Legal Representation In Minnesota And Wisconsin

Can Posting On Social Media Affect Your Workers’ Comp Claim?

On Behalf of | Feb 28, 2018 | Workers' Comp |

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and a host of other social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life for many people. Researchers say that we have an innate desire to share information about our lives with others. Roughly 80 percent of posts listed on social media outlets involve simple comments about a person’s recent activities or daily experiences. With the ease of access to post a comment at a moment’s notice, many people do not think twice about how the post may be perceived. Facebook Is Often The Gateway To The World For Injury Victims Many injured workers are recovering in the hospital, or at home without the real ability to go outside. The lure of Facebook and other forms of social media as a form of social interaction can be compelling. For injured workers, posting comments online can be problematic for a workers’ comp claim. Even with such trends as “throwback Thursday,” where people post older photos from a past event, online posts, comments and images can cause misperceptions that the insurance companies may try to use to deny a claim, or discontinue benefits. Injured workers often need to engage in some level of activity to perform daily duties.  Off-hand comments on Facebook or recent photographs can be problematic – even when they are benign as to the nature of an injury. Insurance providers may seek ways to spin the claim or image as proof of health. A snapshot or sarcastic comment offered to a friend on social media can easily be taken out of context. This is especially true when in the hands of an insurance investigator who is paid to drum up evidence to prove a worker is not injured.

Insurance Companies And Investigators Troll Social Media

Private social media investigative services have become a booming business in insurance claims, according to Bloomberg News. The insurance companies often hire third-party investigators to browse social media for evidence to be used against claimants. In some cases, a social media investigation may cause the insurance company to increase its investigatory efforts to include surveillance, hoping to find an injured worker venturing out into the yard, or to the grocery store. Navigating the workers’ compensation system can be complicated, especially when you are trying to recover from your accident or injury. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help guide you through the process and help you to obtain the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.