Tactics Private Investigators Use After a Workers’ Comp Claim To Say You’re Not Injured Enough
It’s true: employers and insurance companies regularly use private investigators to conduct surveillance of your activities after you’ve been hurt at work. The advice below will help you understand the tactics workers comp private investigators use to track injury victims — and what to do to protect yourself.
To speak with a work comp lawyer today, call (855) 221-2667. You can also fill out our free contact form. The call is free and the advice is free, and we can answer all of your legal questions.
Does workers’ comp hire private investigators in Michigan?
In Michigan, employers and workers’ comp insurance companies often hire private investigators to use a variety of tactics to surveillance your activities in hopes of obtaining some incriminating evidence that can be used against you. It does not matter if your claim is being paid voluntarily or if your workers’ compensation benefits have been denied.
How will they track me?
Private investigators will use video equipment to record your activities. They will call your house under false pretenses to get information. Some private investigators try to speak with your neighbors to see if you are working somewhere else. It is not uncommon to be followed from your home to the grocery store. We have even seen investigators follow clients to our office.
Will they look at my internet activity?
Yes. Employers and insurance companies will use social media websites like Facebook and X (aka Twitter) to deny workers’ compensation benefits. Investigators examine these websites looking for incriminating pictures or comments.
A picture of you sitting on a boat may not seem like a big deal, but it will be argued that it shows you are not disabled. Never post anything on the Internet that can be misinterpreted. Even innocent pictures can and will be taken out of context.
What do they look for?
Insurance companies hire private investigators to use surveillance tactics to look for a way to deny you workers’ comp benefits by claiming you are not as injured as you say you are. They will take snippets of the video out of context and try to prove in court that your injury is not real. They will tell you that they perform these investigations to stop fraud and abuse but that is not the case.
Workers’ comp private investigator tactics
Some of the tactics used by private investigators who are hired by workers’ comp insurance companies are: following people while they are running errands; going to medical appointments; sitting outside a person’s house recording video through open garage doors and windows; and reviewing social media posts.
How long does a workers’ comp investigation take in Michigan?
In Michigan, most workers’ compensation investigations, or claim decisions, typically take a couple weeks to a month. However, some cases may require more time, and insurance companies can request extensions if needed to gather further evidence.
What can I do to protect myself?
You should be cautious at all times when out in public or working around your home. Do not perform any activity beyond the restrictions set by your doctor. You should also avoid any activity that the insurance company can use against you.
Here’s a great example that you are subject to private investigators at all times. We have a client from Madison Heights, Michigan who was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair from a work accident in the 1980s. He has been receiving workers’ compensation for years and there was no current dispute about benefits. The insurance company hired an investigator to confirm that he was still in a wheelchair — 20 years after the accident.
Feel like you are being investigated after an on the job injury in Michigan? Call our attorneys now for a free consultation!
If you made a workers’ comp claim in Michigan and have questions about a private investigator spying on you or if you have questions on the tactics they are using are legal, call now (855) 221-2667 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced attorney. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you.
For more than 40 years, our lawyers have been helping people like you who have suffered from work-related injuries in Michigan. We understand the physical, emotional, and psychological hardships you are experiencing from your accident. We also have the skill, experience, and know-how to protect you and get you the best possible payout amount for your case.
To see what our own clients have to say about the caring, compassion, and communication they received from us, you can read in their own words about their experience here on our testimonials page from clients we have helped.
Remember, every work injury claim is different and must be negotiated on its own merits. Do not accept any payout amount without fully understanding your legal rights.
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