Most people have become quite acclimated to social media. The average person shares quite a bit about their life online. They may do so to communicate with loved ones or to develop a personal platform and brand. Some people even become addicted to the dopamine that they receive from social media notifications as people interact with their content.
It, therefore, makes sense that many people experiencing something challenging turn to social media to communicate their frustrations. An employee hurt on the job might file a workers’ compensation claim in pursuit of disability benefits and medical coverage. They may also talk online about what happened to them. Unfortunately, what they share on social media could theoretically affect their chances of securing full and appropriate compensation. For example, the three social media mistakes below could have major implications for someone in need of benefits.
Posting about their injury
Obviously, a major laceration or broken bone could produce dramatic images or video footage for someone to share online. The potential of getting a lot of interactions can be quite tempting. However, seemingly innocuous details shared online could end up serving as evidence against that worker in the future. Insurance companies can go through social media activity to fight a claim. It is generally advisable for individuals to avoid discussing pending insurance claims or legal matters on social media for their own protection.
Sharing positive experiences
Many people intentionally share their happiest moments and personal victories online rather than sharing their struggles. Therefore, someone might avoid posting about their injury but might share footage from a vacation or pictures from a party. Posting about any physical activities that might raise questions about the seriousness of someone’s injuries, including posts about accomplishments in the gym, could potentially undermine someone’s chances at a successful claim. Seeming too happy and healthy could also raise questions about the true impact of an injury.
Making negative statements about an employer
Particularly if a worker blames a business for their on-the-job injury or the employer has questioned the claim for benefits, a worker may have strong feelings about the situation. They may have developed negative feelings toward their employer. The internet is not the appropriate place to share that kind of information while a workers’ compensation claim remains active. In some cases, a worker’s exaggerations or overstatements might put them at risk of an employer accusing them of defamation. Other times, their conduct could violate company social media policies and put their job at risk.
The best practice for those facing a complex insurance claim or other legal matter is usually to avoid discussing the issue entirely and to minimize social media use until they resolve the matter. Learning about the factors that can affect a workers’ compensation claim may benefit employees in need of support following a job injury. Those who understand the rules can protect themselves from mistakes that could endanger their eligibility for benefits.
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