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.