurers, and claim-management professionals, specializes in workers' compensation, disability, and other employment-related claims. Factual Photo will continue to operate under the direction of its established leadership group.

Sedgwick CMS says the acquisition represents a step in creating a comprehensive, integrated solution for the claim fraud detection, investigation, and prevention. The skill sets of the approximately 140 investigative consultants and other specialists comprising Factual Photo's team will be instrumental in addressing employers' increasing fraud-management needs. These professionals will be engaged on three different fronts: