Many people check their social media pages throughout the day to stay updated on what’s happening with their friends and family, catch up on community gossip and discover local events.
However, it’s not just people you know checking out your status updates. And if you’re not careful, what you post could ruin your credibility and jeopardize the compensation you deserve.
The other side checks social media
What you share online may seem harmless, but insurance companies will search social media for evidence to use against you. For example, imagine you are at a family gathering with relatives you haven’t seen in a long time. You post a photo of yourself smiling with your cousins. Even if you were in pain or you left after a short visit, the claims adjuster could argue that you are not as injured as you claim. Videos and photos of physical activity can be taken out of context to suggest your injuries are exaggerated.
Along those same lines, status updates on your daily life, such as “Feeling great today!” can be used to contradict your claim of ongoing pain. Even jokes can be twisted to undermine your case.
And it’s not just what you post. Insurance adjusters will use comments and pictures from your friends and family as evidence against you.
You can take proactive steps to protect your claim. The safest option is to avoid posting altogether until your case is resolved. If that’s not possible, try to limit your use. It’s also crucial to adjust your account settings so only people you know and trust can see your posts. However, it’s important to remember that privacy settings are not foolproof.
Ask your family and friends to be cautious. Let them know not to tag you in posts or make comments about your recovery.A legal representative can guide you through your personal injury claim and help you determine what is and isn’t safe to post online. They will wo
rk hard to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.