Watch Out For Surveillance While On Workers’ Comp in Michigan

If you are receiving workers’ compensation in the State of Michigan, you should be aware that insurance companies may be watching you, literally. Many individuals do not realize that surveillance and activity checks are fairly common tactics utilized by insurance companies to deny claims or cut off benefits. Whether it is video evidence, social media posts, or neighbor interviews, insurers are looking for any possible excuse to argue that you are not truly disabled.

Here is some advice you should know to protect yourself.

Have We Had Insurance Companies Spy On Injured Workers In The Past?

Yes, we have had clients caught on video doing activities that their doctors have said they should not be doing. Some of these activities may include lifting heavy objects, doing yard work, or engaging in other physically demanding activities. We have seen routine activities such as grocery shopping and walking a dog. Problems arise if you are caught on video doing a physical activity that is inconsistent with your restrictions, which can be utilized out of context and presented in the worst possible light.

Can Social Media Hurt My Workers’ Comp Claim?

Unfortunately, yes. Claim adjusters actively monitor platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and possibly more, looking for any signs that a person may not be as injured as claimed. Even innocent posts can arouse suspicion and trigger a benefits review or possibly a cut-off.

We advise to lock down or at least temporarily deactivate your social media accounts while you are receiving benefits, and never accept friend requests or messages from people you do not know.

What Can I Do While On Workers’ Comp?

You are allowed to do anything that does not conflict with your claimed disability or your doctor’s restrictions. You can attend family events, enjoy hobbies, go out in public, and engage in light activity as long as everything is consistent with your medical restrictions. Problems arise when an insurance company sees activities they perceive as proving you are no longer disabled, or as disabled as you say.

How Far Will An Insurance Company Investigate?

Surveillance can be much more than a one-time check. Private investigators can go to great lengths to gather evidence. Some of these lengths may include following you to doctor appointments, parking near your home in unmarked vehicles, filming you from a distance, looking into open garages, interviewing neighbors, and more. The tactics they utilize are designed to make you uncomfortable, or to scare you.

How Do I Protect Myself From The Private Investigators While On Workers’ Comp?

If you are on workers’ comp, here are a few simple tips to help stay protected. Do not perform any task that is outside of your medical restrictions, even briefly. Be aware of your surroundings while outside or in view of others. Avoid posting on any platform of social media. Be aware and watch for unfamiliar vehicles near your home. Try to not communicate with strangers online. Finally and most importantly, live your life, but do so with caution.

What Do I Do If My Workers’ Comp Benefits Are Cut Off Due To Surveillance Or A Private Investigation?

If your benefits have been denied or cut off due to surveillance or private investigations, do not panic. These decisions can often be challenged and reversed. Contact us at 1-866-464-2889  for a free consultation, and only pay if benefits are recovered.

Injured At Work? Contact The Law Offices Of David Zimmerman For a Free Consultation

Request a Free Case Evaluation now at 1-866-464-2889. Clients Represented in Thousands of Workers’ Compensation Claims, Trials, Settlements in Metro Detroit, Michigan, Lansing, MI, Flint, MI, Saginaw, MI, Monroe, Michigan, Michigan’s Thumb and Port Huron areas. Every day we work with our clients as we go about taking care of their crucial legal issues. The trust we develop with our clients is the foundation of our relationships. At the Law Offices of David Zimmerman, our attorneys help our clients achieve their goals by offering premium legal services. We never stop working to continuously strengthen those relationships.

In most cases, you shouldn’t agree to a settlement until your doctor says that you’ve reached what’s usually called “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). This is the stage in your recovery when your condition has plateaued, and you’re not likely to improve with further treatment. In other words, you’re as good as you’re going to get.

The reason for waiting until this point is simple: You won’t be able to estimate the value of your case accurately until you know the full impact of your injuries. Will you be able to return to work? Will you have full use of your injured body part? Will you need future medical care? All of these questions must be answered before you can decide whether the settlement offer is fair.

In Michigan, for a severe injury, disability benefits will continue until you’re ready to return to work or reach MMI. If you settle your case before this point, you may be cutting your temporary disability benefits short, and the settlement offer might not account for the value of those benefits.

For many, it is surprising to learn how complicated it is to recover compensation for your damages caused by another individual or company’s negligence. One of the many important components to a worker’s compensation claim is proving the other party is at fault. Knowing what you need to do can be overwhelming, which is why you can hire an experienced and knowledgeable attorney from our law firm today.

When faced with a denied workers’ compensation claim, you first need to collect the relevant medical records and documentation to support the need for denied medical care. Then, you can enlist the help of a workers’ compensation attorney to assist with navigating the appeals process, advocating for medical benefits, and advising on increasing medical benefits through different coverage options. We understand how important it is for you to get the medical treatment you need after suffering a work-related injury. Call our law offices today to receive the assistance you deserve.

It is improper for your employer to terminate you because you have filed or may file a workers compensation claim in Michigan. Employers often refuse to contact their insurance company and advise injured workers to put the medical through your private health insurance. This is improper as well. If you sense that your employer is not turning your injury over to their workers compensation insurance company, or if they flat out tell you that they will not turn it over to their insurance company, call us for help immediately. 5869910600. This is happening more and more, and you may also have a separate claim against your employer for wrongful discharge or retaliatory discharge. Any of these scenarios are not normal and require the attention of an experienced workers compensation attorney.

Expertise.com has listed the Top 17 attorneys in Michigan for Workers’ Compensation Law. David W. Zimmerman, and the Law Offices of David W. Zimmerman are listed in the Top 17 comp lawyers in Michigan. In fact, we score an A+ for reputation and an A+ for professionalism. We are at the Top of workers compensation attorneys in Michigan. We specialize in workers comp law and we are renown for out results.

Settlements are usually how workers compensation cases in Michigan are resolved. About 95% of all cases are concluded with a redemption/settlement. The other 5% are trials or voluntary pay agreements. Voluntary pay agreements are when the injured employee returns to work for the same employer, where she/he was originally hurt or injured. Voluntary pay agreements calculate how much time the person missed, and any out of pocket expenses or mileage, and these owning monies are paid to the employee that has returned to work. This is often to referred to “a closed period.”

Now back to settlement/redemptions. We call them “redemptions” in the workers’ compensation area of law, but it is truly a full, final and complete settlement of all rights and claims. In Michigan, all benefits are usually closed with a redemption/settlement. Wage loss, and medical, are closed completely and forever. But don’t fear, after you settle a compensation case in Michigan you can go work anywhere, except for your former employer, you will sign a release that indicates that you will not reapply for work with them, as part of the settlement. Regarding medical benefits, after settlement, you can use Medicaid, Medicare or regular insurance through a new employer or through a spouse. We don’t have issues with people continuing to get treatment after a workers compensation settlement.

David Zimmerman is one of the top workers compensation attorneys in Michigan. That is based on his experience and skill in workers’ compensation courts throughout the state. He has been practicing in one area for his 28 year career as an attorney. That one area is workers’ compensation. For the first 8 years he worked for insurance companies, and companies gaining inside knowledge of the insurance industry and specifically the workers comp industry from the insurance side. Then in 2000, he went to the other side and began representing only those that have been injured at work. Now he will not represent insurance companies or companies, but only the injured workers. David Zimmerman is renowned for his efforts in representing those injured at work. He has been on both sides and knows what it takes to get the job done.

During law school at the University of Detroit Mercy, David Zimmerman clerked for 2 years, and you guessed it, he clerked for attorneys that practiced Workers’ Compensation Law. Adding all of it together, Mr. Zimmerman has 30 years of legal experience in the area of Workers Compensation.