You’ve been injured on the job and are facing a significant amount of time off to recover. You’re looking into filing a workers’ compensation claim, which would help to relieve some of the financial strain stemming from your circumstances.
Nonetheless, filing for workers’ compensation isn’t always a straightforward process and there are barriers that you may have to overcome before you receive benefits. Insurers tend to over-analyze claims and may even seek to gather evidence to minimize their legitimacy in order to avoid having to pay out.
Most American adults use social media in one form or another, and as you rest and recover, you may utilize these platforms more than usual. However, it’s important to remember that your social media use could impact your claim for compensation.
Insurers can see your posts
Even if your privacy settings are tight, chances are that someone who is tech savvy can still access your social media channels. Anything that you post can potentially be twisted out of context.
For instance, you may have wanted to get out of the house for a while after weeks of resting indoors. You took a short trip with your child to the park. You took some photos of you and your family having a nice time. This is all very innocent. However, an insurer may interpret and/or portray this situation as evidence that your injury is not serious enough to prevent you from working, given the fact that you are able to enjoy yourself outdoors and remain active.
While any workers’ compensation claim remains active, it is best to limit your social media use. This is a temporary measure that can benefit you in the long run. To maximize the chances of success in your case, it will also help if you seek legal guidance.