In this time of social isolation, staying connected is more important than ever. The New York Times reported that Facebook and Instagram have enjoyed a 50% increase in usage as a direct result of the coronavirus. The average user spends 58 minutes per day on social.
Chances are, you’re probably included in this statistic, and like most people you also likely use social media accounts to share details about what’s going on in your life. It’s understandable why so many people have grown to rely on social media. After all, it offers the benefits of keeping us up to date with what is new with our friends. However, if you’re in the middle of a workers’ compensation claim, it is likely a good idea to limit or avoid social media altogether. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at exactly how social media usage can negatively affect your workers’ compensation claim.
The Role of Workers’ Comp Insurance in Ohio
In Ohio, every employer is required to carry workers compensation insurance. If you are injured on the job, this insurance is designated to pay your medical bills, injury compensation, death benefit, amputation or loss of use benefit, temporary disability, permanent partial disability benefit, change of condition, vocational rehabilitation, and multiple injury compensation.
Some claimants seek to take advantage of the system through fraudulent activity. Studies show that 1- 2% of claims are fraudulent, which costs insurance carriers billions of dollars.
Preemptively, insurance carriers often perform detailed investigations of claims. This includes monitoring of social media accounts. If an investigator believes that you lied, faked, or exaggerated your injury to obtain compensation, you could be denied compensation coverage.
Realize What Investigators Might Find on Social Media
Even if your social media account settings are set to private, there are still methods that investigators use to see what you post.
Are there pictures or videos of you engaging in a physical activity (sports, playing with a child or pet, working on a home improvement project, etc) after filing a claim for a personal injury?
Were you on vacation during the time that you were supposed to be recovering from an on-the-job injury?
Don’t post to Social Media
Before sharing or commenting, stop and reflect on how your words and pictures might be viewed by either your employer or the applicable insurance carrier. Even if you believe that what you are posting is okay, know that social media posts create misunderstandings on a routine basis.
Speak With an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; remember that?
The workers’ compensation process is complex. Let’s work together to make sure that your application to receive benefits is complete. If you have already filed and you have been denied, contact workers comp attorney Thomas Marchese now to start the appeal and get your benefits.
Under Ohio Workers Compensation laws, do not need to prove fault to bring a claim. Call today.
