Plaintiffs Must Be Careful Using Social Media When Pursuing Injury Claims
According to recent surveys, two-thirds of all American adults use Facebook, with the majority using it on a daily basis. Social media platforms are ever-growing and changing, with 78% of people under the age of 24 now using Snapchat, and 71% using Instagram. Using these platforms to make statements or post photos has become second-nature for many, and you might not realize the risks of using social media if you are in the midst of a legal battle. If you are pursuing a legal claim, especially for personal injuries, workers’ compensation, or other claims involving physical and emotional injuries, you must be cautious when using social media. Any information that you post may be seen and requested by the other side, and even information you believe is private can be discoverable.
Recently, a Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Judge granted a defendant’s motion to compel discovery, including access to the plaintiff’s Instagram account, in a personal injury lawsuit. In that case, defense counsel offered publicly viewable posts from the plaintiff’s account that seemed to show physical activity inconsistent with her alleged injuries. The facts of that case are particularly interesting because while the plaintiff’s account was publicly viewable at the time of the offered posts, she had since changed her account to private. The Judge determined that full access to the account, which plaintiff had previously denied existed, was relevant to verifying the extent of her injuries and rehabilitation.
If you are in litigation or considering pursuing a claim for injuries, you should refrain from communicating about your case or disclosing anything on the internet or social media. While you do not need to stop using social media or the internet altogether, you must be very careful about what information, videos, photographs, and so on that you post online. Like the example above, photographs and other posts can be used by the other side to argue that your injuries have not prevented you from certain activities. In addition, embarrassing or profane materials could be used to try to attack your character.
We regularly represent injured persons, and we always advise our clients of the implications of social media use when pursuing claims for workers’ compensation or personal injury matters. If you have been injured in an auto accident, slip and fall, work-related, or other accident, call our office at 610-446-3457 to set up a consultation with our attorneys. We can guide you through the process, and advise you about what you should expect and consider when pursuing your claim.
