It has become second nature for many people to share their everyday lives with their friends and family through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and more. From sharing vacation photos to commenting on work events, most people do not think twice before connecting to their favorite social media network and sharing their thoughts and experiences. Unfortunately, doing so can sometimes have damaging legal consequences, especially when dealing with a pending workers’ compensation claim.

In the event that you should suffer an on-the-job injury, everything you post online or on social media platforms can potentially become a significant liability and impact the outcome of your workers’ comp claim. Employers and insurance companies may use any information you post to attempt to delay or deny your claim, even if it does not directly relate to your injury. For example, if you were to file for workers’ comp and post a video of you hiking the following day, your employer may claim that your injuries are not as serious as you claim they are and seek to deny your benefits.

But I Thought My Posts Were Private!

While most social media platforms have privacy settings which allow users to control who sees their posts, these measures are not fool-proof. There are still several circumstances in which an unintended party can see your posts, such as if someone were to take a screenshot and send it to your employer or if your mutual friends should relay information. Likewise, many social media sites have features which allow friends to see posts which their friends have “liked” or commented on, making it much more difficult to know exactly who is reading your posts.

Given this uncertain privacy, it is crucial you exercise extreme caution when posting anything online during your workers’ compensation claim. Activities which can potentially raise flags to insurance adjusters or employers include:

• Traveling
• Exercising
• Working
• Making large purchases
• Lifting heavy objects
• Exaggerating your pain
• Entertaining

Get a Dedicated Workers’ Comp Advocate on Your Side

If your workers’ comp claim has been denied in relation to a social media post or for any other reason, know that you do not have to accept the denial without a fight. At Alvandi Law Group, P.C., our Orange County workers’ comp lawyers understand your situation and can provide the powerful legal support you need to maximize your eligible compensation.