It seems like nearly everyone uses some form of social media these days, whether it’s Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. If you have been injured on the job or in an accident you may want to consider deactivating your accounts until your case is resolved. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may use information you post online against you during settlement negotiations or at trial. In fact, some companies even specialize in trawling social media accounts for information that may be damaging to an injured person’s case.
The most common way an opposing party will use information against you is to prove that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. Any photograph that shows you engaging in physical activity or even enjoying yourself will be viewed with suspicion by an insurance company or defense attorney. Even a stray post from a friend could be damaging to your case. If you’ve filed a claim for pain and suffering, a picture of you smiling may be enough to cast doubt on the extent of your pain.
The best policy to use while your claim is to quit using social media altogether, and deactivate your accounts. If you must continue using the sites, make sure you use the available privacy settings to restrict who sees your posts to as narrow a circle of people as possible. Furthermore, never discuss your injury or claim, and make a conscious effort before posting anything to think of how it might be used against you. If in doubt, don’t post!
Technology offers great benefits in communication, but also exposes a large and potentially damaging amount of personal information. If you’ve suffered an injury, the attorneys of Murphy & Garner, LLC, can advise you on the best course of action to ensure your legal rights are protected. We have over 32 years of experience serving personal injury clients in western Georgia and the surrounding area. We will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation at 866-942-0552 or 678-563-1584.
