Legal Definitions - malinger

Definition:

Malinger (verb) - to pretend to be sick or disabled, especially in order to avoid responsibilities or to continue receiving disability benefits.

Examples:

• He was caught malingering by his boss, who saw him playing basketball when he was supposed to be at home sick.
• She was accused of malingering by her coworkers, who suspected she was faking her illness to get out of work.

Explanation: The examples illustrate the definition of "malinger" by showing how someone might pretend to be sick or disabled in order to avoid responsibilities or to continue receiving benefits. In the first example, the person was caught playing basketball instead of being at home sick, which shows that they were not actually ill. In the second example, the person's coworkers suspected that she was faking her illness, which suggests that she was trying to avoid work.