How Your Social Media Posts Can Ruin Your Workers’ Compensation Case

social media

It doesn’t matter if your workplace injury was your fault or your employer’s fault if you have workers’ compensation.

It’s because most companies have a workers’ compensation package covering their employees if they suffer from work-related injuries. Employers are also protected because most employees don’t end up using them because of their compensation.

Insurance Companies Look for Minimal Payouts

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However, the problem is that, like always, insurance companies keep looking for means to save money and deny claims. They strive to give minimal payouts where possible.

They do this by taking or rather rerecording your everyday activities to prove that you are not hurt or have fully recovered. They don’t even mind hiring an investigator to keep track of your movements.

The investigator will note whatever you do; especially doing things like visiting the gym, if you say you can’t bend your knee.

Insurance companies don’t realize that you don’t need to stay at home all the time because of your injury. They believe that you shouldn’t be enjoying yourself, and do whatever possible to prevent paying you your benefits.

Social Media Can Help Them

social media

And today the social media makes it so much easier for insurance companies to deny your claims. It’s because people tend to display everything that goes on in their lives on social media.

And to make things better, it’s usually the fun and cool things that you share on Facebook, Instagram, and so on.

You do it to show the world how awesome you are.

However, did you also know that it can backfire if you have filed a workers’ compensation claim?

You never know who’s watching you. One of the people you don’t want to watch, but who are most likely to, are insurance adjusters.

They will take note of everything you post on social media.

Or they will have their private investigator to do it for them. They are anyway trained and have the license to stalk and dig up as much information about you. It’s their bread and butter, something they do on an everyday basis.

So looking up your social media posts won’t be a massive task for them.

Your Posts Help Make Their Job Much Easier

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You’re ‘checking in’ at a restaurant or hotel lets the investigator know where to look for you. Besides, you are inviting trouble with your open declarations because investigators can record whatever you post.

Don’t think that they will not be able to see and document your posts because your settings are private. They are professionals at the game.

Your private setting won’t obstruct them from doing their job at all.

What You Can Do

The ball lies in your court.

You have to prevent them from documenting and seeing your actions, especially while filing for workers’ compensation. And you can do it by keeping your social media private when you have a case pending.

Make sure you wisely choose and put up posts on your social media accounts. Don’t post anything that may end up discrediting your case, and lead to an easier rejection.

Remember, all your insurance adjuster needs is a picture of you swimming at a beach to prove that your accident injury isn’t as severe as you claim it is.

This proof is all they need to reject, and you losing your case and even not recovering whatever rightfully owed to you.

And don’t assume that you can solve things by going to court because of the rejection. The insurance company’s lawyer will likely make you admit your photos and posts and also cross-examine you.

Yes, a workers’ compensation attorney in Burbank can help you out. However, it’s better to avoid falling into a problem in the first place. And the best way to do this is by avoiding posting anything contradictory to your injury and illness.

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