Worker’s Compensation Surveillance
Expect worker’s compensation surveillance when you file a claim! My family found out just how intrusive worker’s compensation surveillance is after my husband was injured at work. It prompted me to write a book, “The Dark Side of Injury”. My hope is that if you walk a few miles in my shoes as you read my story, you’ll learn some things that will make filing a worker’s comp claim easier for you.
Employers and insurance companies commonly hire multiple private investigators for worker’s compensation surveillance to track activities of injury victims. Companies count on “a picture is worth a thousand words,” as they attempt to prove that you are not injured. While insurance companies claim worker’s compensation surveillance stops fraud, it’s more about denying benefits to save money.
Worker’s compensation surveillance is everywhere. While investigators aren’t allowed on your private property, they can park across the street from your house. They can follow you in a vehicle. Detectives climb trees, hide behind shrubbery and corners. Because they are in plain clothes and switch shifts, you never know when you’re being videoed or photographed. Private eyes are watching you—close your window blinds if you don’t want them to see you nude, bathing or having sex.
Worker’s compensation surveillance extends beyond just keeping an eye on your activities. Private investigators monitor your Internet activity, especially on social media sites where people share and post pictures about what they are doing. Be on guard about posting content or pictures that can be misinterpreted. It’s all too easy for innocent pictures to be misconstrued when taken out of context. Limiting online activities is a good idea.
Even when you aren’t doing anything wrong, it’s uncomfortable to be under a magnifying glass. While you are cautious about following all the restrictions set by your doctor, you never know when something will send the wrong impression. I found that keeping a detailed surveillance log was helpful. This log helps you remember the happenings on a specific day so that you can respond to erroneous charges.
Take charge of your life. Don’t allow an insurance company to unfairly deny your workers compensation benefits. Fight back. Get the tools and tips to navigate the worker’s compensation system in “The Dark Side of Injury”. And, talk to your attorney about worker’s compensation surveillance and laws in your state.