I’m going to walk you through how surveillance really works, why social media can easily trip you up, and — most importantly — what you can do to protect yourself while you’re busy focusing on getting better.
You might be thinking, "I'm not doing anything wrong — what could they possibly find?" But that’s not the right way to look at it. Once you’ve filed a workers' comp claim, anything you post online is fair game — and yes, the insurance company is paying attention.
They’re not digging around to find the full truth — they’re looking for something they can twist into a contradiction. And it doesn’t take much. Even a small inconsistency between what you post and what you’ve told your doctor or lawyer can be enough to make a mess of your case.
It’s not just about whether you’re back at work, either. A simple "Feeling better today!" post or a photo of you out with friends can plant just enough doubt to make them question how serious your injury really is.
One of the easiest ways people hurt themselves without even realizing it is by posting about their recovery. Another common mistake? Reposting old photos. That hiking trip from three years ago might look brand new to an investigator who isn’t checking dates — and they’ll run with it.
Sarcasm can trip you up too. A joke like, "Back to work soon — can’t wait! 🙄" might seem harmless, but it can easily get spun to suggest you’re ready when you’re not.
And venting about your boss, your company, or the insurance adjuster? Not a good move. Even if you feel justified, it can paint you as bitter or dishonest, which never helps when credibility matters most.
They’re basically looking for anything that doesn’t match up with what you’ve told your doctor, your lawyer, or the insurance company about your injury and what you can (or can’t) do. It doesn’t have to be a huge, obvious lie either — they just want something they can spin to make it look like you’re not being totally straight.
Here’s the kind of stuff they’re digging for:
They’re not trying to build some giant fraud case most of the time. Honestly, they just want to stir up enough doubt to make your case harder to win — or to pay you less than you deserve.
Yep — they absolutely can.
Just because your posts are set to “private” doesn’t mean they’re safe. If it’s out there, it can be found, and if it’s relevant to your injury or your claim, it can be used against you in court.
Even if your page is locked down, friends (or friends of friends) can screenshot, share, or forward your posts. It only takes one slip, and suddenly the insurance company’s looking at your stuff.
Investigators can get sneaky too — fake profiles, random tags, you name it. Even if you delete a post, it can still come back to haunt you if someone saved it.
The truth is, privacy settings just give you a false sense of security. If you really want to stay safe, your best move is to go quiet until your case is over.
When you’ve got a workers’ comp claim going, some posts are way riskier than others — and a few can seriously mess things up if you’re not careful.
The fastest way to cause trouble? Posting yourself doing anything physical. Carrying groceries, taking out the trash, lifting your kids, even just tossing a football around — to the insurance company, that looks like proof you’re healthier than you’re claiming.
Vacation shots, weekend trips, and backyard parties can raise eyebrows too. Even if you were just sitting around, pictures of you laughing and having fun don't exactly scream "serious injury" to the people watching your case.
And don’t forget — it’s not just what you post. If your friend tags you at a party or on a beach trip, investigators can still find it. To them, it’s all fair game.
Talking about side gigs or helping out with a second job is another landmine. Even if you just pitched in for a day, it could be spun into “working while collecting benefits” — and that’s a mess you don’t want.
You don’t have to go out and delete all your accounts, but honestly, it’s a really good idea to just go quiet while your workers' comp case is open.
If you really want to play it safe, you can temporarily deactivate your accounts — that way you’re not even tempted to post anything, and there’s nothing new popping up that could get twisted around.
If you don’t want to deactivate, fine — but at the very least, stop posting. Nobody needs to see your coffee runs, gym selfies, or weekend plans right now. Seriously, it’s not worth the risk.
Also, it’s smart to lock down your privacy settings as much as you can — but don’t get too comfortable. Screenshots, tags, and even old posts can still find their way into the wrong hands.
Social media isn’t the only way insurance companies keep tabs on you. Old-school surveillance is still very much a thing — and it’s probably a lot more common than you think.
Private investigators can get hired to watch your daily routine. Sometimes they’re sitting in a parked car near your house. Sometimes they’re following you around town. And with today’s tech, it’s even easier for them — some are using drones now to catch footage from a distance, so you might not even realize you're being watched.
They’re not necessarily waiting to catch you running a marathon. They're looking for anything — even small stuff — that doesn’t match what you said about your injuries. Taking out the trash, shoveling snow, lifting a grocery bag — any of that could be recorded and used against you.
If you’ve got questions about your case, your situation, or just want to run something by me, give me a call. No pressure, no hard sell — just real talk and real advice from someone who’s been doing this a long time. You can reach me, Rex Zachofsky, anytime at 212-406-8989.
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