How A SC Workers’ Comp Investigation Can Destroy your SC Workers’ Comp Claim
When you are hurt on the job in South Carolina, the reality is that your personal commitments are not likely to change. Even though you may be in pain, the grass still needs to be cut, you may have children to take care of, have a scheduled vacation, or even an upcoming family wedding. The last thing that you want to do is to have an activity or a picture taken out of context during a SC Workers’ Comp Investigation destroy your SC Workers’ Comp Claim.
In an era filled with immediate updates through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others, it is important to understand that everything you do in public and everything posted about you online may be monitored.
Workers Comp Insurance companies in South Carolina often hire private investigators to observe injured workers especially in the case of serious injury where the insurance company has more at stake. This is known as a SC workers’ comp investigation. Please know that you may be under surveillance at any time.
A Workers’ Comp Investigator Works for the Insurance Company
A SC Workers’ Comp Insurance Investigator’s main purpose is to monitor your activity and collect evidence establishing that your injuries are not as bad as you claim them to be, and/or that you are working a second job while you are receiving temporary benefits.
Avoiding Accusation of Workers’ Comp Fraud
Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. You should be completely honest in any conversation that you have with your employer, any insurance adjuster, or medical doctor that you see related to your injury. It’s just as important to make sure that you disclose all of your symptoms to the doctor. The more extensive you claim your injuries to be, the more costly your claim may be, and the greater the risk that you may be under surveillance and subject to a SC workers’ comp investigation.
SC Workers’ Comp Investigation: Documenting SC Worker’s Comp Fraud
If the insurance company or an investigator is able to collect video or other documented evidence that you are not as injured as you claim to be, or that you are working another job while you are out on workers comp, you risk immediate termination of your benefits as well as a reduction in your impairment rating. Allegations of insurance fraud can also result in criminal charges against you. Remember, even a one time out of character act may be memorialized in a picture or video forever.
SC Workers’ Comp Investigator Surveillance Methods
Methods of surveillance extend beyond traditional physical surveillance to include social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You should be aware that if your Facebook privacy settings are open, anyone can access your information, including wall posts and pictures. When viewed out of context, this information may hurt your case and affect your overall impairment rating. Similarly, information that anyone else posts about you may also be fair game.
Our South Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm will protect you and ensure that you do not unknowingly waive any important rights. We fight for compensation for your injuries.
