Maybe you enjoy the work-related content of LinkedIn, the social engagement of Facebook or the trends of TikTok. You may know very few people who aren’t engaged with social media in some capacity.
That includes your co-workers and employer. Therefore, you must be careful about what you share, especially if you’ve recently had a workplace injury.
Oversharing is risky
Workers’ compensation is insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured or made ill due to their job duties. The California Department of Industrial Relations oversees the Division of Workers’ Compensation and requires all employees in the state to carry coverage, even if they only have one employee.
Workers’ compensation insurance costs your employer money. When it’s time for renewal, if your company had too many comp claims the previous year, they can see an increase in their premiums.
Therefore, the insurance company and your employer want to ensure that your claim is legitimate. One common way they do that is by monitoring employees’ social media accounts. Seeing a picture of you at a party can be used to argue that your injury isn’t as severe as you claim. If you go to court, they can review your posts, photos, location check-ins and texts as evidence.
If you have “fear of missing out” (FOMO), you can consider the following strategies to prevent your social media activity from being used against you:
- Make sure your accounts are private. It’s no guarantee of complete protection, but it’s a starting point.
- Avoid posting updates, photos or videos that could be misinterpreted.
- Before posting, ask yourself, “Can this be used against me?”
- Don’t post any information about your case.
- Ask your friends and family not to tag you in posts or upload photos of you.
Right now, not only is social media an extension of your life, but it’s also a representation of your case. Focus on your recovery and be mindful about what you post online. If you run into issues with your workers’ comp benefits, it can be helpful to have legal guidance.
